ISL – New England Football Journal®

New Middlesex head coach Woodward excited to return home

February 22, 2024

It’s been a long time, but Scott Woodward is heading back home. The former Mahar High School and UMass quarterback who is originally from Wendell, MA has had numerous stops during his 14-year coaching career, but he’s finally coming back to the Commonwealth. Woodward was recently named the new head coach at Middlesex, where he’ll take over after spending the last three seasons as the wide receivers coach at the…

Lawrence Academy 31, St. Sebastian’s 28 – Hughes’ late field goal keeps Spartans unbeaten

October 21, 2023

0 comment

NEEDHAM – Tied 14-14 heading to the fourth quarter of a typical grind-it-out ISL game on Friday night, it appeared 17 or 21 points might get the win for Lawrence Academy or St. Sebastian’s. Then, the offenses woke up. The Arrows and Spartans ended up in a shootout that Lawrence Academy won 31-28 thanks to a late field goal from senior Rollin Hughes. Hughes’ 31-yarder propelled the Spartans to a…

It’s a family affair for the Kelley’s when it comes to BB&N football

September 20, 2023

0 comment

Back in the early 2000’s when BB&N head coach Mike Willey was an offensive lineman blocking for former Natick star running back Keven Kelley at Tufts, there’s no way he could have envisioned coaching multiple generations of the family years later. Jack Kelley is a senior captain playing edge and wide receiver on Willey’s team while Sam is a sophomore fullback and linebacker on the squad. Both are sons of…

ISL preseason Super Team

August 30, 2023

0 comment

This is our ISL Preseason Super Team. One quick note. Some of the players listed were on their teams last year, while some of them are transfers who are new to the ISL. We included some of both, but we did leave off some notable transfers who are likely to make this list at the end of the season. Thanks, and have a great season! First Team Offense QB Michael…

Massachusetts Showcase Day – Dexter Southfield

May 16, 2023

0 comment

BROOKLINE – Around 10:15 on Tuesday morning, the Dexter Southfield campus was quiet as kids were in class. By 10:30, just outside the Kraft Fieldhouse and Fusco Arena, dozens and dozens of NCAA scouts and some head coaches from around the country began convening just outside one of the end zones in preparation of the next Showcase Day. Between Monday and Tuesday, Connecticut and Massachusetts have been the epicenter of…

Transfer season the rule, not the exception

March 17, 2023

0 comment

It is just that time of year. Transfer season is upon us. While it is common to see all types of transfers — public to public, public to Catholic, among them — the one that you see the most right now is public to private, or NEPSAC. It is simply a part of the fabric of high school football in New England. For years, NEPSAC programs did not aggressively pursue…

High School: Final Prep School Poll

November 21, 2022

1 comment

Image Courtesy Ray Teodora/Twitter Polls put together by Jake Klein NEFJ Correspondent 1. Brunswick – In a bizarre game, Brunswick topped previously-undefeated Choate 33-21 to claim the overall NEPSAC championship. The Bruins flew under the radar all season, in part thanks to their league and in part thanks to a lack of high-powered offense. But their defense was tremendous all season, and Elijah Cromartie and company put enough points on…

High School: Prep School Poll

November 14, 2022

0 comment

Image courtesy of Carlin Stiehl Poll put together by Jake Klein, NEFJ Correspondent 1. Choate Rosemary Hall – Next Up: Silipo Bowl, No. 2 Brunswick, Sat., 1 p.m. 2. Brunswick – Next Up: Silipo Bowl, at No. 1 Choate, Sat., 1 p.m. 3. Loomis Chaffee – Next Up: Conroy Bowl, at No. 4 Williston, Sat., 2:30 p.m. 4. Williston – Next Up: Conroy Bowl, No. 3 Loomis, Sat., 2:30 p.m. 5. Exeter – 6….

High School: Prep School Poll

November 7, 2022

0 comment

Image courtesy of Hearst Media Poll put together by Jake Klein NEFJ Correspondent 1. Choate – The Wild Boars romped Trinity-Pawling 41-2 on the road Saturday, finishing an undefeated conference slate and locking up the Founders League. Even if they lose in next week’s rivalry matchup against Deerfield (3-5), they’ll play for the New England title in two weeks. Next Up: No. 21 Deerfield, Sat., Noon 2. Brunswick – The Bruins…

High School: Prep School Poll

November 1, 2022

0 comment

Image courtesy of Cheshire Academy Athletics Poll put together by Jake Klein, NEFJ Correspondent 1. Choate Rosemary Hall – Choate won a crazy game Saturday against Loomis on the back of Pearson Hill’s three-touchdown performance, staking its claim as NEPSAC’s best team and clearing its path to the top bowl game. Barring full-blown emergency losses to Trinity-Pawling and Deerfield, LJ Spinnato’s team will play for the New England title on November 19. Next Up: at…

1 2