It was a bit of an off year for Deerfield Academy in 2022. The Big Green went 3-6 and found themselves in a lot of shootouts. But there are plenty of reasons for optimism, as Barbato has established a winning culture. The Big Green won NEPSAC bowls in both 2019 and 2021 (there was no 2020 NEPSAC season due to Covid). “The kids have bought in,” Barbato said over a…
A tradition has been established at BB&N that says the Knights will be winners in the fall and on National Signing Day, alike. That will stands to continue going forward for coach Mike Willey and his team. In 2022, BB&N lost two games but still managed to make it to a NEPSAC bowl and earn a tie for the top of the ISL-7. Once again, BB&N will be one of…
WORCESTER — Bo MacCormack had just finished with another stellar performance in the championship game of The League, but had more to say. Following his Boston Junkyard Dogs’ 19-16 win over the Northern Knights Sunday, MacCormack spoke about the importance of The League to him, and his BB&N team. The Dogs’ roster was made up largely of BB&N players. “(BB&N) coach (Mike) Willey and coach (and The League creator John)…
NEEDHAM — There was a time not too long ago where football recruiting for New England was, nationally, a little off the radar, off the beaten path. But as evidenced by the last two days of the New England Showcase, and Tuesday at St. Sebastian’s, those days are over. At St. Seb’s, Power Five coaches from every conference came to see players go through drills. There were roughly 50 or…
This past season, Plymouth South separated itself as one of the top teams on the South Shore. With a number of close wins against quality opponents, the Panthers built up an unbeaten record that only came to an end with a loss in the Division 3 playoffs to eventual champion Wakefield. Now, with a strong returning cast, Plymouth South should once again be among the favorites both in the South…
Sometimes, in the world of college football recruiting, scholarship offers can come in as a trickle, one every few months. Then, a lot of times, those offers build up like an avalanche, and that trickle is more like a fire hose blast. You can hardly keep up with the every day onslaught. For quarterbacks Miles O’Neill and Blake Hebert, the experience has been way more like the latter most recently….
One of the premier programs in the ISL, Milton Academy, is undergoing a major change. Coach Kevin MacDonald has retired, and the team will be led by someone other than him for the first time since 1995. That man to take the reins will be longtime defensive coordinator Mike Mason. Even with all that difference at the top, the Mustangs should still be one of the favorites to win the…
Following last year’s Division 2 state title — the second in a row — Catholic Memorial coach John DiBiaso knew he would have to replace a lot of talent. Star players at nearly every position moved on to the college ranks, many at the Division 1 level. But don’t cry for DiBiaso just yet. The legendary coach has replacements ready to step up and defend those Catholic Conference and D2…
NEEDHAM — There was no player at Sunday’s A Shot For Life Bowl at St. Sebastian’s who seemed to have more fun than Milton Academy’s Matt Childs. The standout linebacker and running back was laying out for balls, yelling out encouragement for his teammates, and generally just having a ball out there, even in the cold, rainy conditions. So maybe it was fitting that Childs and his Team Fight won…
STORRS, Conn. — It happened over and over. A player would have a standout moment during UConn’s spring game Saturday, and this would be the reaction. “You’re not going to believe this, but he’s listed as a freshman, too.” One main takeaway stood out, that the Huskies surely have juniors and seniors leading the way. But it’s also true of the freshmen and sophomores. Young players were making an impact…