Adam Kurkjian

Class SS — Joel Barlow 21, Watertown 20 — Falcons repeat in a thriller

December 9, 2023

By Tony Catalina NEFJ Correspondent EAST HARTFORD — The Joel Barlow Falcons faced off with the Watertown Warriors for the Class SS crown Saturday, and came out on top with a thrilling, 21-20 victory. In what was the most entertaining game of the day at Rentschler Field, the Falcons hung on in the final seconds to secure their second straight state title. When asked about the season, coach TJ Cavaliere……

Class M — Daniel Hand 57, Rockville 20 — Tigers dominate for 14th state title

December 9, 2023

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By Matt Spalding NEFJ Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — In Saturday’s Class M state title game, Daniel Hand demolished Rockville, 57-20, to win its 14th state crown. Hand dominated early and often, adding another trophy to the case of a legendary program. The game saw the Daniel Hand Tigers, led by coach Erik Becker, taking on the Rockville Rams, led by coach Erick Knickerbocker, in an Eri(c)k Bowl, of sorts. The……

Class L — New Canaan 28, Darien 21 — Rams win second straight

December 9, 2023

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By Tony Catalina NEFJ Correspondent EAST HARTFORD — The New Canaan Rams clashed with the Darien Blue Wave for the Class L state championship Saturday, and the Rams earned their second straight Class L title, 28-21. In what looked improbable even half way through the fourth quarter, the Rams found a way to make timely plays on both offense and defense to come from behind to secure another trophy. “That……

Class MM — North Haven 21, Wilton 0 — Nighthawks dominate in all three phases

December 9, 2023

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By Matt Spalding NEFJ Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — North Haven shut out Wilton, 21-0, to win its second consecutive CIAC Class MM state championship. Domination of all three phrases by the Nighthawks was the name of the first of three games contested at Arute Field on CIAC Championship Saturday. North Haven coach Anthony Sagnella clutched his family tight after winning his second straight state championship game. You could certainly understand……

Class S — Bloomfield 42, Cromwell/Portland 20 — Warhawks pull away

December 9, 2023

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By Tony Catalina NEFJ Correspondent EAST HARTFORD — For the second time in three years, the Bloomfield and Cromwell/Portland powerhouse programs met with a state title on the line. In 2021, Cromwell/Portland won it. But on Saturday, Bloomfield took home the Class S title, 42-20. In what was an offensive dominated day, Bloomfield was able to continuously strike all day long. When asked what this win feels like, Bloomfield coach……

Champions Q&A: King Philip coach Brian Lee

December 7, 2023

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What a a year for King Philip and coach Brian Lee. The Warriors had a 13-0 season, and rolled to a D2 state title with a win over Marshfield. This marked the third state championship in the last seven tournaments for KP, although some might say this was their best team. It was a special year for the Warriors, so we talked to Lee about his team, and how he……

Final MIAA Top 25

December 3, 2023

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Every year, the players, coaches, administrators, and fans outdo themselves, and we have another unbelievable year of high school football in Massachusetts. This fall was no different. We saw some tremendous performances, and unreal matchups that produced high drama. These kids just produced a high level of play throughout, and it was so much fun. As for these rankings, we take in a lot of factors. Certainly, we look at…

Boston College QB Emmett Morehead enters transfer portal

December 2, 2023

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In a move that was not unexpected, Boston College backup quarterback Emmett Morehead entered the transfer portal Saturday night. In one of the major twists of the BC football season, Morehead was originally set to start for the Eagles this fall. But Thomas Castellanos quickly took the job, and never let go of it. For this season, Morehead, a 6-foot-5, 235-pounder from Woodside, Calif., completed 15 of 30 passes for……

Friday’s state champions exceeded high expectations

December 2, 2023

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Preseason expectations are funny. For some teams, they can feel like a heavy weight, and add unwanted pressure. They can crumble a team’s psyche. Then, for others, those expectations don’t affect them negatively at all. And those squads fly past them, and even improve upon them. It was the latter scenario for the three state title winners in Friday’s games at Gillette Stadium. Uxbridge in D7, Duxbury in D4, and……

Division 5 Super Bowl — Foxboro 48, Hanover 21 — Storybook finish for Warriors

December 2, 2023

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FOXBORO — For a season in which Jack Martinelli won his 300th game, and capped it off with a D5 state title, the Foxboro coach had the perfect word for it. “You know, it’s been storybook,” Martinelli said. “But, as I said early on, kids have personal goals. They have team goals. I never asked anything what they were. I said it always bears the truth at the end of……