Vitals

• COACH — NICK APREA (7th year)
• CONFERENCE — CTC
• PLAYOFF CLASS — S (342 boys enrolled)
• HOME — O’Brien Tech
• 2017 RECORD — 8-3 (Lost to St. Joseph in Class S quarterfinals)
• 2018 OPENER — Sept. 8 vs. Prince Tech, 12 p.m.
• TEAM WEBSITE — Maxpreps

Top Players

• JOMMAR ROC, Sr., RB/LB, (6-0, 175)
• JONTE ROC, Sr., RB/DB, (6-0, 165)
• BOBBY HUDAK, Sr., RB/DE, (6-0, 180)
• MATT GILBERT, Jr., OL/DL, (6-1, 250)Ev
• XAVIER GONZALEZ, Jr., OL/DL, (6-2, 230)
• AUSTIN BUKMIR, Soph., RB/DE, (6-3, 175)
• MARQUES JAMES, Soph., TE/LB, (5-9, 175) 

Key Losses

RB/LB Mason Santa Maria, RB/LB Brendan Gilbert, OL/DL Carlos Rivera, RB/LB Darien Acosta 

Outlook

To put the magnitude of O’Brien Tech’s 2017 playoff appearance in perspective, consider this: Even Nick Aprea was stunned. 

“Oh God,” said Aprea, the Condors’ head coach since 2012. “When I took that job there, I never thought we were capable of doing something like that.”

Forget about making the postseason, the Condors hadn’t even cracked .500 in any of their previous six seasons of existence. They shattered even their own expectations last year, transforming from afterthought into contender in the span of only two months. 

The Condors went 8-3, watching their dream season end in the Class S quarterfinals at the hands of state powerhouse St. Joseph, 62-0. 

“We have kids who came back and want to do that again,” Aprea said. “They believe that it’s possible. You can tell by the kids’ demeanor that they think we’ve got a chance to win.”

Their overriding confidence stems in the return of a few key starters, including senior Jommar Roc and his twin brother, Jonte. Both running backs, they’re a vital part of the Condors’ punishing single-wing offense. 

“We have other players, but when you think of us, those are the two that come to mind,” Aprea said. “They’re playmakers. Once they bought in, the others bought in. If Jommar and Jonte buy in, you have to, too.” 

Three of O’Brien Tech’s first four games will be at home, beginning with fellow CTC contender Prince Tech on Sept. 8. The backend of their schedule, however, doesn’t look as favorable, with games at Bullard Havens Tech, Abbott Tech/Immaculate and Platt Tech to close out the regular season. 

Aprea believes the Condors will field a more athletic team this year, however, he says the offensive line — which returns juniors Matt Gilbert and Junior Gonzalez — has ground to make up. 

2018 Schedule

• Sept. 8 — PRINCE TECH**, noon
• Sept. 22 — QUINEBAUG VALLEY**, noon
• Sept. 29 — WILCOX TECH**, noon
• Oct. 6 — at MCW United**, noon
• Oct. 20 — CHENEY TECH**, noon
• Oct. 26 — at Vinal/Goodwin/Whitney Tech**, 6 p.m.
• Nov. 3 — THAMES RIVER**, 11 a.m.
• Nov. 10 — at Bullard Havens**, noon
• Nov. 17 — at Abbott Tech/Immaculate**, 1 p.m.
• Nov. 22 — at Platt Tech**, 10:30 a.m.  

Home games in CAPS
**Conference games