Al Fornaro – New England Football Journal®

First Catholic Conference Showcase set to take off

April 30, 2024

It may have been a long time coming, but Xaverian will host a Catholic Conference Showcase on Thursday, May 23. Events like this have been discussed over the years, but Xaverian coach Al Fornaro helped make it happen. In the ever-competitive world of college football recruiting, it helps to get in-person evaluations. All six Catholic Conference schools — BC High, Catholic Memorial, Malden Catholic, St. John’s of Shrewsbury, St. John’s……

Recruiting Roundup: Xaverian

April 11, 2024

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It has been an eventful year at Xaverian. The Westwood Catholic Conference and state power is coming off a D1 title, its first since 2015. Leading the way for the Hawks this past season was quarterback Henry Hasselbeck, who will continue his career at UCLA. Xaverian lost a lot of talent from that squad, but the Hawks should reload and again be one of the top teams in the region…….

Transfer portal hurting high school recruits

January 9, 2024

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The transfer portal has unequivocally changed college football. But what many local coaches are talking about now, is how the portal, which facilitates the transfer of college players to new schools, is now impacting the recruitment of high school players. And, right now, the effects are negative, and hurting that high school player’s prospects, whether it is at the FBS, FCS, Division 2, or Division 3 level. Just quickly, to……

Champions Q&A: Xaverian coach Al Fornaro

December 13, 2023

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It was quite a year for the Xaverian Hawks. Injuries hit this team hard, but it kept winning at a high level. The finishing run included wins over Springfield Central, Needham, and St. John’s Prep (twice in six days). So, yes, this D1 state title? The Hawks earned every bit of it. We spoke to Xaverian coach Al Fornaro to get his thoughts on the season, and how it came……

Hasselbeck cements his legacy at Xaverian with a legendary performance

November 30, 2023

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FOXBORO- Henry Hasselbeck had a performance for the ages on Wednesday night in Xaverian’s 31-25 win over St. John’s Prep in the Division One Super Bowl. The senior signal caller rushed for 122 yards and threw for 100 yards and three touchdown passes in a signature performance that cemented his legacy at Xaverian. Hasselbeck’s path to Xaverian was unconventional. He started at Lipscomb Academy in Tennessee and then transferred to……