Since coming to Phillips Exeter four years ago, coach Panos Voulgaris has had that program on a steady climb up the NEPSAC ranks.

Last year, Exeter went 7-2, and the only losses were to Choate by three points and Cheshire Academy by two points.

So Exeter is playing competitive football with the elite of the elite NEPSAC programs.

Don’t expect that to change anytime soon.

When it comes to players, Exeter has plenty good ones, and right now that starts with Isaiah Reese. Reese is a LB/ATH who stands at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds.

There is almost nothing Reese can’t do on a football field. On defense, Voulgaris moves him all over. He can play quarterback, running back, and wide receiver on offense.

It is no surprise that the University of Virginia is happy to have him as a verbal commit. He will play on defense there.

“Just overall athleticism. He can do so much,” Voulgaris said. “This past year on defense, we used him in a hybrid role. He played safety. He played nickel. He played slot corner. He played outside ‘backer. He played the edge. He can play so many different things. That’s what makes Isaiah unique.”

If you want a better idea of what kind of athlete he is, just look at how he performs in some other sports.

“He’s very good. There’s no doubt about it,” Voulgaris said. “Athletically, he’s the number one javelin thrower in America for the class of 2025. He’s a decathlete on our track team. He’s a 10.9 in the 100. Low 22s in the 200. He runs the 400. He can throw the discus, the javelin. High jump, long jump. He can do a lot of different things. He’s also a starter on our New England champion basketball team. Isaiah is just touching the surface of what he can do in football. When he gets to college, he’s going to be able to hone in on all the football training and the things that will make him a more defined football player. Whereas, right now, he’s playing a different sport every season, and doing a tremendous job.”

Exeter will also be very good at the line of scrimmage this year, too. One of those players is Tommy Hoey (6-4, 275).

“Tommy’s very athletic,” Voulgaris said. “He can run really well. He’s good at the point. He can block twitchy defensive ends because he’s twitchy himself. He can go out in space when we want to pull a lineman, or when there’s a receiver screen. He’s good at that.”

Another top lineman is Michael Gidaro (6-5, 295).

“Michael is the classic anchor on the inside,” Voulgaris said. “He is a very strong kid. He’s a people mover.”

Ewan Newton is another big man who can play at 6-5, 285.

“Ewan is extremely versatile. He can play tackle, guard, or center,” Voulgaris said. “He could play all three spots. He’s got great leadership skills. He plays with a lot of aggression and passion. But more than anything. they’re greater than the sum of their parts. The three of them, in addition to the other guys we’ve got on the offensive line, work really well together. That’s a reflection of excellent offensive line coaches Dave Hudson and Max Lane.”

Finally, Exeter will have the rare four-year starter in Rand Shepard, a linebacker at 6-1, 210. A native of Austin, Texas, Shepard is another versatile performer.

“Rand just gives maximum effort every play. He’s tenacious as an athlete,” Voulgaris said. “He’s also a Division 1 level lacrosse player. He’s someone that loves the weight room. Tenacious, a sure tackler, and just feisty. He has been since the very beginning of his time here at Exeter. We came at the same time here four years ago, and he’s been with me all four years. He’s been really special. A maximum effort guy in practice every day, and it translates into how he plays on game day, just doing all the little things. He’s going to be on the kickoff team, kick return team, punt team, punt return team, and he’s not going to leave the field as a linebacker.”