By Tom O’Brien NEFJ Correspondent NORTH ATTLEBORO – Last year Mansfield and North Attleboro met at Gillette for a state title game where North Attleboro prevailed. The Hornets returned the favor on Friday, taking down North Attleboro 24-14 in an instant classic. “This is such a great rivalry. Two of the best programs in the state side by side. The kids kinda don’t like each other but at the end…
Central Catholic 38, Andover 20 – Led by Smith, Raiders handle business vs. Warriors
By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Staff LAWRENCE – Central Catholic quarterback Caden Smith totaled five touchdowns to help lead Central Catholic to 38-20 victory over Andover in a Merrimack Valley Conference showdown on Friday. Central Catholic (4-3) came into this game looking to get back on the winning side of things after falling to Methuen before their bye week, Andover on the other hand, looked to keep the momentum going after…
Hudson 29, West Boylston 7 – Hawks roll on senior night
By Jared Keene NEFJ Correspondent HUDSON – Hudson didn’t need much motivation heading into Friday night’s contest with defending Division 8 champion West Boylston-Tahanto. The defending Division 6 champs had it provided for them by a couple of former Patriots players. David Andrews and Brian Hoyer were there as part of the Hawks hosting the New England Patriots Nike Rivalries game, with the two serving as honorary captains. At one…
Masconomet 45, Marblehead 42 – Chieftains win wild shootout over Magicians to clinch league title
By Oliver Fox NEFJ Correspondent BOXFORD – In a Northeastern Conference shootout on Friday night, the Masconomet outlasted the Marblehead to clinch their first league title with a 45-42 win in perhaps the game of the year. The Chieftains found themselves down three scores (42-25) with five minutes remaining and took its first lead of the night with just 18 seconds left in the game. With Marblehead winning 10 of…
New Canaan 14, Greenwich 7 – In big time Connecticut battle, Rams come out on top
By Craig Boland NEFJ Correspondent NEW CANAAN – With roughly one minute remaining in the fourth quarter, New Canaan safety Blake Schwartz intercepted a pass from Greenwich QB Phil Tarantino in the end zone intended for Jack Kelly, to cap a physical and competitive 14-7 win for the Rams. The interception from Schwartz was not the first consequential turnover of the game, or even the quarter. Earlier in the fourth,…
Marshfield 7, Hingham 6 – Rams squeak by Harbormen on late missed field goal
By Tyler Amaral NEFJ Staff HINGHAM – The Marshfield defense pitched a shutout through three quarters, but over the final nine minutes of the game, the Rams struggled to contain Hingham quarterback Jake Varholak. Varholak and the Harbormen drove 46 yards to the Marshfield four yard line in under three minutes, positioning themselves to steal a win from Marshfield. The Marshfield defense tightened when it mattered most, stuffing three straight…
Berlin 24, Newington 7 – Redcoats pull away in 2nd half to remain undefeated
Image courtesy of Dan Heary By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent BERLIN — Both Berlin football coach John Capodice and Newington football coach John Acquavita knew it was going to be a battle on Alumni Field between the two neighboring teams on Route 5. After a 7-7 halftime tie, it was the Redcoats used a 17-point second half and shut out Newington to earn a 24-7 win, remaining undefeated at 6-0….
Patriots players share thoughts on Massachusetts high school football experience
FOXBOROUGH – A week ago Friday, Drake Maye got all the attention when he showed up at the wild CM-Xaverian game. But, he wasn’t the only Patriots player in attendance. Morgan Moses, Demario ‘Pop’ Douglas and Kyle Williams were all there as well. Somehow – despite being a mountain of a man – Moses blended in with the crowd, sitting in the stands, enjoying the show like everyone else. As…
Big Game Predictions for Week 8/9
Lots of great games in the area this week, especially on the high school slate. I’m picking a bunch so here are my picks. High School Mansfield at North Attleboro: One of the best rivalries in Massachusetts. Mansfield will have revenge on their mind after last year’s Super Bowl but it’s more about this year. I think this will be a close game but I like the Red Rocketeers at…
New England college preview – Week 9
It’s hard to believe, but we’ve only got a handful of weeks left in the college football season. While the ‘Big Three’ locally is more like the ‘Big One’ right now, three other FCS teams are positioned nicely for the playoffs with a few others on the hunt. Here’s how Week 9 is shaping up: Friday 10/24 Columbia @ Dartmouth (6:00) Sitting at 4-1 and 1-1 in the Ivy League…