By Tyler Amaral NEFJ Correspondent FAIRHAVEN – Justin Marques added another thrilling chapter to his storybook high school career Friday night. The senior scored four touchdowns – breaking the state career record – in third-seeded Fairhaven’s 36-34 overtime win over No. 6 Lynnfield in a Division 6 quarterfinal matchup. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line on the first series of overtime, Fairhaven head coach Derek Almeida gave the ball…
MIAA D1 Quarterfinal: (1) St. John’s Prep 44, (8) Methuen 7 – Eagles flying high into Final 4
By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Staff DANVERS — St. John’s Prep’s stifling defense bottled up Shane Eason and the high-powered Methuen offense for a 44-7 win in an MIAA D1 quarterfinal on Friday night. The top-seeded Eagles (9-1) will face fourth-seeded Needham next weekend (Day/Time/Location TBD) with a trip to the Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium on the line. Methuen falls to 8-2 with Thanksgiving Day still remaining. St. John’s Prep’s…
MIAA D4 Quarterfinal: (3) Grafton 35, (6) Marblehead 0 – Gators roll into Final 4
Andrew Guindon NEFJ Staff GRAFTON – Grafton running back and senior captain Finn Gilmore led the No. 3 Gators to a 35-0 victory over No. 6 Marblehead in the MIAA D4 Elite Eight on Friday night, rushing for three touchdowns. “Finn has been doing this all year,” said Grafton head coach Chris McMahon. “All of a sudden he’s picking up a few yards, then he breaks one; he’s pretty patient,…
New England college preview – Week 12
It’s cold again, which means it’s almost playoff time. It’s been quite a busy week in college football locally and this Saturday 15 of the 16 New England D1 teams are in action. UConn is the only program on a bye before they head to Syracuse next weekend. Here’s a look at each matchup, including a few very important ones with massive bowl eligibility, league championship and playoff implications in…
Lachapelle and Marinelli reflect on milestone 400 wins
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…
Holy Cross faces must-win situation in final home game of 2024
The dream’s not dead, but it’s hanging by a thread. After a tough 10-7 loss to Lehigh last weekend, there’s a three-way tie atop the Patriot League with two weeks left, but the Crusaders are going to need some breaks to go their way if they want to claim a share of a sixth straight league title. But, before there’s any more playoff talk, at 4-6 overall and 3-1 in…
Cardona provides some insight into Navy-Notre Dame rivalry coming to Gillette Stadium
If you were lucky enough to experience Army-Navy in Foxborough last year, we’ll have a small taste again in two years. It was announced on Tuesday that the 99th edition of the Notre Dame-Navy game will be played at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2026. “We are thrilled to host the 2026 Navy-Notre Dame Game and welcome these two historic programs and their passionate fanbases to Gillette Stadium for the…
Newest Patriot Nkagoue hoping to help turn the tide in Foxborough
Yannick Ngakoue has been around the league since 2016 and has plenty of experience playing in Foxborough. Ngakoue has been with the Jaguars, Ravens, Raiders, Colts, Bears and Vikings. The newest addition to the New England organization met with the media for the first time since being claimed off waivers and was asked first what his thoughts were and second, what expectations have been set for him. “Excited. Happy for…
Report: Former BC QB Thomas Castellanos heading to transfer portal
Who had this on the New England football bingo card for 2024? On3’s Pete Nakos reported (and I was able to confirm) that BC quarterback – well, former BC quarterback – Thomas Castellanos will be heading to the transfer portal when the window opens on December 9th. Just three days ago, Castellanos was the starting QB of an Eagles team looking to come out of the bye strong at home…
Ryan Bannon etches his name in North Attleboro history
Even now, as a senior at North Attleboro, Ryan Bannon can rattle off the names of former Red Rocketeers greats whom he looked up to as a kid. Chad Peterson. Zach DeMattio. Ryan Clemente. Those players led North to postseason success, and Bannon, a running back and linebacker, now does the same. It’s that carrying of the torch, a youth player watching the older ones, then doing the same, that……