Although Barnstable had a young team in 2022 and finished with a 3-8 record, the Redhawks will be more experienced this fall and look to rebound.
Coach Ross Jatkola has one of the best collection of skill talent you will find, and if this team stays healthy, it will make a big playoff push.
No matter what, Barnstable has clearly established itself as one of the top programs on both the Cape and the South as a whole. Jatkola and his players always have a great weight room culture, and they always play a difficult schedule, too.
When it comes to his players, Jatkola has plenty who can make a difference.
Leading the way out of the 2024 class is Tajardo France, a running back, wide receiver, safety who checks in 6-foot, 175 pounds.
We asked Jatkola what he likes about France.
“Everything,” Jatkola said. “He was like our all-everything guy last year. He broke his leg (on Thanksgiving). He would have rushed for over 1,000 yards if he played. I think he had like 875 on the ground. He had another 550 receiving. He led the team in tackles. He had a pick six. He returned punts. Hd returned kicks. He’s just a football player.”
Two brothers who will be patrolling the secondary for Barnstable are Eric and Andrew Lovell. Eric is a cornerback, wide receiver, and Andrew is a strong safety, wide receiver, slot. Both are 5-11, 185.
“They’re primarily defensive guys,” Jatkola said.
“Eric’s coverage and his technique is really good on the defensive end. I think he had more picks than he gave up completions. Or just the same. I think he gave up three completions the entire year, and he had three picks. Really, really good cover guy. He will tackle well in space. He’s dynamic when he gets the ball. Long, rangy, and then just loves football. Works constantly.”
With Andrew, Jatkola said, “We moved his position from corner to strong safety last year. He struggled a little bit at the beginning with the physicality in the box, but he came on as the season went on. He must have put on close to 20 pounds of muscle this offseason. He’s tried to add that element on to his game, as a more physical, downhill kid.”
A lineman to watch is Kurt Campbell, a defensive tackle and offensive lineman who is 6-2, 255.
“(He had his) first year of football last year. He was really raw,” Jatkola said. “On the freshman team during Covid, but then had to go to Florida with his family. Weird situation because of Covid. Then he came back too late to play as a sophomore. He missed the deadline to play. Last year was his first year really playing. He was raw at the beginning, then ended up being an absolute dude for us. He’s definitely, after camping this summer, will definitely get some interest.”
Quarterback Aiden Kundel (5-10, 165) projects as a defensive back at the next level, “but he’s done a little bit of everything for us the last couple years.”
Harry Ells (6-0, 205) projects as a rush end at the next level.
The biggest recruit out of the 2025 class is Chevy Shakespeare. A 5-10, 165-pound wide receiver, defensive back, Shakespeare already holds a Rhode Island offer and is aiming for a big junior season.
“He started for us as a freshman. Last year he didn’t actually play a ton because of a knee injury,” Jatkola said. “When he was out there he was a huge difference maker. He’s only getting better. We’re expecting huge things out of him this year. His recruiting is really starting to blow up. He was at BC yesterday. He got invited to Alabama camp. He got invited to Pitt camp. He got invited to Notre Dame camp. He’ll be at BC camp again. He’s got a URI offer already as a freshman. He’s in the best shape of his life right now. He’s crushing the weight room. They’re out here every day. He’s going to have a huge summer in terms of recruiting I think.”
Another ’25 to watch is Spencer LaValley. A 6-1, 215-pound defensive end, guard, LaValley also saw time as a sophomore.
“He was a two-way starter for us last year as a sophomore,” Jatkola said. “Was pretty young last year, but if you watch the film, held his own pretty well. I thought he did well as a sophomore. Been working his butt off. Going to as many camps as he can. He’s in the weight room every single day. Starting to fill out his frame a little bit. Expect big things out of him.”
KaRon Ford (5-9, 165) is back at free safety, slot, wing, fullback and two-way starter.
“A really dynamic kid, a physical kid, even at that size,” Jatkola said.
And for the class of 2026, lineman Ronell Armstrong (6-4, 235) is another to watch.
“He played on the basketball team,” Jatkola said. “If he fills out and commits to playing the offensive line, he has a pretty good shot at being a big recruit. Athletic, good feet, good hands. Good aggressiveness up front.”
En guard
The University of Maine handed out a couple offers to guard prospects this week. The Black Bears offered Catholic Memorial’s Brandon Sullivan, BB&N’s Brian Brennan, and Dexter’s Dominic Silvia.
Those are three of the top interior line prospects in the state, so those are smart offers by the Black Bears.