DANVERS – Where do we begin? St. John’s Prep vs. Springfield Central to open the season was the marquee matchup in Massachusetts on Friday night. It lived up to the billing and then became a true instant classic that will be remembered for a long, long time. Trailing by 14 in the fourth quarter, Prep stormed back and eventually got a go-ahead two-yard touchdown run from Jordan Toribio on 4th-and-goal…
King Philip 21, Walpole 0 – Gritty not pretty for Warriors in win over Timberwolves
Photo by Tom O’Brien By Tom O’Brien NEFJ Correspondent WRENTHAM – A smash mouth running game and an outstanding defensive performance propelled King Philip to a 21-0 win over Walpole at home on Friday night. You always take the win, but KP head coach Brian Lee wasn’t thrilled with the performance. “A win is a win. We’re happy,” said Lee “We thought Walpole had a really nice game plan against…
LaSalle 22, BC High 15 (OT) – Rams take down Eagles on the road
Photo by Gary Rosario By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Staff BOSTON — Thomas Welsh’s interception in overtime lifted La Salle Academy to a thrilling 22-15 victory over Boston College High on Friday night. After BC High took a 15-7 lead on a Noah Federico touchdown run – which came after Adam Ayyub picked off Samuel Perry – Donald Young got the Rams into Eagles territory on the ensuing kickoff. Brady Nardozzi…
Xaverian 35, Bishop Feehan 7 – Hawks open the season with dominant performance
By Tim Crowley NEFJ Contributor ATTLEBORO – Xaverian’s defense of the D1 state title got off to a hot start Friday night. The two-time defending champ Hawks wasted no time making a statement through the air, with the offense leading the way to a dominant 35-7 road win over Bishop Feehan. Junior quarterback Will Wood – who holds an offer from Syracuse – wasted no time emerging as the star…
Leominster 38, St. John’s (Shrewsbury) 0 – Blue Devils make a statement in season opener
By Dante Iafrate NEFJ Correspondent LEOMINSTER – Leominster opened the 2025 season with a statement win, blanking St. John’s 38-0 on Friday night behind a suffocating defense and a balanced offensive attack. The Blue Devils wasted no time setting the tone. After forcing an early turnover, Leominster capitalized to grab a 22-0 first-quarter lead. Quarterback Osiris Lopez led the offense with poise, while veteran playmakers like wide receiver Ryan Ricker…
New England college preview – Week 2
After an up-and-down week for the New England programs in Week 1, we hit Week 2 with 13 of the 17 teams back in action. There are some big matchups, some winnable games and some ‘got to have it’ contests for others. Here’s a quick look at how the slate looks: WEEK 2 9/6 UConn @ Syracuse (Noon) The Huskies look to go 2-0 on the year when they make…
CIAC Class SS preview
By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent Outlook: Killingly is the team to beat in Class SS heading into the 2025 season. The Trailblazers will look to win its fourth state title since the 2017 season and are equipped to do so. The Trailblazers return a total of 19 starters, losing just one on offense and two on defense from last season. Hayden Allard is arguably the state’s best running back, as…
Waltham 24, Belmont 12 – Hawks open season with impressive road win
By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Staff BELMONT — The fans filled up Harris Field in Belmont to kick off the 2025 season on Thursday night, but it was the road team celebrating in the end. Waltham played spoiler to Belmont’s home opener thanks to a big defensive effort and a strong game from senior Wes O’Connor, earning a 24-12 win. “It wasn’t pretty, it was ugly at times but we persevered, we…
Patriots not sleeping on Dylan Laube in return game
Image courtesy of UNH Athletics This Sunday, there will be plenty of people both in the stands and watching at home rooting for former UNH star Dylan Laube. Laube is in his second year with the Raiders and very well could be Las Vegas’ main kickoff returner when Andy Borregales boots the ball around 1:05 on Sunday afternoon. During his senior season in 2023 with the Wildcats, Laube was No….
CIAC Class S preview
Outlook: The Ansonia Chargers defeated the Bloomfield Warhawks for the 2024 Class S state championship. Ansonia was led by running back Quintez Whittle, who was one of the state’s best running backs, and a stout offensive line. They return six starters on each side of the ball including OL/DL Jacob Romanowski.