Almost everything is new for the Portsmouth High football program as the 2004 season commences Friday night at home against LaSalle. New coach Tim Coen brings a different approach to both sides of the ball.

New uniforms and new helmet decals — both inspired by the two-time NFL Super Bowl champion New England Patriots — complete the Pats reincarnation.

"I think the kids are going into the season with a great attitude," said Coen. "They're working hard. They're having fun. I think they have a lot of confidence in themselves."

Portsmouth looked good when it donned its' new attire last week against Tiverton during its Injury Fund scrimmage and felt good after thrashing the undermanned Tigers.

Portsmouth High quarterback Bobby Sewall pitches out to a runner in last week's Injury Fund outing against Tiverton.

Friday night at JFK Field, the Pats will get a chance to see exactly where they stand in the early going of the Division One slate when they face the always daunting Rams, Coen's former team.

"I think they feel they have a legitimate chance to compete with LaSalle," said Coen. "If we do what we're supposed to do, if we don't turn the ball over, we should be right there with them."

Coen is with Portsmouth after years of wanting, waiting and hoping he would get the chance to one day coach at the school where he's taught for over a decade.

Coen not only comes with a different look on both sides of the ball, he also brings a certain swagger to the Pats, which comes from several year's of success on the gridiron.

"We're very aggressive on defense. We blitz a lot. We come after you. We move around. We take chances. We play a man-to-man, we're up in your face more than you see around here," he said.

"Offensively we do a lot of misdirection stuff. We don't just pound the ball inside the tackles. We like to take it outside. And we throw more than most," Coen continued. "Hopefully we'll score a lot of points, make things exciting for the fans."

After rousing passions last year with a somewhat unexpected postseason trip last year, the Pats return several key contributors.

Junior quarterback Bobby Sewall steers the offense. Junior Adam Martens and sophomore Max Willett are both explosive runners. Jake Perry is Portsmouth's power back. Mike Palmer looks improved at receiver.

Junior Mike Krull anchors the offensive line at center. Seniors John Booth, at tackle, and James Canale, at guard, start on the right side while classmates Eric Johnson, tackle, and David Brown, guard, are on the other side.

Most of the names are the same on defense save for starting middle linebacker and heavy-hitter Matt Young.

Not to be left out, several others from the total cast of 50 varsity players will supply key or supportive contributions throughout the season.

"The quality of these kids is great. They're all great kids," said Coen.

As for the division, East Providence enters the season as the favorite to win a third straight state championship.

"They've got some tremendous athletes. They're always tough. I think they're probably the best," Coen said of the Townies.

"After that I think there are five or six teams. We're right in there," he added. "I think there's more parity that ever. We're as close as we've ever been. I don't think there will be an undefeated team by the end of the year."

At year's end and due to realignment increasing its ranks to 11 schools, the D-One playoffs have been revamped.

The top four teams in the standings will play for the Division One-A state title. The next four teams will compete for the D-One-AA title.

Portsmouth High Football Division One

2004 roster

Seniors (Captains): Mike Palmer (C), Steve Marold, Jesse Tolppa, Chris Stevens, Ian MacDonald, Eric Johnson, Matt Young (C), Brandon Dame, David Brown, James Canale, John Booth (C), Nick Valente

Juniors (Captains): Jacob Perry, Bobby Sewall (C), Terry Quick, Matt Yusen, Adam Martens, Mike Bessette, Dan Yates-Berg, Mike Krull, Robert Alber, Joe Hanna

Sophomores: Cayton Scherf, Paul Perkins, Nick Grande, Justin Grande, John Sleeper, Max Willett, Josh Zabaleta, Robert Ferris, Matt Billington, Sean Hackbarth, Andrew Myette, Brad Medeiros, Jeremy Souza, Brandon Criner, David McCarten, Chris Palmer, Chris Adams, David MacGibbon, John Moriarty, Dylan McSparren, Brian Erhartic, Alex Messina

Head coach: Tim Coen, first year

Assistant coaches: Joe Benedetti, Tom Carlson, Milton Hall, William King III; Manager: Norman Bailey

2003 record: 4-4, fourth in D-One

2003 postseason: semifinals, lost to East Providence 21-7

2004 football schedule

September

Friday, Sept. 10: LaSalle at Portsmouth, 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 17: St. Raphael at Portsmouth, 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 24: Portsmouth at East Providence, 7 p.m.

October

Friday, Oct. 8: Barrington at Portsmouth, 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 15: Portsmouth at North Kingstown, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 23: Hendricken at Portsmouth, 1:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 30: Portsmouth at Cranston West, 1 p.m.

November

Friday, Nov. 5: Portsmouth at South Kingstown, 7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 12: Classical at Portsmouth; Friday, Nov. 19: Portsmouth at Rogers, 7 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 25: Portsmouth at Middletown, 10 a.m.

BY MIKE REGO

mrego@eastbaynewspapers.com