By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Staff NORTH ANDOVER — Sacred Heart used a strong second half to outlast Merrimack, 31-20 in the inaugural Yankee Conference Championship on Saturday. It was senior day at Duane Stadium for the host Warriors (4-6) and a day where Merrimack had the opportunity to close out its home schedule with a win and a ‘conference’ crown paying homage to the old days. However, Sacred Heart (5-6)…
MIAA D2 Quarterfinal: (1) Catholic Memorial 48, (8) Bridgewater-Raynham 14 – Knights waltz back into state semis
By Tyler Amaral NEFJ Staff WEST ROXBURY – Top-seeded Catholic Memorial rolled to 48-14 blowout win over No. 8 Bridgewater-Raynham Saturday afternoon to advance to the Division 2 state semifinals. The Knights shook off some early cobwebs and pulled away from the Trojans early. Catholic Memorial got the ball to start the game. On its first play from scrimmage, senior running back Mekhi Dodd fumbled at the end of an…
Patriots releasing Tyquan Thornton
AP Photo/Michael Dwyer According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots are releasing wide receiver Tyquan Thornton. Thornton was a second round pick out of Baylor in 2022. He was supposed to add a vertical speed element to the Patriots offense but Thornton never became that player due to injuries and inconsistency. The Patriots were carrying seven receivers on their 53-man roster but with the other young receivers on the roster…
Boston College 4 down preview: BC Eagles (5-4) at SMU Mustangs (8-1)
Image courtesy of ESPN Kickoff: After a wild week where BC’s face of the program Tommy Castellanos was benched and then decided to hop in the transfer portal, the Eagles have also had to get ready for a game against the top team in the ACC and No. 14 team in the country, SMU. 1st Down: Grayson James is now the leading man in Chestnut Hill. James immediately gives BC…
UMass 4 down preview: Liberty Flames (6-2) at UMass Minutemen (2-7)
By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff Kickoff: The Liberty Flames travel to Amherst on Saturday afternoon to take on the UMass Minutemen. After suffering a 45-20 loss at Mississippi State two weeks ago, the Minutemen come off their second bye week of the season hoping some rest can help their final three games of the season finish on a high note. 1st Down: The news of redshirt senior quarterback Taisun Phommachahn (132-for-234, 1,590-yards,…
MIAA D1 Quarterfinal: (4) Needham 31, (5) Central Catholic 7 – Rockets cruise into Final 4 for 2nd straight year
NEEDHAM – In 2023, Needham came out of nowhere to make a run at the Division 1 Final Four. In 2024, the Rockets were no longer flying under the radar, but it hasn’t mattered. The target on their collective back grew each week, but Doug Kopcso’s team has answered each challenge. On Friday night, the now 10-0 fourth-seeded Rockets dominated the line of scrimmage, got three rushing touchdowns from Aidan…
MIAA D1 Quarterfinal: (3) Xaverian 35, (6) Leominster 20 – Hawks head to state semis with strong defensive effort
By Jared Keene NEFJ Staff WESTWOOD – When Xaverian and Leominster squared off Friday night, the primary matchup to watch was how the Hawks defense would deal with Blue Devils standout dual-threat QB Osiris Lopez. Lopez accounted for three touchdowns (two pass, one rush), but wasn’t able to really get into a rhythm throughout and was often pressured by Xaverian’s defensive line. The real difference in the game, however, came…
MIAA D6 Quarterfinal: (1) Hudson 28, (8) Sandwich 21 – Hawks survive scare to reach state semifinals
By Dante Iafrate NEFJ Staff HUDSON – Owen Nanartowich’s hands never trembled. Not when a dropped pass by a teammate set the tone for a shaky Hudson start, and not when a fourth-and-five conversion hung in the balance midway through the third quarter. It was Nanartowich’s sure-handedness, along with the composure of quarterback Jake Attaway, that helped the top-seeded Hudson Hawks survive a serious upset bid from the eighth-seeded Sandwich…
Brookfield 28, Masuk 14 – Bobcats get big win over Panthers with Connecticut postseason looming
By Craig Boland NEFJ Staff MONROE – Brookfield quarterback Thad Balzi punched in a goal line run, followed by a successful extra point from Ethan Chaber to put away a 28-14 win over Masuk on Friday night. Brookfield started that final drive at Masuk’s 10 due to a Balzi sack, followed by a Balzi pressure that forced an intentional grounding safety, which was declined by Brookfield in order to take…
Rhode Island State Semifinals: (1) Bishop Hendricken 35, (4) Cumberland 22 – Hawks advance to 16th straight state title game
By Charlie Adams NEFJ Staff WARWICK – Poorly timed penalties sunk Cumberland’s playoff hopes on Friday as Bishop Hendricken advanced to its 16th straight state championship game. No. 1 Hendricken relied on its versatile run game to bring down No. 4 Cumberland in the state semifinals, 35-22. The Clippers conclude its season with a 4-5 record, while the Hawks (6-2) will advance to take on La Salle in the state…