Kevin Stone

Harasymiak adds first few coaches to new UMass staff

December 13, 2024

New UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak announced a trio of staff additions on Thursday in a statement released by the program. Joe Castellitto (Special Teams Coordinator), Tre Bell (Cornerbacks) and Kayon Whitaker (Defensive Analyst) are all joining this new era of Minuteman football. Castellitto spent the previous two seasons at Dartmouth under the late Buddy Teevens. Castelitto joined the Big Green as the special teams coordinator and nickels coach initially…….

BC players weigh-in on Belichick joining the ACC

December 12, 2024

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Image courtesy of BC Athletics While BC and North Carolina don’t technically play against each other again until 2028, this is going to be fun. Bill Belichick is of course joining the ACC as the new head coach at North Carolina, meaning Bill O’Brien is now back in indirect competition with his former boss and mentor. The prospect of the two of them squaring off in the ACC title game…

Needham’s Kopcso named Patriots Coach of the Year

December 11, 2024

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What does two straight wins on Thanksgiving in the country’s oldest public school rivalry and the program’s first Super Bowl appearance in 13 years get you? Just recognition from the New England Patriots as the high school Coach of the Year, no biggie. Andre Tippett – as he’s done for many years now each week – presented Kopcso with the award at Needham High School on Tuesday with a few…

UNH announces six new recruits in 2025 class

December 10, 2024

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Last Wednesday was the first National Signing Day for the 2025 season and while UNH didn’t make anything official on the actual day, the program did finally do so on Monday. The No. 19-ranked Wildcats – yes, UNH is still in the Top 20 despite the playoffs still going on – announced the addition of six recruits in a statement Monday afternoon. The players are listed below: Seven Bullock, (WR),…

Jones hoping to show he belongs in New England

December 9, 2024

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The day after Thanksgiving, Truman Jones was like most people, just sitting at home not doing much of anything after the holiday. That quickly changed when he learned he’d have to hop on a flight back to some very familiar territory. After being released from the Chiefs practice squad on November 26th, the Patriots decided to bring the former star Harvard big man in for a workout last Monday. Things…

CIAC Class LL state semifinal: Greenwich 14, Staples 0 – Cardinals shut down Wreckers to reach state final

December 8, 2024

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By Craig Boland NEFJ Staff WESTPORT – Leading by two touchdowns with 3:00 left in the fourth quarter of a Class LL state semifinal against Staples on Sunday, Greenwich defensive back Jack Carroll intercepted a Nick Weil pass that seemed to seal the deal. But, on the very next play, Justin Halky of Staples recovered a fumble to give the Wreckers one more chance. The Greenwich defense stifled Staples though…

BC, UConn both going bowling on December 28th

December 8, 2024

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The Eagles and Huskies will keep New England college football fans busy on Saturday, December 28. It was officially announced on Sunday that BC will be facing Nebraska in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium at noon on ABC. One hour earlier, UConn will be ‘hosting’ North Carolina in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl that’s set to kickoff at 11 a.m. on ESPN. For BC, this is the…

FCS playoffs: Mercer 17, Rhode Island 10 – Rams see magical season end with tough road loss

December 8, 2024

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Image courtesy of Connor Caldon It may sound like sour grapes, but the University of Rhode Island should be preparing for an FCS quarterfinal against North Dakota State right now. Instead, the Rams’ last road trip of the season was a crushing flight home from Macon, Georgia after URI lost 17-10 to Mercer in the second round of the playoffs on Saturday. Shawn Harris Jr. had two first half touchdowns…

CIAC playoff preview – Class S & Class SS

December 7, 2024

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By Craig Boland NEFJ Staff On Sunday, December 8, at 12:30 PM, 24 teams across six divisions will play across the state to determine the state championship matchups to be played the following weekend at Rentschler Field (UConn) or Arute Stadium (CCSU). Below are previews for the state’s two small school divisions. Class SS (332-418 boys) Waterford (9-2) at Killingly (11-0) Killingly won their quarterfinal game 75-14. They have also…

CIAC playoff preview – Class M & Class MM

December 7, 2024

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By Craig Boland NEFJ Staff On Sunday, December 8, at 12:30 PM, 24 teams across six divisions will play across the state to determine the state championship matchups to be played the following weekend at Rentschler Field (UConn) or Arute Stadium (CCSU). Below are previews for the state’s two medium-sized divisions. Class MM (507-604 boys): Newington (10-1) at Windsor (11-0), Windsor High School Newington rolls into the semifinals after a…