Coach Ted Rigney guided Medway High’s football team to an 8-3 record last year and a berth in the playoffs.

The 2024 season was like a breath of fresh air for the veteran players who had endured some major-league adversity and lots of disappointment in their previous seasons. 

Seniors who played for Rigney in 2024 competed for five coaches in three years, two of whom were replaced mid-season. They had four different playbooks and the Mustangs’ overall records were 2-9 in 2022 and 1-9 in 2023. Consistency was nowhere to be found.

Rigney, who was Bellingham High’s head coach for seven years, has links to five Super Bowl champions. As a Bellingham assistant for 12 years, he was part of four Bowl champions and earned another title as an assistant at Uxbridge.

“The players I had last year were a great group and they made my transition to Medway go very smoothly,’’ Rigney said. “Our goals for this season are to continue to improve and build on last year’s success. Our other objectives are to contend for the Tri Valley League Small Division championship, qualify for the playoffs, and win a tourney game.’’

Rigney lost 15 seniors from last year’s team but he’s got 11 returnees, nine of whom will start on offense and defense. 

“We’ve got players who have experience, high football IQs, they’re skilled, athletic and coachable,’’ he emphasized. “We have size in the lines, we’ve got speed, quickness and depth, and our team chemistry is also a plus.’’

Rigney’s second season at the helm will feature a balanced offense with a bit more emphasis on the run game. His 4-3 defense will be aggressive and strive to force mistakes.

Medway’s four senior captains will be key assets on both sides of the ball. They include Logan Keeny (quarterback/safety), Dylan Costa (tight end/linebacker), Jacob White (receiver/defensive back) and Aidan Tkowski (receiver/defensive back).

“They’re quality leaders, they’re communicative and supportive, and they lead by example,’’ Rigney said.

Keeny and Costa are four-year varsity competitors and White and Tkowski are in their third varsity campaigns.

“Logan is very competitive and athletic,’’ Rigney said. “He’s also fast and has a high football IQ. Dylan was the co-MVP last year in the TVL. He works hard, has great instincts, is a great tackler and a terrific team player. Jacob is a pure athlete, has good hands and is fast. He was the MVP in the TVL Small Division in basketball. He can really jump. Aidan is our go-to-guy when we need a big play. He’s got strong hands, runs good routes and is very competitive.’’

Keeny and sophomore Troy Pinkham will handle the quarterbacking chores. “Logan can throw accurately but his top strength is his running ability,’’ Rigney offered. “His field vision is excellent and he’s a smart player. Troy has good arm strength, he’s very accurate and is developing a high football IQ.’’

Costa, White and Tkowski are all talented receivers. They’ll be joined by senior Grant Hetzel, who’ll be used in the slot. “Grant moves well, is competitive and hard to cover,’’ Rigney noted.

Senior Christian Cautilli and junior Devin McCarthy will alternate in Medway’s backfield. “Christian is in his third season, he’s super-fast and quick to hit the hole. He’s 5-10, 185 pounds, has break-away speed and can get to the outside. Devin is a downhill runner who’s effective running between the tackles. He’s very coachable.’’

Senior Eamon McCarthy, who missed his entire junior year because of a knee injury, will play center. “Eamon is a solid, all-around blocker who’s strong at 5-10 and 200 pounds,’’ Rigney said. “He’s the leader of the offensive line.’’

The guards include junior Will Parella, senior Justin Pillard and junior Will Kelly.

“Will [Parella] has size at 6 feet, 240 pounds,’’ Rigney said. “A starter as a freshman, he’s an experienced power blocker. Justin has a motor that never stops. A capable all-around blocker, he’s very coachable. Will (Kelly) had a great jayvee season. His technique is phenomenal and he’s eager to learn.’’

Senior Jackson Duguay and junior Bennett Defoyd are veteran tackles. “A three-year starter, Jackson is a technically sound blocker,’’ Rigney said. “He worked very hard in the off-season. Bennett is a two-year starter who’s 6-2, 240 pounds. An aggressive run blocker, he’s very athletic.’’

Two other tackles aiming for playing time are senior Shawn Santilli and junior Pierce Conley. “Shawn is big and aggressive. He played hurt last year battling injuries. Pierce had a solid jayvee season. He’s a good pass blocker who worked hard in the off-season.’’

Five of Medway’s six defensive linemen also play on offense. Defoyd and Pillard are ends and Eamon McCarthy and junior Elijah Rymer will compete as tackles. 

“Defoyd is a very good pass-rusher and he gets his share of sacks,’’ Rigney said. “Pillard plays like a linebacker, he’s intense and his pursuit is relentless. McCarthy played linebacker last year and he’ll bring linebacker skills to the line. Elijah is a three-year veteran who’s 6-2, 250 pounds. His instincts are good and he makes plays.’’

Parella and Will Kelly will compete for playing time on the line — Parella at tackle and Kelly at end. “Both are solid players,’’ Rigney added.

Costa, Hetzel and Cautilli are top-notch linebackers. “A middle linebacker, Costa is a tackling machine,’’ Rigney said. “He’s got great instincts and he’s our leader on defense. Hetzel is aggressive and a good tackler who pursues well on the outside. An outside linebacker, Cautilli is technically sound, pursues well and is always around the ball.

Devin McCarthy and junior Alex Bosse will compete for playing time at linebacker. “Both had great jayvee seasons, they’re coachable and solid tacklers,’’ Rigney said.

A trio of Tkowski, senior James Kerls and White are adept cornerbacks. “Tkowski is very aggressive and competitive,’’ Rigney said. “White is solid and capable and Kerls is solid, technically sound, and a good tackler who’s got speed and quickness.’’

Keeny and sophomore Aidan Behan will play safety. “Keeny has good field sense and is an outstanding tackler,’’ Rigney said. “Behan was the most athletic player on the jayvees last year. He’s ready for the jump to varsity ball. He’s fast and aggressive.’’

Besides playing quarterback and safety, Keeny will handle all of the Mustangs’ special-teams chores. He’ll punt, kick off and kick field goals. “Keeny is accurate on field goals, his kickoffs end up inside the 10-yard line and his punting has improved,’’ Rigney said.

Medway’s assistant coaches include Bill Noyes (offensive coordinator), Matt Johnson (defensive coordinator), Roy Dickerson (quarterbacks/defensive backs), Rich Eustis (receivers/defensive backs), Todd Cullen (offensive/defensive lines), and Jim Finn (offensive/defensive lines).

Rigney’s coaching philosophy focuses on helping his players reach their potential in football and to become quality people.

That approach no doubt was the right formula. His first season at Medway produced eight victories compared to three wins in the two years before his arrival.

The Rigney era at Medway High will begin its second chapter on Sept. 5 when the Mustangs host Dighton-Rehoboth.