Image courtesy of Harvard Athletics By Mike Sidhly NEFJ Correspondent PAWTUCKET – As the rain fell in the 125th meeting between No. 25 Harvard and Brown on Friday night, Crimson defensive back Xaden Benson put on one of the best defensive performances in school history. The junior accounted for four total turnovers and became the first Harvard player since 2008 to corral three interceptions. Benson’s defensive fortitude along with an…
Springfield Central 21, Xaverian 14 – In matchup of Super Bowl contenders, Golden Eagles beat Hawks
By Dante Iafrate NEFJ Correspondent SPRINGFIELD – A year after Xaverian ended its season in the Division 1 semifinals, Springfield Central got a small measure of revenge on Friday night. The Golden Eagles held off the three-time defending champs 21-14 behind another big night from Isaiah Rogers. Both defenses set the tone early, trading three-and-outs and stalled drives for most of the first quarter before Central finally broke through. Jahir…
Duxbury 15, Barnstable 6 – Dragons hand Redhawks first loss
By Garrett Lynch NEFJ Correspondent BARNSTABLE – When the weather is bad, it always comes down to the running game and defense. That was the theme Friday night as Duxbury handed Barnstable its first loss of the season with a gritty 15-6 road win. “Really, the defense all week was dialed in,” said Duxbury head coach Matt Landolfi. “We really focused on the fundamentals, hands-on. Really trying to move (Barnstable)…
Plainville 21, Newington 6 – Blue Devils storm past Nor’Easters
Image courtesy of Dan Heary By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent NEWINGTON — Last week, Plainville sophomore standout wide receiver Christian Hairston had a breakout game, recording 10 receptions for 230 yards and three receiving touchdowns in the team’s blowout win over Barlow. A week later, Hairston had another productive performance, recording three receptions, 154 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns in the Blue Devils’ 21-6 road win against the Newington…
Bishop Hendricken 28, Central Catholic 12 – Hawks soar past Raiders in big interstate matchup
By Michael Najarian NEFJ Correspondent WARWICK — Bishop Hendricken wanted to erase the sting of a tough loss to Central Catholic in 2025. On home field, the Hawks did just that. Fighting off a second-half comeback, Hendricken took down the Raiders 28-12 on Friday night, winning their second straight game. Head coach Keith Croft noticed the surge in energy from the Hawks’ sideline early and credited that as a big…
Kaitlyn Croker reflects on unique experience during Red Bandanna game
Two weeks ago Friday night, Kaitlyn Croker sang in front of the biggest crowd she’s ever seen before. Croker was the national anthem singer prior to the Red Bandanna Game on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a night that carried even more emotion than usual when honoring Welles Crowther. While Croker isn’t technically from the area, her family is. Over two dozen members of that family were on hand to…
High School Dudes of the Week
Some great performances in New England this week. Here are this week’s High School Dudes of the Week.
Old Rochester 13, Dartmouth 12 – Observations from a gritty Bulldogs win
By Tyler Amaral NEFJ Correspondent DARTMOUTH – Old Rochester won its first two games of the season in convincing fashion. During the season, there will be difficult moments, requiring teams to dig deep. That moment came Thursday night for the Bulldogs. Old Rochester trailed 6-0 and 12-6 against Dartmouth, but didn’t take its first lead until there were 23 seconds left in regulation. Junior running back Benji Baptiste scored the…
New Britain 21, Maloney 20 – Seymour’s 3 touchdowns lead Golden Hurricanes to win
Image courtesy of Dan Heary By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — After erasing a 28-point deficit in a 30-28 win against Maloney football team last year, New Britain staved off a 20-point second half comeback from the Spartans on Thursday night, earning a 21-20 win. The Golden Hurricanes gained an early 14-0 lead a minute-and-half into the second quarter with a pair of touchdown runs from quarterback Billy…
Ashton Grant & Liam Coen crossing paths for first time this weekend
FOXBOROUGH – Somehow, Ashton Grant and Liam Coen haven’t crossed paths in their coaching careers despite both being local guys. They’ve both had multiple stops around New England after lengthy playing careers, gone to countless coaching clinics and each had a handful of stops around the NFL and yet, nothing. It almost happened though…sort of. Bob Chesney had hired Coen away from Maine to be his offensive coordinator in January…