It was a dream season for the North Attleboro Red Rocketeers. They won the D3 state title over Mansfield, the program’s first championship since 2002. North was one of the most physical teams in the state, both running the ball and stopping the run. We caught up with North coach Mike Strachan to get his thoughts on the season. Here is an edited version of that conversation. Adam Kurkjian: I……
By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff BOSTON — The drive wasn’t long for many fans of the UConn Huskies on Saturday morning and it showed. In front of 27,900 strong at America’s Most Beloved Ballpark, the Huskies took care of the North Carolina Tar Heels 27-14 to win the 2024 Wasabi Technologies Fenway Bowl. With a mostly UConn-dominated crowd backing them, it felt like from the first snap this team had……
This New England poll was not easy to put together each week. There were a lot of moving parts, and not as much crossover as you’d like to see for rankings like these. But here it is, the final New England Top 25, the first of its kind. 1. Catholic Memorial (12-1) 2. New Canaan (12-1) 3. Xaverian (9-4) 4. Greenwich (11-2) 5. King Philip (12-1) 6. Masuk (10-3) 7. Needham……
As we continue our series with coach Q&As with state champions, we got a chance to talk with Xaverian’s Al Fornaro. The Hawks went 9-4 with a D1 state title this fall, the program’s second in as many years. We wanted to get Fornaro’s take on his team, and why the Hawks were so successful in the postseason. Here is an edited version of that conversation. Adam Kurkjian: Last year……
By Matt Spalding NEFJ Staff NEW BRITAIN — The final CIAC State Championship Game of 2024 saw the Greenwich Cardinals take on the West Haven Blue Devils, vying for the Class LL Championship. For Greenwich, the Cardinals were looking to capture their 10th title of the CIAC era, while West Haven was looking for its first since 2002, when the Blue Devils defeated Greenwich for a state title at Kennedy……
By Rob Gullo NEFJ Staff NEW BRITAIN — Meeting each other for the 100th time and a second time this season, No. 2 seed New Canaan and No. 4 Darien battled for the Class L state championship at Arute Field in New Britain on Saturday afternoon. In the end, New Canaan defended its title as it defeated Darien, 35-21, winning a third-straight state championship and defeating Darien a second time……
You may look at a piece like this and think, “The 2025 season? Already?” Why, yes, it is a perfectly acceptable time to look ahead, because, why not? So, in alphabetical order, here are 40 teams to keep an eye out for. A lot can happen between now and August, including #TransferSeason, so this list is sure to change. Until then, take a look. Andover — The Warriors had a……
Photo credit — Scott Sulkazi By Robert Gullo NEFJ Correspondent NEW BRITAIN, CT — Two of the best teams in the state of Connecticut for high school football squared off Friday night as the No. 1 Windsor Warriors and No. 6 Masuk Panthers battled for the Class MM state championship. Tied 21-21 with seven seconds remaining in the game, Masuk junior kicker Jackson Zylick hit the game-winning field goal to……
On Thursday, UConn coach Jim Mora participated in a Zoom call leading up to a December 27 Wasabi Fenway Bowl against North Carolina. Of course, UNC is the next destination for former Patriots coach Bill Belichick. During the Zoom call, most of the discussion was around both that, and the comings and goings of the transfer portal. When asked about Belichick, Mora was extremely complimentary of him. “I think it’s……
A look at our final 2024 MIAA top 25 as we put a bow on the season. As is custom, we put a premium on team accomplishments. It is not simply the 25 teams for who would beat whom. That is the case In some of these placements, but not all. We like to get all eight division champions in. It was another great season, so let’s look back and remember……