Ryan Dugan knew the public perception when he took on his dream job, Methuen High head football coach, in the summer.
The Rangers were rebuilding in 2025.
“People might have thought we were going to take a step back,” said Dugan. “No more Easons (former Eagle-Tribune MVP brothers Drew and Shane) and coach (Tom) Ryan stepping down. But the 75 kids on this team didn’t think so. The eight assistant coaches didn’t feel that way, an neither did (now-athletic director) Tom Ryan or myself.”
After taking home a second straight Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1 title, Methuen’s season has ended in acclaimed fashion.
Dugan was named Division 1 Coach of the Year, while Ranger offensive lineman/linebacker Vinny DeMaio took home Division 1 Player of the Year as the Merrimack Valley Conference announced its annual postseason awards.
They were just two of the locals to earn major honors.
Central Catholic quarterback Caden Smith repeated as Division 1 offensive Player of the Year, while Andover defensive end Jackson Fuller earned Division 1 defensive Player of the Year.
For Dugan, a former Methuen player who had served as an assistant for the Rangers since 2009, it was a humbling honor in his first season as head man.
“Every year we feel like we can go out and compete with the best in the state,” said Dugan. “This was our 10th straight winning season, which is the second longest streak in Division 1 or Division 2. I just try to go out and work hard every day, and our culture is built on good kids that work hard. I also have to credit my wife and kids. They sacrifice a lot, when I’m working four hours on Saturday and 8-10 hours on Sunday. They always hug me after a game, win or lose.”
Leading the charge for the Rangers was DeMaio, a 5-foot-11, 205-pound wrecking ball of an inside linebacker and offensive lineman — taking home an award usually reserved for quarterbacks and running backs.
“He is certainly in a very small group of league MVPs who play those positions,” said Dugan. “Usually you need the big offensive statistics to be an MVP. But Vinnie just did everything we needed, and did it at a very high level.”
DeMaio finished the season with 103 tackles, 20 for a loss, to lead a Ranger defense that allowed just 15.3 points a game. He also played both guard and tackle positions on offense.
“This award shows the amount of effort put in by my family, teammates an coaches,” said DeMaio. “This award wouldn’t be possible without the people around me. I’m very honored.”
Another terror on defense was Fuller, who excelled the “edge” position for the Golden Warriors. He turned in 7.5 sacks, including two on Thanksgiving Day, five quarterback hurries and 39 tackles, 17 for a loss. That after scoring 4.5 sacks as a junior.
“It was a goal of mine heading into the season to be (conference) defensive Player of the Year,” he said. “I can’t thank my coaches enough for putting me in position to succeed. It means so much to them, and that’s why it means so much to me.”
Rounding out the major awards was Smith, who was offensive MVP for the second straight season after leading Central to the Division 1 semifinals. The junior threw for 1,233 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for 993 yards and scored 16 scores.
“Playing against a first-class schedule he put up very impressive numbers,” said Central Catholic head coach John Sexton. “He has done a great job running out system. We are lucky to have him, and we are excited to have him back next season.”
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