The return of Mike Vrabel to New England as the Patriots’ head coach has brought a renewed optimism to Foxborough and Patriots Nation as a whole. After two 4-13 seasons, the franchise is looking to reclaim its identity, and in Vrabel, they have found a leader whose “alpha” mentality is exactly what the team needed to turn things around. Vrabel, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots as a…
New England well-represented with 10 preseason FCS Stats Perform All-Americans
As the start of college training camps creeps closer and closer, lists and rankings are starting to trickle out ahead of the 2025 season. On Tuesday, FCS Stats Perform – secondary to the AFCA rankings and polls, but noteworthy nonetheless – released its preseason All-American teams. New England schools are well-represented with defending CAA champs URI and the local Ivy League schools making the biggest splash. First team offense: Marquis…
Breaking Down New Canaan’s 2025 Schedule
New Canaan has been one of the most dominate programs in Connecticut the past 30 years. The Rams have won back to back Class L titles and return a talented team led by Villanova commit Andrew Esposito, of the best two players in New England. New Canaan will have to replace several key starters from last season but. The underclassmen groups have talent and there plenty of young players ready……
Patriots Positional Preview: Defensive line
The Patriots loaded up along the defensive line with the additions of Milton Williams, Joshua Farmer and Khyris Tonga. The three along with the returning Christian Barmore and Keion White gives the Patriots a formidable five man rotation. The defensive line will be counted on to get as much pressure as possible. The Patriots will blitz but is more about the front getting home. That is how the defense will…
Late two-point stop gives Windsor title at 18th Tri-State Grip It & Rip It tournament
By Craig Boland NEFJ Correspondent NEW CANAAN – Windsor High School defeated Fairfield Ludlowe 24-23, after Ludlowe unsuccessfully tried a two-point conversion with time running out to capture the 18th annual Tri-State Grip It & Rip It title on Saturday. Windsor went 7-1 on the weekend, going undefeated in Friday’s pool play and defeating Darien in the first round of Saturday’s bracket, before losing to Greenwich Country Day. After the…
Fairfield Prep wins 17th annual high school Linemen Challenge
By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent SOUTHINGTON — On Saturday, offensive linemen across the state of Connecticut got their chance to shine at the 17th annual Southington Linemen Challenge at Southington High School. Centers, guards, tackles, tight ends and defensive linemen competed in a three-plus hour long competition over nine different events. Tug of War Battle, Agility Obstacle Course, Crab Sled Relay, Bench Press, Heavy Bag, Move the Mountain, Truck Push,…
Pirates Four Point Preview: Massachusetts Pirates (7-6) at Tulsa Oilers (7-6)
Courtesy of Mass Pirates Kickoff: The Pirates are coming off of a 54-31 win last week over Iowa. The win clinched a playoff spot for the Pirates. Massachusetts won the first meeting against Tulsa on June 21st, 58-37 at the Tsongas Center. The Pirates are 4-1 all-time against the Oilers. Here are four keys for the Pirates. 1st Down: Get Bahar to Owens going early: Quarterback Kenji Bahar and wide…
Family affair at Windsor as Quinn Fleeting takes over for father Rob
Image courtesy of Scott Sulkazi By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent WINDSOR — For the last 16 years, Rob Fleeting led the Windsor Warriors football team to a 144-29 record while appearing in five state championships and winning a state title in 2014. After accepting an assistant principal position at Windsor High School on July 1, it required him to step down as the team’s head coach. It was a decision…
Patriots Positional Preview: Inside linebackers/EDGE
Images courtesy of Getty Images The Patriots fortified their inside linebacker and linebacker positions both in free agency and the draft. Adding an impact off the ball linebacker was a priority. The Patriots added two in Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens. New England also matched the Las Vegas Raiders offer sheet on Christian Elliss. Improving a stagnant pass rush was also a priority. The Patriots did that with the additions…
Defending CAA champ URI officially announces addition of 15 portal transfers
Image courtesy of URI Athletics In just a few short weeks, the URI Rams will begin training camp as defending CAA champions for the first time in 40 years. The only way to truly continue competing in the most competitive conference in all of FCS is to add as much talent as possible, both from the high school level and from the portal. With that in mind, on Friday, the…