By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Correspondent PEABODY – Danvers captured its first Northeastern Conference title, leaning on an impressive defensive and special teams performance during a 17-14 victory over Peabody. The Falcons (7-0), as they have all season, used their defense to contain a high-powered Tanners (6-2) offense. The clinching moment came when senior Nick Xerras recorded a sack on Dominik Mercier, which forced 3rd-&-long; the Falcons defense then forced a……

By Mike Sidhly NEFJ Correspondent STONEHAM – There was one key theme in Melrose’ win on Friday night: Special teams. The Red Hawks (6-2) recorded 18 special teams points in their regular season finale, defeating Stoneham 30-0 on the road. Junior returner Parker Siebel shined, finishing the game with two touchdowns, a kick return and a punt return. He was aided in his efforts by junior kicker Zachary Zaino, who…

By Charlie Adams NEFJ Correspondent EAST GREENWICH – Armand Reed finished his freshman year with Cranston East’s first win since 2018; three years later, his performance helped seal an undefeated regular season. The Thunderbolts used a dominant second half to take down East Greenwich 34-7, ending the Avengers’ hopes of their own undefeated season and securing the top spot in the postseason. “This past week in practice, they really buckled…

By Michael Najarian NEFJ Correspondent WEST ROXBURY — Asked to describe the partnership between himself and Maxwell Parent in the St. John’s Prep backfield, Michael Salemi kept it short: “You can’t stop it.” Behind two rushing touchdowns from Salemi and two rushing TDs from Parent, including the game-winner, St. John’s Prep outlasted Catholic Memorial with a 42-35 win on the road Friday night. St. John’s (8-0) secured the Catholic Conference…

By Dante Iafrate NEFJ Correspondent WALPOLE – As Mason Falcone kept getting the ball, Walpole continued to get the answers it needed. The senior co-captain ran for three touchdowns, including a five-yard score up the middle with 5:28 to play. Fellow co-captain Dylan Katz then stuffed Natick quarterback Matt Caissie on 4th-&-1 in the closing minutes, as Walpole held on for a wild 31-28 win Friday night at Walpole High…

Image courtesy of Catholic Memorial  By Tyler Amaral NEFJ Correspondent We’ve reached the final week of the regular season for MIAA schools. There is still plenty on the line entering week eight. Teams are fighting for playoff seeding, league titles, and in some cases a third win to reach the minimum win threshold. Other states in the region, along with the NEPSAC, still have more regular season weeks ahead. Vermont…