We got a chance to catch up with Natick High School Head Football Coach Mark Mortarelli for this installment of the Recruiting Visit.

Natick has several talented players returning to a team that should contend for a Bay State League title and make a deep playoff run. All are players college coaches should be paying attention to. 

Here are some RedHawks college coaches need to know about. 

Prospects to Watch

2026 

Mike Whalen 6’4” 270 OL/DL ( has a few D1 offers- expecting more) 

Jack Showstead 5’9” 165 RB/S 

James Mortarelli 6’2” 185 RB/OLB 

Jesse Gagliardi QB/LB/athlete 6’1” 205 

Charlie Lewis WR/DB 6’2” 205 

Jonathan Chase OL/DL 5’10” 185 

Chris Albert WR/DB 6’1” 175 

Pedro Mello OL/DL 5’11” 205

2027

Griffin Martell OL/DL 6’1” 255 

Matt Cassie QB 5’11” 175 

Brandon Leshinski WR/RB/LB 6’1” 195 

Colin Bubonovich WR/DB 6’0′ 180 

Marco Mariano RB/LB 5’9” 170

Coach’s Quote: “We have a good group of seniors returning. We have multiple kids who have earned playing time since their sophomore year and have experience playing in big games. Mike Whalen is our top recruit, but we have some high end academic kids that are getting interest from NESCAC and other great academic schools. (Showstead, Mortarelli, Gagliardi and Lewis) We have some explosive athletes in our incoming junior class as Brandon Leshiinksi, Matt Cassie and Colin Bubonovich have all made big plays for our program.  Overall, it’s the type of team you want to coach.  We have a group of tough kids who care about the team and are willing to play wherever the team needs them. It’s refreshing. We have some speed and talent in our incoming Junior class and we look forward to having a great summer of workouts and preparing a team that is disciplined and physically and mentally tough.”