Springfield Central 42, Central Catholic 20 — Golden Eagles explode on offense

September 15, 2024

By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Correspondent LAWRENCE — Springfield Central’s offense found its groove Saturday in Lawrence as the Golden Eagles racked up over 400 yards to defeat Central Catholic, 42-20. Senior running back Ja’Cyion Cox had himself quite the day rushing and receiving the ball. Cox had over 200 yards from scrimmage to go along with four touchdowns for the Golden Eagles. “The run game was really strong,” said Cox….

Read More >>

Scrimmage observations – Springfield Central vs. Milford

August 30, 2024

MILFORD — In what is becoming a big, annual scrimmage between two of the top teams in the state, Milford hosted Springfield Central Friday night in Milford. Since the two coaching staffs put this game together in 2022, the action has been intense, and the teams generally have a better idea of what they have. On Friday, Central “won” the portion of the game played by the first string, 14-6….

Read More >>

Top Ten Interstate Games of 2024

July 5, 2024

We always love a good, high school, interstate, or out-of-state game here at New England Football Journal. It gives the participants bragging rights, and more-than-usual “My state is better than your state” material. Also, it brings maybe a different style of football than you’re used to. They’re just fun. So, looking forward to the high school season, here are the best out-of-state games to watch for 2024. Top Ten Interstate…

Read More >>

Recruiting Roundup: Springfield Central

April 25, 2024

Every year, Springfield Central is among the top programs in the Northeast for high-end talent. Coach Bill Watson always has speed at his disposal, and there are prospects all over the field for the Golden Eagles. That is the case once again as Central turns to the 2024 season. There is a big, talented class of 2025, and a couple 2027 players who are already making waves. With the crew…

Read More >>

Former Springfield Central standout Joe Griffin enters the transfer portal

April 13, 2024

Image courtesy of Joe Griffin Former Springfield Central standout wide receiver Joe Griffin is entering the transfer portal. Griffin was a four star recruit in the Class of 2022. He committed to Boston College in October of 2020. The 6-3, 213 pound Griffin was a freak athlete in high school and developed into one of the top receiver prospects in his class. He held offers from Boston College, UMass, Notre…

Read More >>

(2) Xaverian 21, (7) Springfield Central 20 — Defense sends Hawks to D1 Final Four

November 10, 2023

WESTWOOD — The last three times Xaverian played Springfield Central, each game followed a familiar script. For a little while, Xaverian would hang close with Central, but then the same thing happened. The Golden Eagles hit big play after big play, and either ran away with a dominant win, or held on as Xaverian was forced out of its game plan. Then, finally, on Friday night in a D1 quarterfinal,…

Read More >>

(7) Springfield Central 24, (10) Central Catholic 7 — Golden Eagles pull away for D1 Sweet 16 win

November 3, 2023

By Tony Catalina NEFJ Correspondent SPRINGFIELD — In a playoff matchup featuring two Division 1 powers with a lot of history against one another, the No. 7 Springfield Central Golden Eagles advanced with a 24-7 win over the No. 10 Central Catholic Raiders. The history between these two teams is well documented. With Springfield Central winning the last three matchups, including in Week 1 of this year, Central Catholic had…

Read More >>

Springfield Central 44, Westfield 7 — Golden Eagles pull away

October 13, 2023

By Tony Catalina NEFJ Correspondent SPRINGFIELD — If you heard Springfield Central coach Bill Watson in his postgame huddle, you would’ve thought his team lost to Westfield. Well, it didn’t, and it wasn’t particularly close, either. Central took the lead and never looked back as the Golden Eagles made a statement on Friday night with a 44-7 win. What Watson was upset about was the fact the first half was…

Read More >>

Springfield Central 44, Xaverian 41 — Young guns shine for Golden Eagles

September 22, 2023

WESTWOOD — As Springfield Central players went through Friday night’s postgame handshake line, star Xaverian wide receiver Jonathan Monteiro had a message for his opponents. “We’ll see you again,” Monteiro repeated over and over. Fans and observers of Massachusetts high school football could only be so lucky to see these teams in a rematch. In a wild game that has to be considered one of the year’s best at this…

Read More >>

Q&A with Springfield Central coach Bill Watson

September 10, 2023

On Sunday, Springfield Central beat Central Catholic, 44-26, in a game suspended from Friday night. Freshman quarterback Jareth Staine threw four touchdown passes, and three different running backs — Ja’Cyion Cox, Preston Longo, and Isaiah Rogers — found the end zone. Although we did not get a chance to cover the game, we wanted to reach out to Central coach Bill Watson and get his thoughts. Here is an edited…

Read More >>