MassVarsity

This is our final, 2018 All-NEPSAC teams for players who competed on non-post-graduate programs in Massachusetts. It was a great year for prep football in New England, and these players are only a further testament to that. These selections were very difficult, and we do not in any way want a player being left off these lists as being misconstrued as "disrespect." We respect every player that straps on the pads to play this sport. Without further ado, our selections. FIRST TEAM OFFENSE QB Billy Seidl, Sr., St. Sebastian's RB Quin Stott, Sr., Governor's Academy RB Tyrell Wiggins, Sr., Dexter WR Alex Cherry, Sr., St. Sebastian's WR Greg Desrosiers, Jr., Belmont Hill TE Cam Large, Jr., Nobles OL Zak Zinter, Jr., BB&N OL Sam Folse, Sr., Nobles OL Andrew Nee, Jr., BB&N OL Nate Roach, So., BB&N OL Jos Cremers, Sr., Governor's Academy DEFENSE DL Tommy Maloney, Sr., BB&N DL Stephen Brooks, Jr., Dexter DL Kevin Le...

It was another terrific season for Massachusetts high school football, and these players and more are all a testament to that. Like our preseason all-state teams, the choices for these spots were difficult, and there were definitely players who did not make the cut who could make a strong case. As we said in August, please do not take any of these omissions as disrespect. We respect every player that straps on the pads to play this sport. Without further ado, our all-state teams and players of the year. Player of the Year Mike Sainristil, Sr., Everett Offensive Player of the Year Aidan Sullivan, Sr., Scituate Defensive Player of the Year Michael Masse, Sr., Xaverian Lineman of the Year Ryan Clemente, Sr., North Attleboro FIRST TEAM OFFENSE QB Aidan Sullivan, Sr., Scituate RB Niko Murray, Sr., Oxford RB Isaac Seide, Sr., Everett WR Mike Sainristil, Sr., Everett WR Wes Rockett, Sr., St. John's Prep TE Matt Smith, Sr., Needham OL ...

By Zander Manning When Jarell Addo was in seventh grade, his brother Shaun was in high school and in the middle of basketball season. On one cold day in December, Shaun had a game against a team in Worcester and texted his mother, Ann Ashley, that he needed her to bring him his jersey so that he would have it in time for the contest. Ashley told him she would bring it, not to worry. At 1 p.m., while working at Walmart on Jungle Road in Leominster, Ashley got a phone call. She thought nothing of it, thinking it was just the basketball coach calling to remind her to bring Shaun’s jersey. “Ms. Ashley, there‘s been an emergency at your house,” the voice on the other side said. “What happened?” Ashley asked. “I’m afraid your home has caught fire, we suggest you leave work immediately,” the voice said. Ashley wasted no time leaving work. She ran out the door, got in her car, and raced to her home on Hamilton St in Leominster, only to find that the building had burned to the ...

By Zander Manning On Monday night, UMass announced it will hire Florida State offensive coordinator Walt Bell as its next coach. The news comes 12 days after it was announced the university would be parting ways with former head coach Mark Whipple. The news of Bell’s hiring was first reported by Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports. Bell, 34, will be one of the youngest coaches in college football and is expected to take a pay cut.  According to a report by Yahoo Sports, Bell will make $625,000 annually over a five-year span. This includes a $25,000 retention bonus. Bell was making $700,000 with the Seminoles. An introductory press conference will be held on Wednesday at 2 p.m. according to a press release by UMass Athletics. Twitter: @zander_manning_

By Zander Manning AMHERST — According to multiple reports, UMass is looking to part ways with head coach Mark Whipple. The news was first reported by Bruce Feldman, a college football writer for The Athletic.  The move comes after a sixth consecutive losing season for the Minutemen (4-8), and fifth in a row with Whipple as head coach. Whipple was given an extension before the 2018 season, but UMass will be forced to buy out his contract. Whipple held a 16-44 record since returning to the Minutemen after spending five years in the NFL. In 1998, he led the Minutemen to a 12-3 record and the Division 1-aa (now Football Championship Subdivision) title. As head coach, Whipple holds a 137-103 record overall and 65-70 record with the Minutemen. Twitter: @zander_manning_

One of the most recent offers made by Boston College was to BC High Class of 2020 offensive tackle/defensive end Ozzy Trapilo. On Tuesday, we reached out to BC High coach Jonathan Brillo to get his thoughts on Trapilo and his development as a player. MassVarsity: I know the name Trapilo pretty well. What is Ozzy's relation to the lineman who also played at BC High and BC? Jonathan Brillo: His father was Steve Trapilo. If you watch the Doug Flutie Hail Mary, he's the offensive lineman that catches Doug Flutie at the Orange Bowl. When I was at BC High, I want to say, I think it was either 1997 or '98. I think it was '97 when Steve came back to help coaching. He basically donated our entire new weight room at the time, all new equipment and everything. So the weight room is named after him, as well. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2004. But he was an excellent, excellent guy. MV: Is Ozzy a first-year starter? JB: He's a first-year full-time. He was with th...

In a game that made perhaps the biggest news of the past weekend, Central Catholic went to Everett and shocked the top-ranked Crimson Tide, 23-20, to advance to the Division 1 North final. The Raiders will face St. John's Prep, a team that already owns a win over Central this season, 31-12, in the second week of the regular season. Regardless of what happens in Danvers when those teams meet this week, what Central was able to accomplish in Everett remains a major accomplishment for a team that was not expected to do all that much this season. We reached out to Central coach Chuck Adamopoulos this week to get his thoughts on his young team, the Everett game, and what lies ahead. Here is an edited version of that conversation. MassVarsity: Obviously, a big one Friday night. One of the things we talked about early in the year, juniors all over the offensive line, junior at quarterback, juniors everywhere, really. Did you expect that they'd be able to step into a place li...