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Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
On Day 1, stepping into the football preseason with pep, purpose, and productivity
The new high school was completed last summer, but the field wasn't ready, so Stoneham played home games at Woburn High and still managed a 9-2 season. Now the Spartans are looking forward to their home opener Sept. 12 against Arlington. 'It's kind of been hectic, but we always find a way to work around it and build off it,' said senior quarterback Sean Powers. 'To have this beautiful field and facility, it's really what we've been waiting for, so we're pumped to be out here.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up "A lot of earth was moved," said Stoneham coach Bob Almeida, with a nod to the work needed for the Spartans to finally practice on their new turf. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff Advertisement Approximately 50 players took the field Friday to work on the basics of blocking, tackling, and executing the program's double-wing offense. The Spartans will lean on their offensive line with four returners, led by seniors Connor Gangi and Thomas Wood. Senior linebacker Peter Boccelli is expected to step up as the lead tailback. 'It was quite an undertaking. A lot of earth was moved,' said Stoneham coach Bob Almeida. 'I feel like we've made it through the hard times and now we get to enjoy an incredible facility and hopefully take the next chapter in our successful program.' Advertisement It was a gorgeous morning to kick off the high school football season at Mansfield High. Brendan Kurie Passing through Mansfield : Over at Mansfield High, coach Mike Redding yelled out play calls to senior quarterback Tommy Vallett, who stood tall, looking every inch of his 6-foot-3 frame, whipping the ball around to his receivers, including 6-4 senior Andrew DeGirolamo, who finished third in Division 3 last year with nine touchdown catches. 'You have to get wider!' Redding bellowed at one of his receivers. 'Run it again!' The passing attack will look to lead the Hornets back to the Super Bowl, after falling to North Attleborough in the Division 3 championship last year. Returning — Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie) Friday's practice featured a roster 65-players strong – about 100 including the freshman team – with advanced playbook installation, a summer of 6 a.m. weight room sessions, and more speed than last year's squad. 'We're as strong as a year ago,' Redding said. 'But faster and a little more athletic.' Mansfield will benefit from playing very few two-way guys, but is replacing the bulk of both the offensive and defensive lines, plus two of its top four linebackers. The Hornets will need seniors Donovan Matton and Mason Bordieri to fill the backfield hole left by Globe All-Scholastic Sean McCoy's graduation after running for 1,054 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns a year ago. Brockton junior quarterback Marcio Semedo works on his drop-backs with QB coach Derek Barros. Brendan Kurie Brockton starts in tune : Ten miles to the east is a very different practice, but a team with a similar structure. About 70 players were broken into seven position groups at Brockton High, where portable speakers blasted Lil Baby and second-year coach and alumnus Jailson Silva worked on handoffs with his running backs. Silva's Boxers were trending up last season, shaking off an 0-3 start to finish 5-6 and return to the playoffs after a 3-8 record in Jermaine Wiggins's lone season at the helm. Related : Advertisement The Boxers also feature a returning quarterback, junior Marcio Semedo, a 6-foot junior who threw for more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns last year, and his favorite target, senior Jarred Mighty, the state champion in the 400-meter hurdles who piled up more than 1,000 all-purpose yards last year. Brockton returns one starter on the offensive line and two on the defensive side, but Silva is confident knowing many of their replacements got playing time last year. Running back Luke Turco graduated, and the Boxers will turn to the junior trio of Cijai Taylor, Lourdany Bleus, and Cardinal Spellman transfer Chris Soto to replace him. Senior Casey Rhodes (CB/RB/WR) will be a weapon all over the field. 'We're excited,' Silva said. 'We're a little more well-fueled this year.' Bridgewater-Raynham junior running back/linebacker Breydan Lewis attacks the pads under the direction of assistant coach Lamont Penn. Brendan Kurie Building at Bridgewater-Raynham: Coach Eian Bain is in his second year after almost a decade leading Franklin, and the vibes were positive as a Kanye West jam rattled over the speaker at midfield. As part of the re-formed Southeast Conference, which now includes Barnstable, the Trojans are looking to improve on a 6-5 season and their first home playoff win since 2017. 'We're just continuing to build,' Bain said. 'We want to continue that momentum.' They're further along on their install than at this point last season, despite having a small senior class of just 11. Among them are returning starting quarterback Jack Lambert and wide receiver Dylan Reed. B-R did lose star defensive end CJ Lopes, who reclassified to 2027 and transferred to Lawrence Academy. They also graduated running backs Caleb Tripp and Owen King, and will replace them with juniors Breydan Lewis, who started at linebacker as a sophomore, and Adrian Peebles, who moved from Middleborough. Advertisement Bridgewater-Raynham returns Jack Lambert (12) at quarterback. Brendan Kurie Preparation at St. John's Prep : Offensive players better have been studying the St. John's Prep playbook during the offseason. Coach Brian St. Pierre ran his quarterbacks, linemen, and skill position players through a series of drills while the defense worked on the other side of the field. First came a run through some key concepts of Prep's pro style offense, then a 'pop quiz' of sorts with St. Pierre calling out a play to be run by the first, second, and third team units before sprinting towards midfield. Running a Pro Style Offense takes a little extra preparation at this level — Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) Once the team broke into smaller skill groups, coaches worked with players on understanding their responsibilities after the snap in various situations. 'As a coach you're always waiting for this day,' St. Pierre said. 'There's a lot of unknowns, especially for us this year, but also a lot of excitement. It's great getting back into the groove.' Cerullo in charge at North Andover : The energy was palpable at North Andover in Matt Cerullo's first session as head coach. The former Lawrence standout and longtime defensive assistant helped North Andover win the D2 Super Bowl in 2018 with Gabe DeSouza starring in a multi-phase role. After playing at Curry, DeSouza is back coaching the wide receivers and kickers, running them through a variety of drills Friday evening before directing traffic in passing scenarios, and celebrating with his receivers after they won a jump ball in the end zone. Stopping by North Andover for the first practice under new coach Matt Cerullo. Former Scarlet Knights great Gabe DeSouza is working the DBs thru drills — Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) '[DeSouza has] been phenomenal,' Cerullo said. 'His energy is great. The kids love him. I don't think he missed a day all summer. I can't say enough good things about him.' Advertisement Junior quarterback Austin Allen should have good targets this season in junior Marcus Peralta and senior Daniel Thompson. Nothing is given in the ultra-tough Merrimack Valley Conference, which is why Cerullo handed out team shirts with the slogan 'Choose Hard' to set the tone for summer workouts. 'We don't have the five-star [recruits],' said Cerullo, who trains defensive backs at Pact Performance. 'Our edge needs to be in our details and our work ethic.' At Xaverian, success in numbers : Xaverian quarterback Will Wood rolled right and fired a strike to his receiver during the first practice of the year, a quick bounce-back after a shaky rep that prompted assistant coach Ed Currie to joke, 'Really, this is the first team?' Over 100 players practiced for the first time on Xavierian's lower field, including star outside linebacker Dominic Funke, expected to play both inside and in coverage. 'The young guys look and see what has to be done to be successful, like those ahead of them,' said coach Al Fornaro of the two-time defending Division 1 champions. Foxborough still has the fire : Intensity and joy — two words that don't often go hand-in-hand, unless you're a Warriors football player. 'They've been like that since fifth grade, a very tight-knit group, they work their tails off,' said 44-year coach Jack Martinelli. Shoulder bumps and shouts of encouragement marked Foxborough's first practice of the preseason, with more than 100 players on the field. After falling short in the Division 5 championship game last year, Foxborough returns with a new look but the same fire. Advertisement Captain Cam Deleskey, an all-Hockomock receiver/cornerback, will shift to quarterback, and three-year linebacker Ryan Foley will start at running back, taking over for the graduated Mike Marcucella and Ben Angelini, respectively. Brendan Kurie of the Globe staff reported from Mansfield, Bridgewater-Raynham, and Brockton, and correspondent Toby Moses from Xaverian and Foxborough. Nate Weitzer also reported from St. John's Prep and North Andover. Nate Weitzer can be reached at
Boston Globe
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Olivia Araujo crushed her first varsity homer, blasting Greater New Bedford softball off to Division 3 final
With the 10th-seeded Bears trailing No. 6 Foxborough by a run in the top of the sixth inning, the sophomore crushed a two-out, two-run homer to left, launching the Bears into their third state final in eight years with a 3-2 Division 3 semifinal win at UMass Dartmouth. 'I love big moments,' said Araujo. 'I love the pressure. There's not a better situation you can be in.' Did she know it was gone off the bat? 'Absolutely not,' she said. How about her coach, Craig Soares? 'Never expected that from Olivia,' he said. 'She's a gamer. She hits the ball. But I wasn't expecting that.' 10th seeded — Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie) Araujo's blast complemented Akiira'ley Vazquez's big day. The freshman homered in the first inning and pitched a complete game, striking out eight while working around seven hits and three walks, including escaping a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth. Advertisement 'I wanted to win it for my team,' Vazquez said. 'They do so much to help me. When I put people on or when someone gets on, I try super hard not to let them score.' What a defensive play from Mid 4th — Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie) Foxborough (15-9) went ahead in the bottom of the fifth when Emma Callahan grounded an RBI single up the middle and Mackenzie Crockford raced home on a wild pitch for a brief, 2-1, lead. In the title game, the Bears (18-8), who won it all in 2018 and 2022, will take on the winner of top-seeded Dighton-Rehoboth (22-2) and No. 5 Nipmuc (21-2), who play Thursday. Advertisement Greater New Bedford's Hayden Gomes (15) takes a rip against Foxborough. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe Greater New Bedford's Emma Machado (5) celebrates after reaching second against Foxborough. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe The Greater New Bedford softball players were in a celebratory mood after edging Foxborough, 3-2, in the Division 3 semifinals. BRENDAN KURIE Brendan Kurie can be reached at
Boston Globe
16-03-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Nolan Dawson delivers Billerica double-OT triumph in Division 2 boys' hockey final
Billerica's Daniel Viscione skates down and centers it to Nolan Dawson, who buries the one-timer at the 3:22 mark of the second overtime to give Billerica the Division 2 bots hockey championship! First for the Indians since 1977. — Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie) Initially, Billerica coach Jim Egan said he was preparing his team for another 4-on-4 period before the second extra session. Still, it was a pleasant surprise when he learned it would be 3-on-3, believing it played more to his team's strengths. 'We like a little more space on the ice,' Egan said. 'When the 2-on-1 formed, I said, 'There go our two best players, so it could be it.' And it was.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Billerica team captians (from left) Nolan Dawson, Owen Fitzmaurice, James Columbus, and Tim Murphy celebrate with the Division 2 state championship trophy Sunday at TD Garden. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Advertisement Twice, the top-seeded Indians (23-1-1) trailed the third-seeded Bulldogs (23-2-1), a program which had advanced to the Division 2 final five times since 2019 (wins in '19 and '23, co-champs in '20). Senior Travis Thomas opened scoring for Canton on the power play at 12:22 of the first period, which Billerica countered at 3:17 of the second period on a power play of its own. Daniel Viscione knots it at 1-1 for Billerica just 7 seconds into a power play at the 11:43 mark of the 2nd period. — Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie) The 1-all score held until there were less than 3 minutes to play in regulation, at which point sophomore Ryan Elrick put home an offering from Thomas set up behind the net. What a pass from Travis Thomas to Ryan Elrick who puts Canton up 2-1 with 2:56 left in the game. — Brendan Kurie (@BrendanKurie) Again, Viscione responded, this time a mere 28 seconds later with his 40th and final goal of the season. 2:28 left: Billerica 2, Canton 2 Danny Viscione's second of the game knots it, 28 seconds after Ryan Elrick put Canton ahead. What a game! — Cam Kerry (@camkerry7) 'We've had so much support throughout the whole week getting ready for this game, and we saw it in the crowd,' Viscione said. 'We're so happy to get it done for them.' The loss for Canton was its first since its season opener, a 5-2 setback vs. Barnstable on Dec. 14; the Bulldogs' lone tie came in their fourth game, 2-2 vs. Milton, before running off 21 straight wins. Canton's Travis Thomas (22) celebrates his goal with teammate Joey Ryan (20) and their fans Sunday at TD Garden. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff 'We had some chances, we just couldn't land it,' Canton coach Brian Shuman said. 'If you give their top guns enough chances, they're going to bury one eventually.' Advertisement Senior Steve MacIntosh made 41 saves in the win for Billerica, receiving the game puck from the team. Senior Connor Geoghan made 27 stops for Canton. Billerica goalie Stephen MacIntosh makes one of his 41 saves in Sunday's double-overtime victory over Canton to win the Division 2 state title. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Billerica 3, Canton 2 (2 OTs) at TD Garden, Boston Canton (23-2-1) 1 0 1 0 0 — 2 Billerica (23-1-1) 0 1 1 0 1 — 3 1, C, Travis Thomas (Joey Ryan, Ryan Elrick) 12:22 (pp). 2, B, Danny Viscione (Nolan Dawson) 3:17 (pp). 3, C, Ryan Elrick (Travis Thomas, Joey Ryan) 13:04. 4, B, Danny Viscione (Nolan Dawson) 13:32. 5, B, Nolan Dawson (Danny Viscione) 3:22. Saves: C, Connor Geoghan, 27; B, Steve MacIntosh, 41. It's the golden moment, as Billerica's Nolan Dawson (9) fires the game-winning goal just under the glove of Canton goalie Connor Geoghan (30). Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff As Billerica's High's Nolan Dawson (top) celebrates his game-winner, Canton's Will Young (28) collapses on the TD Garden ice. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Canton netminder Connor Geoghan sprawls out to deny Billerica's Tim Murphy (2) in the third period of Sunday's Division 2 state final. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Boston Globe
13-02-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Your complete guide to the MIAA winter playoffs
Swimming and diving Girls' South Sectional: Boys' South Sectional: Girls' North Sectional: Advertisement Boys' North Sectional: Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Girls' state championship Saturday, Feb. 15 at Boston University Division 2 at 1:20 p.m. Division 1 at 6:30 p.m. Boys' state championship Sunday, Feb. 16 at Boston University Division 2 at 1:20 p.m. Division 1 at 6:30 p.m. Skiing Nordic championship: Alpine championship: Tuesday, Feb. 25 at Berkshire East, Charlemont Indoor track and field All meets held at 4:30 p.m. at Reggie Lewis Center Division 1: Wednesday, Feb. 12 Division 2: Thursday, Feb. 13 Division 3: Friday, Feb. 14 Division 4: Saturday, Feb. 15 Division 5: Sunday, Feb. 16. All-State: Saturday, Feb. 22 New Englands: Saturday, March 2 (10:30 a.m.) Wrestling Sectionals Saturday, Feb. 15 Division 1 North: St. John's Prep Division 1 South: Xaverian Division 1 Central/Metro: Malden Division 1 West/Central: Franklin Division 2 North: Woburn Division 2 South: Stoughton Division 2 Central: Bellingham Division 2 West: Algonquin Division 3 North: Gloucester Division 3 South: Cohasset Division 3 South: Wayland Division 3 West: Mount Greylock State championships Friday-Saturday Feb. 21-22 Division 1: North Andover Division 2: Salem Division 3: Foxborough All-State championship Friday-Saturday, Feb. 28-29 Advertisement At Methuen High New Englands Friday, March 7 at Providence Technical and Career Academy Gymnastics Sectionals Saturday Feb. 22 North: Algonquin, 10 a.m. South: Algonquin, 3 p.m. All-State championship Saturday, March 1 At Algonquin, 2 p.m. Ice hockey Regular season ends: Thursday, Feb. 20 Bracket release: Saturday, Feb. 22 Tournament begins: Monday, Feb. 24 (games are allowed on Sunday, Feb. 23) State finals: March 16 Basketball Regular season ends: Thursday, Feb. 20 Bracket release: Saturday, Feb. 22 Tournament begins: Monday, Feb. 24 (games are allowed on Sunday, Feb. 23) State finals: March 14-16 Brendan Kurie can be reached at
