Eager Portsmouth High football fans got their first chance to view the 2004 Patriots at home this season when the squad met up with Middletown Monday afternoon for a controlled scrimmage in town.

Portsmouth is coming off a trip to the Division One state playoffs last season and several key members of that team are back this year.

What's driving most of the anticipation, however, is the sight of Tim Coen on the sidelines.

Coen takes over the PHS reins from the embattled Bob Monteiro, giving both the program and its' fanbase a renewed vigor.

New Portsmouth High football coach Tim Coen addresses his team after Monday's scrimmage against Middletown in town.

"The kids have done pretty well. They can always do better, but I like what I see. I like their enthusiasm," said Coen, shortly after the scrimmage.

"I really like these kids. They're very enthusiastic," he continued. "They care for each other. They work hard. Things are going well."

In the wake of Monteiro's stormy departure, the hiring of Coen, considered among the state's top coaches, was likely the only way to satisfy all parties involved with PHS football.

Coen, a teacher at Portsmouth for some 15 years, has enjoyed tremendous success in each of his career stops, including at Salve Regina University and recently at LaSalle Academy.

"It's cool," he said. "I'm really excited about being here. The four years I spent at LaSalle were fun. I enjoyed it most because I got to spend time with my son (All-State quarterback, Liam).

"I'm close to a lot of these kids. It's fun to see them everyday and then be able to coach them. I almost felt like a traitor the last few years. I was teaching here and coaching somewhere else. This is my school now, my team. My only focus is Portsmouth High."

From the looks of the roughly 100 spectators on hand Monday, many in town share Coen's sentiment.

"Oh, it's been great. The response from people has been all positive, nothing negative. Of course, we haven't played a game yet," he quipped. "With this job come expectations. People expect the team to do well. This community loves football, and it's great to have that kind of support."

Coen began to prepare his charges last week with a trip to Camp Wing in Duxbury, Mass. The Patriots continued their work over the weekend with a scrimmage at Cumberland.

Tonight, Sept. 2, Portsmouth faces Tiverton in their annual Injury Fund meeting at Barrington.

"We had a great time at camp. We got a lot accomplished," said Coen. "The major reason why I take the kids away is to build camaraderie. They got to know each other. Each night they played cards and ate together. We had a bonfire. We had a blast."

In terms of Xs and Os, the Patriots are on the right track, learning Coen's style and system.

"Technically, we're fairly sound. But we're really small compared with the rest of the division. We'll need to execute well to win games," Coen said. "But I think we can do it. We have a lot of speed, a lot of athleticism. I think we can do well."

RIIL Football 2004 Injury Fund

Sept. 2, Barrington High

Rogers vs. Middletown, 6 p.m.

Portsmouth vs. Tiverton, 7 p.m.

Mt. Hope vs. Barrington, 8 p.m.

BY MIKE REGO

mrego@eastbaynewspapers.com