In 2021 and 2022, the Needham football program had a pair of uncharacteristic down years with losing records.

Boy, that did not last long, did it?

Last season, Needham posted a 10-2 record that included a run to the D1 state semifinals, where the Rockets lost a close game to eventual state champion Xaverian.

The only other loss was to another state champion, D3 winner Milton in Bay State Conference Herget Division play.

Don’t expect the good times to stop anytime soon for a Rockets program that has serious designs on even more success.

We talked to Needham coach Doug Kopcso about his talented players.

Keep an eye on this team going forward.

One player who could be one of the most versatile performers in the state is Aidan Williams, who already holds offers from UMass and Lehigh.

Williams can play running back, linebacker, or safety, and in a given game could play all three. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Williams has good speed, play strength, and knowledge of the game.

Kopcso can’t wait to unleash Williams again this coming season.

“He’s a guy that can play deep at safety,” Kopcso said. “He can play all the way up at d-end. Last year, he played outside linebacker for us, and Mike, everywhere from QB to running back to wide receiver. He doesn’t blink. Some of those guys, you move them around and they’re a jack of all trades and master of none. He comes in and he’s right away one of the best players at that position. It’s that extreme versatility and athleticism that really elevates his play.”

It will be interesting to see where colleges see him.

“He’s got a shot to be an FBS kid. He’s certainly already an FCS kid. I think he’s the type of guy, no matter where he goes I think he’s going to elevate that program, because of his work ethic. Right now, that’s kind of where he’s at.”

Another player drawing FCS attention and above is offensive lineman Charlie Simeone (6-4, 290). He already holds a Fordham offer.

“We do some stuff in the offseason where we will kind of ask some of our guys to do cartwheels or tumbling and stuff like that,” Kopcso said. “Some of the kids will look at you like, I can’t possibly do this. And he’s got probably the best cartwheel on the team. He’s one of these uber athletes. He really can do it all. He’s strong enough to hang with the big guys, but it’s his athleticism that really puts him over the top. He’s a pretty lean 290, which is scary to say. That’s just pretty rare.”

Will McDonald (6-6, 225) is another versatile athlete for the Rockets, at tight end and defensive end.

“As soon as he gets around a college training table, he’s going to be a big dude. He’s already pretty darn intimidating,” Kopcso said. “We’ve been fortunate to have him come on strong the last couple of years. He was a Bay State Conference All-Star this past year. This will be his third year starting. He’s been a heck of a player for us.”

Ben Schreiber (6-1, 205) is another player who can play multiple positions, as he plays tight end, H-back, and linebacker.

“He was kind of our movement guy last year,” Kopcso said. “The guy where your, Joker or that kind of thing, you’re moving him all over the place. Up on the line, off the line, outside, inside. He really was the centerpiece of our defense last year.”

Looking to be the team’s number one receiver and corner is Brandt Bickford (6-0, 175). He made some big plays last year, and in the playoffs off the jet sweep.

“He’s been our, and I don’t want to say shutdown corner, because those don’t exist anymore, he had that pick against Milton,” Kopcso said. “He’s one of the most special corners I’ve been around, and I’ve been doing the defense here for 13 years.”

Another player to watch is Joe Kajunski (5-9, 170), a running back and slot receiver.

“He’s a Bay State Conference All-Star, three-year starter,” Kopcso said. “He also plays hockey. He is our safety. Probably the toughest kid, pound for pound, on the team. Super fast. Also a pit bull. . . . He’s one of the fastest kids on the team.”

Griffin Carr (5-8, 160) returns at quarterback, and is a D3 prospect.

“He’s a smaller guy, but he’s one of our more athletic guys,” Kopcso said.

Stephen Rocamboli (5-9, 165) is going to be a factor at wide receiver, running back, and corner.

“He was a corner for us defensively,” Kopcso said. “He’s going to be a returner for us as well. Super fast. He’s going to be the type of kid where he’s going to make a lot of big plays.”