The Somerset Berkley Raiders are looking to turn the page after a disappointing 2025 campaign that left the program searching for answers.
Enter Chris Santos, the team’s new head coach, who takes over from Nick Freitas and brings a fresh philosophy to the program.
Among the handful of players returning, senior quarterback Mason Benjamin stands out as a cornerstone for the offense, while the defense will miss several graduated seniors including Finn Crook, Liam Meehan, Kyle Hamblett and Andrew Dionne.
A Schedule Packed with Familiar Foes
The 2026 slate features matchups against traditional South Coast Conference rivals such as Fairhaven, Malden Catholic and Durfee, plus an open date on October 9 that could be used for non‑conference play.
A highlight of the schedule is the renewal of the Thanksgiving Day rivalry with Joseph Case, a game that has been played for nearly a century and remains a focal point of the community.
Looking Ahead
With the South Coast Conference lineup unchanged from the previous year, the Raiders hope to translate early-season progress into a sustained push for a conference title in 2026.
The team’s leadership believes that continuity, combined with the experience of returning starters, could finally close the gap between promise and performance.