Adam Kurkjian

MIAA D3 State Semifinal: (3) Mansfield 42, (10) Walpole 28 — Hornets book Gillette trip

November 22, 2024

By Jared Keene NEFJ Staff TAUNTON — Victory tasted sweet, but on Friday night, redemption — not necessarily revenge — tasted even sweeter for Mansfield. Last year, the Hornets came oh so close to beating Walpole and advancing to the Division 3 semifinals. But the Timberwolves had other ideas, scoring a touchdown in the final 30 seconds to emerge victorious and end Mansfield’s postseason. Fast forward a year. The way……

Rhode Island D1 State Championship: Bishop Hendricken 24, La Salle 21 — It’s the Hawks’ state again

November 22, 2024

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By Charlie Adams NEFJ Staff CRANSTON — You’d think watching the same two teams compete for the state championship for the 11th time in 14 years would be stale. Friday’s game showed that this rivalry has far from run its course. No. 1 Bishop Hendricken appeared in its 16th straight state championship, defeating No. 2 La Salle for the ninth time. A late field goal earned the Hawks its 19th……

MIAA D2 State Semifinal: (1) Catholic Memorial 49, (5) Wellesley 7 — Knights pull away

November 22, 2024

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By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Staff WESTON — Catholic Memorial punched its ticket to Gillette Stadium for the fifth time in seven years after a 49-7 victory over Wellesley. Last year Catholic Memorial had a chance to get back to the state championship game for a third straight year but those hopes came to an end at the hands of Marshfield. This season the Knights focus was getting back to the……

MIAA D2 State Semifinal: (2) King Philip 34, (3) Marshfield 15 — Ground game powers Warriors

November 22, 2024

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By Tyler Amaral NEFJ Staff BRIDGEWATER — Second-seeded King Philip stuck to a familiar script Friday night in Bridgewater. The Warriors controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball — winning the rushing battle 299-76 — and winning the game 34-15 over No. 3 Marshfield in a rematch of the 2023 state title game. The Warriors are heading to their seventh state title game in the last……

Week 12 High School Preview

November 20, 2024

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All right, we are getting down to it now. We have state semifinals in Massachusetts, and state championships elsewhere. There will be some terrific matchups all across the region, so get out and catch some of them. On to the games . . . Week 12 High School Preview St. John’s Prep vs. Needham — Two of the most physical teams in the state meeting up here Friday night. Needham……

Q&A with Wellesley coach Jesse Davis

November 17, 2024

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One of the big stories coming out of the Division 2 playoffs is the play of the Wellesley Raiders. Led by coach Jesse Davis, Wellesley has beaten Plymouth North and Bishop Feehan to advance to next weekend’s game with Catholic Memorial. We spoke with Davis about his team and the playoffs. Here is an edited version of that conversation. Adam Kurkjian: A lot of people that you guys play end……

Week 9 New England Top 25

November 17, 2024

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Not a ton of movement this week, and Catholic Memorial still sits at No. 1 in New England. Week 9 New England Top 25 1. Catholic Memorial (9-1) 2. Windsor (9-0) 3. King Philip (10-0) 4. Hand (9-0) 5. Needham (10-0) 6. New Canaan (8-1) 7. St. John’s Prep (9-1) 8. Greenwich (8-1) 9. Staples (8-1) 10. Darien (8-1) 11. Scituate (10-0) 12. Bedford (10-0) 13. Fairfield Prep (8-1) 14…….

Week 9 Chaos Poll

November 17, 2024

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The NEPSAC came to a close with some great bowl games. There is a cluster at the top of those programs, who all had similar seasons. On to the poll . . . Week 9 Chaos Poll 1. Catholic Memorial (9-1) 2. King Philip (10-0) 3. Needham (10-0) 4. St. John’s Prep (9-1) 5. Williston Northampton (8-1) — A banner year for this program. 6. BB&N (8-1) — Tough loss……

Week 11 MIAA Top 25

November 17, 2024

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A wild weekend is over, and the dust is just settling. We are looking forward to an action-packed semifinal — or, Final Four — round of games. On to the rankings . . . Week 11 MIAA Top 25 1. Catholic Memorial (9-1) — Nice win over an improved Bridgewater-Raynham team. 2. King Philip (10-0) — Pulled away from Barnstable. 3. Needham (10-0) — Won it in the trenches. 4…….

No. 18 Rhode Island 20, Albany 17 — Rams edge Great Danes

November 16, 2024

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Maybe, with past University of Rhode Island teams, the Rams lose the type of game they played Saturday against Albany. Not this time. URI earned a hard-fought, 20-17 win over Albany Saturday. Now, the Rams hold a 9-2 record overall, and 6-1 mark in the Coastal Athletic Association with only next Saturday’s trip to Bryant left. The Rams fell in an early, 17-0 deficit by halftime. But the Rams rallied,……