By Dante Iafrate
NEFJ Correspondent

LEOMINSTER – Leominster opened the 2025 season with a statement win, blanking St. John’s 38-0 on Friday night behind a suffocating defense and a balanced offensive attack.

The Blue Devils wasted no time setting the tone. After forcing an early turnover, Leominster capitalized to grab a 22-0 first-quarter lead. Quarterback Osiris Lopez led the offense with poise, while veteran playmakers like wide receiver Ryan Ricker kept the chains moving and stretched the field.

Defensively, the Blue Devils were relentless. The secondary came up with four interceptions, two of them by Ricker, who looked every bit the senior captain.

“The coaches help us so much, and I just communicate with my teammates, we’ve got so much chemistry on and off the field,” Ricker said. “I watch a lot of film, so it makes the game 10 times easier.”

Head coach Devin Gates acknowledged that preparation has been a point of emphasis since the offseason.

“We didn’t play as well defensively last year as we thought we could,” Gates said. “So really, that’s been a point of focus for us. The defensive staff does a tremendous job preparing these kids, and they just went out there and executed, flying around, having fun. It was great to watch.”

St. John’s struggled to gain any momentum. Every time the Pioneers threatened to sustain a drive, Leominster’s defense answered with a stop. Even when Leominster slowed down after its explosive first quarter, the outcome was never in doubt.

“We’ve got a ton of veterans on offense, so it was really just going out there and executing what was given in front of us,” Gates said. “First quarter was great. We had some things to clean up in the second and third, but that’s first-game stuff. We’ll correct them and move forward.”

For Ricker – who starred on both sides of the ball – the win was the payoff for an offseason of grinding.

“This offseason, I worked the hardest I ever have, and that helped a lot,” he said. “We’re conditioned in practice, so we don’t need breaks. We’ve got guys who can rotate in and help, and when I get back in, I try to make plays.”

The Blue Devils finished 9-2 a year ago and believe a win like this one only strengthens their confidence.

“A win like this gives us so much confidence,” Ricker said. “We’ve got a great team coming in next week, but we just have to execute like we did tonight, get back to work, and do our job.”

Gates echoed that Friday was about more than just one victory.

“It’s a great start, and it’s something to build on,” he said. “There’s still a lot of good football left to play, but we’re excited about where we’re at.”

The Blue Devils have a big test against Milford back at home next Friday.

Photos by Dante Iafrate