2025 RHS PATRIOTS FOOTBALL SEASON BEGINS

Football Pats eye fast start in 2025 behind young core

By Dom Nicastro

The Revere High School football team is stepping into the 2025 season with cautious optimism and a sense of unfinished business. After finishing 5–6 last fall and celebrating milestone wins, including Coach Lou Cicatelli’s 100th and 101st career victories, the Patriots are looking to prove they can start fast, make a push for the playoffs and contend in the Greater Boston League (GBL). The Patriots open their season on the road Friday, Sept. 5 at Quincy (7 p.m.). After a week off, the home opener is Friday, Sept. 19 against Beverly (6 p.m.).

“We’ve got about 48 kids this year, which is pretty good,” Cicatelli said. “But we only have six seniors, and we knew that coming in. We’ve got a tremendous sophomore class and a big freshman class—14 kids. That’s big for us.”

Last year’s team leaned on seniors like dual-threat quarterback Danny Hou and explosive playmaker Geovani “Geo” Woodard. Both are gone, leaving a major production gap — Hou alone contributed over 1,500 combined rushing and passing yards. Filling those shoes will fall to a talented but young group.

The biggest change comes under center. Sophomore Jose Fuentes has been tabbed as the Patriots’ new starting quarterback. A standout freshman in 2024 who saw time at running back and safety, Fuentes spent the offseason at quarterback camps and has impressed his coach.

“Jose’s made a lot of progress,” Cicatelli said. “He’s doing really, really well, getting better every day. We’re kind of high on him.”

Backing him up is junior Sergio Peguero, who will also contribute as outside linebacker and on offense.

In the backfield, all eyes are on Mario Ramirez, now a senior captain. “He’s been a force in the scrimmages,” Cicatelli said. “We’re going to let him carry the ball as much as possible Friday night.”

The Patriots also expect major contributions from sophomore Charles Dobre, though he will miss the opener but is expected back for Week 2. Dobre was a breakout star last fall, racking up 100 tackles, eight sacks and five forced fumbles.

Reda Atoui, a sophomore, last year recorded 66 tackles and four interceptions, including two pick-sixes, as well as a strip-and-score (68-yard return). Coach Cicatelli said he’s looking good so far and will get time on each side of the ball again.

With such a young roster, senior leadership will be critical. Cicatelli announced four captains:

• Walter Franklin (OL/DL)
• Mario Ramirez (RB/LB)
• Jackson Martel (RB/DB)
• Bryan Fuentes (TE/LB)

“All seniors, all solid kids,” the coach said. “Overall, the team is a great bunch—very respectful, a really nice group doing everything we’re asking them to do. They’re working hard.”

Cicatelli stressed the importance of winning early, especially the first two non-leaguers. While the GBL is competitive, even winning outright wouldn’t secure a spot in the playoffs because the teams do not have great points value in Division 1 of MIAA football. Everett, for instance, went 7-1 a few years back and didn’t make it.

“If we’re going to make the playoffs, believe it or not, we have to win these first two games,” Cicatelli said. “GBL teams can win seven or eight games and still not get in. So we’ve got to come out quicker than we have the last few years.”

In 2024, the Patriots started 0–4 before ripping off five straight wins. Avoiding that slow start is a point of emphasis. “The message is, you gotta be in better shape,” Cicatelli said. “Problem is, a lot of those kids go both ways. A team like Whittier, we’re up 8-6 at the half, and they come out in the second half and just wore us down.”

GBL play begins against Medford (Sept. 25) and includes key games with Lynn English, Lynn Classical, Somerville, Malden and Chelsea. And then there’s the circled date: Everett, Oct. 30 at home. Last year Revere stunned Everett for its first win in the rivalry since 1991.

“I told the kids, get ready for that one,” Cicatelli said. “They’re going to come in flying.”

Stability on the sidelines should help the Patriots navigate their youth. Offensive coordinator Jose Escobar returns, along with line coaches Vinny Gregorio, Brandon Brito and Jared Gordinas. Ed Doris handles defensive backs and receivers, while Oscar Lopez, a Chelsea police officer, chips in when he can.

“It’s the same group, more or less,” Cicatelli said. “They’ve been great, and the kids are learning a lot.”

The Patriots’ 2025 schedule features tough non-league tests, a competitive GBL slate and the annual Thanksgiving rivalry with Winthrop. With only six seniors but an unusually deep underclass, Cicatelli believes the foundation is strong. “If we can stay healthy, we’ll be okay,” he said. “We’ve got a good backfield, a decent line and a lot of young kids who want to learn. Now it’s about getting out of the gate a little quicker than last year.”