Six Central Mass. players who should excel this season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Eastern Massachusetts football receives most of the media attention, there's no shortage of talent in Central Massachusetts, either. Here are six Central Mass. players who should perform at a high level this season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2382605,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa064102b833"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Entering his fourth season as a starter as a receiver and a defensive back, Larsen is coming off a junior year in which he caught 52 passes for 837 yards and nine touchdowns. He's a versatile player who not only plays multiple receiving positions, he also returns kicks and handles the long-snapping. Larsen, who also plays baseball and basketball for Groton-Dunstable, caught 15 passes for 272 yards in a loss to Greater Lawrence last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2057169"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa064102b8ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Asare has committed to play football at the University of Maine, and he certainly has the look of a Division I offensive lineman. His 6-foot-6, 285-pound body is a problem for most defenders, but he also moves well in Shepherd Hill's double-wing offense, whether he's pulling or blocking at the second level. Also a standout in track and field (shot put), Asare is one of the key reasons Shepherd Hill had two players each run for more than 1,000 yards last season. His junior film showed significant improvement from his sophomore season, so more improvement can be expected this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2382770,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa064102b92c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Allen moved from wide receiver to running back last year, and steadily improved during the season. He gained more than 100 yards in each of his final four games, and finished the season with 1,179 yards rushing. That includes a 231-yard effort in a victory over Shepherd Hill on Thanksgiving. Allen has also proven to be productive in the passing game, as he had 19 receptions last season. Expect Allen to contribute in all three phases this year since he's entering his third season as a starting safety and he made 19 PATs and three field goals in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2382792,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa064102b98d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although he's entering his junior season, Pa'u has already been a starter on Leominster's defense for two years. He was selected to serve as a captain this season. Pa'u can play inside or on the edge, and has a relentless motor. He's very good at shedding blockers and then making a play on the ball carrier. He finished his sophomore year with 28 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks. As an offensive lineman, he allowed one sack in 267 pass attempts. Pa'u landed an FCS offer from VMI in July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2383057,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa064102b9ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paxton completed 74-of-137 passes for 1,438 yards last season. His best game may have come in a 39-33 loss to Auburn, when he was 13 of 25 for 243 yards. Paxton throws an accurate deep ball, and will be asked to do more this season, since he was elected a captain and will be without star running back Camden LaChapelle, who has graduated. Paxton will direct the offense for an Uxbridge team that is ranked No. 9 in Central Mass. by the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1111494"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa064102ba4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Perry appears to have what it takes to be a successful college quarterback. His strengths include accuracy, decisive decision-making and the ability to get the ball to his receivers in a hurry. He passed for 1,820 yards and 16 touchdowns in 10 games last season. He'll have a chance to boost his stock when St. John's faces Catholic Conference opponents Xaverian (with Penn State-bound QB Will Wood,) and St. John's Prep (with Ohio State commit Chris Vargas). Perry is a team captain this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->