One of the real powers out of the Hockomock League over the years has been North Attleboro.

Coach Mike Strachan has led the team recently to some strong finishes, and has a more experienced squad in 2024.

The schedule out of the Hockomock Davenport this season is an interesting one. There are nonleague games with Lynn Classical and Lynnfield, and a crossover contest with Taunton before getting into division play.

One of the top recruits Strachan has is also one of the top linebackers in the area in Ryan Bannon (6-foot-3, 230 pounds). Strachan is very high on Bannon’s potential.

“He’s a competitor,” Strachan said. “He’s going to be, conceivably, if not the best, one of the best players in the Hockomock League. He’s tenacious defensively. He had 110 tackles last season. He’s getting recruited by UMass. He’s probably going to have an offer pretty quickly with Marist and Georgetown. He’s on Brown’s radar. He’s been on Harvard’s radar. He’s a kid that’s getting significant interest right now for us.”

It’s been a good offseason for Bannon.

“He’s very dynamic,” Strachan said. “He’s gotten bigger. He’s actually gotten faster and stronger, believe it or not. I think he’s going to have a great year for us.”

Strachan was asked to compare him to the other linebackers he’s had since coaching Attleboro.

“For me, since 2013, he’s going to be as dynamic as anybody I’ve had,” Strachan said. “We are going to move him around. He’s a kid, he’s actually very unique. He can actually play running back. He’s a great tight end. He’s a linebacker. This year, we’re going to actually move him around to defensive end and get him in some passing situations. He’s just really a presence that’s going to be tough (to deal with).”

That diversity of talent will serve Bannon well.

“He’s a three-year starter for us,” Strachan said. “At the end of the day, he’s going to be a kid that’s, he’s a captain, and his range is great. His sideline-to-sideline range is great. His football IQ is unbelievable, right? We do a lot of stuff that’s around reading (the play). He’s a smart kid. He’s a 4.0 student, so he can handle everything we throw at him. He’s someone that is going to lead both offensively and defensively. I think, offensively, him and (quarterback) Chase (Frisoli), but defensively for sure.”

Speaking of Frisoli (6-2, 210), the quarterback will be a real leader on offense.

“He’s put on some good weight,” Strachan said. “He’s really made a decision to try to get himself ready physically. He’s going to be a four-year starter for us this year. There are not a lot of kids in high school football that start for four years, especially at quarterback. He’s super smart. He’s worked on his speed. I think he’s worked on some of the things that maybe he hadn’t had to in the past. I think he’s going to have a fantastic year for us.”

Frisoli is also getting heavily recruited.

“He’s getting a lot of looks in Division 1 also,” Strachan said. “He’s got an offer from Wagner. But he’s on a lot of boards right now.”

A top senior lineman is Patrick Hamilton, a defensive tackle and offensive lineman who measures up at 6-2, 265.

“A high motor. He’s been getting a lot of looks from Division 1, Division 2 teams right now,” Strachan said. “A three-year starter, captain. Right now, Marist is on him. He’s actually been a late bloomer for us. It’s going to be interesting to see how he comes along. You take a look at programs like Stonehill, programs like Marist. Marist has really liked him. Sacred Heart has been interested in him. I think he’s going to be a great find. He has a really high motor. He’s tenacious. I think, technically, he’s going to have to improve a little bit. But I think, overall, he’s going to be someone that has to be dealt with. He ran a 5-flat 40. He’s 6-2, 265, and he’s running a 5-flat 40. That’s a big man moving.”

One receiver who had a good season in 2023 is Bryce Kiser (5-11, 185).

“Bryce Kiser just ran a 4.65 40 for us,” Strachan said. “He’s made a real consistent effort. I love him. I think he’s dynamic. He runs great routes. He’s a smart football player. I think he’s kind of fallen under the radar right now, but someone that we are really, really high on. . . . Great hands. Great routes. He runs fantastic routes.”

Another smart player for the Red Rocketeers as is free safety and wide receiver Lucas Crovo (5-11, 180).

“Our free safety is the quarterback of our defense,” Strachan said. “You’ve got to know multiple coverages. Again, pretty smart. He handles all that. Getting a lot of looks right now from Bentley, Assumption, and a lot of the NESCAC schools. He’s a great student. Probably one of the smartest kids on the team.”

Brady Paradis (6-0, 185) is a slot receiver and outside linebacker who will also play a significant role.

“He’s a great baseball player,” Strachan said. “He’s going to be a slot receiver for us, and play some outside linebacker for us. He’s doing the whole circuit with the baseball. He’s a two-sport captain. Just a great kid.”

The Red Rocketeers are also getting two transfers from Bishop Feehan in OL/DL Reid Clemente and K Austin Clemente.

“We’re just super excited to have them,” Strachan said. “We know Austin is a game-changer from the kicking game. Reid is a kid that’s benching 315 five times. He was a three-year starter at Feehan. Both those guys are going to help us, for sure. Not even a question.”