What a year it was around New England. Historic changes, playoff droughts ended, award-winning performances and of course, state champions crowned. Here’s what we think were the biggest stories in what was a memorable 2024 season: 1. Bill Belichick fired and Jerod Mayo hired – This was obviously the most noteworthy thing that happened locally in 2024 and it came just a week or so into the year. Jerod Mayo began…
Courtesy of Springfield Athletics Springfield College Head Coach Mike Cerasuolo was named the National Division 3 Head Coach of the Year on Thursday. Cerasuolo was named coach of the year after a historic season for the Pride. Springfield won 12 games and became the second team from New England to ever reach the national quarterfinals. The only other team to do that was the 2000 Springfield team. Springfield scored 583…
Image courtesy of UNC Athletics One day, you’re helping Holy Cross to a share of its sixth straight Patriot League title, the next, you’re being recruited by the greatest coach in NFL history. It’s been a whirlwind month or two for former fifth-year senior Christo Kelly. As a team captain and veteran leader of the Crusaders, Kelly had all the answers whenever his teammates needed them and even some for…
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…
(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) How many of you had Bill Belichick interviewing for the North Carolina opening? I know I didn’t see that coming and chances are, neither did you. Belichick interviewing for a college job makes zero sense considering that outside of being around the Navy Football program, he has no college experience. Sure, he has plenty of college connections but those relationships are built on evaluating players, not…
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Sharon High School sophomore Rohan Shukla who suffered a brain injury in the Thanksgiving Day game against Oliver Ames. Rohan was rushed to the hospital where he had to have emergency surgery for a brain bleed. I got to know Rohan personally this off-season when I worked with him and one of his teammates. He is terrific young man who works hard…
Northbridge coach Ken Lachapelle and New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli accomplished a rare feat for football coaches on Friday night. Both won their 400th game. When NEFJ told both coaches that they had each won their 400th game, the first thing each of them said was, “Please congratulate coach for me.” It speaks to the kind of people Coach Lachapelle and Coach Marinelli are. It’s why they have lasted so…
Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images FOXBOROUGH – When the Patriots take on the Bears inside historic Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon, Vederian Lowe won’t have a ton of family and friends there despite growing up in Rockford, Illinois. In fact, there’s only one person that’ll be there cheering him on. His grandfather Jerry Lowe will see him play in the NFL for the first time. Since being drafted by…
Let’s be honest, there’s not much for Patriots fans to get excited about on game day. But, this weekend, maybe those apple picks and trips to the mall (do people still go to the mall anymore? I feel wicked old for saying this). This weekend, the Pats-Bears game is certainly worth your attention for a few hours. Sure, the records of both teams indicate this is a game between two…
AP Photo/George Walker IV) The Patriots overcame a sluggish day offensively to force overtime on a miracle play by Drake Maye on the last play of the game only to surrender a field goal in the extra session and lose on a game ending interception by Maye, 20-17. Here are seven thoughts on the Patriots loss today. 1. Offensive game plan was lacking: The offensive game plan lacked creativity…