NEEDHAM The 2025 high school football season is just three weeks away, which is difficult to believe.
The state became the first to organize an event of this kind this week when it launched its first Massachusetts High School Football Media Day.
The concept was straightforward but intimidating all at same. Bring the community’s best teams together in one place so that coaches and players may share their predictions for the upcoming season. How many would be present? Who would go? All of these questions needed to be addressed.
Alex Agrella of the Recruiting Board laid the foundation for the showcase back in the spring. When 16 programs, all anticipating what this fall holds, came to Needham High School, he was overjoyed.
“I think it’s a beautiful thing to see this now,” Agrella remarked. I kind of only came up with this idea in early May. What are your thoughts? I asked my dear friend Gage Nutter. I spoke with a few people to gauge their interest, and I believe it was crucial for me to mention this in particular. I went to college in the South, and we had it there, as well as in Georgia, the Carolinas, Maryland, and other states. I used to reside in Alabama. So why not us? I asked.
One of the best teams in Division 1 for many years has been St. John’s Prep. Although the Eagles lost several of their major players from the previous campaign, sophomore Christopher Vargas returns with great excitement. The quarterback is ranked as the best player at his position in Massachusetts and was recently named a five-star prospect by 247Sports.
Ohio State, Penn State, Boston College, Illinois, and Syracuse are among the universities that have already extended offers to Vargas.
Vargas was excited to start the year as the Eagles arrived on Needham’s campus in a big group.
Vargas stated, “I must first and foremost thank my lord and savior, Jesus Christ.” I wouldn’t be here without him. It merely serves as a representation of the amount of effort I have put into this.
Vargas’s goal of getting St. John’s Prep back to Gillette will be a difficult one. But for the Eagles, the standards are still the same.
Brian St. Pierre, coach of St. John’s Prep, stated, “We’re starting at ground zero, like we do every season.” The fact that we are replacing eighteen starters is one of the major things that strikes me. That’s a significant amount. We are typically nine or ten years old. We will therefore need to have some men step up. However, men in our program have a history of doing that. We will likely require a bit extra this year.
After an incredible career, legendary coach EJ Perry announced his retirement this summer, ushering in a new era for Andover. In his most recent endeavor, veteran defensive coordinator Jay Fielding hopes to guide the Golden Warriors back to the top after 13 years at Central Catholic.
Fielding remarked, “It’s really big shoes to fill with EJ.” He performed admirably there. Andover football is connected with the Perry name. However, the children have been putting in a lot of effort and have embraced the strength and fitness regimen I started in March. We can’t wait for the season.
A handful of the best schools from the South side of town, including Scituate, the defending Div. 4 Super Bowl champion, traveled to Memorial Field in addition to the heavyweights from the North Shore. Jonny Donovan, a senior quarterback who committed to Pomona-Pitzer just days ago, will be relied upon by the Sailors.
“I’m ecstatic,” Donovan added. I’ve been in communication with the staff since my visit last week. They have a terrific culture there, and the guys are great. Claremont, California, is a lovely place. It has lovely facilities and has all the features I want in a program. both top-tier academics and sports.
After leading the Blue Devils to a Div. 1 quarterfinals berth in 2024, Leominster standout and Coastal Carolina recruit Osiris Lopez is hoping to end his career on a high note, much like Donovan did.
“I’ve spent a lot of time preparing for this season,” Lopez stated. I’ve been watching the tape of every game we’ve played several times since the conclusion of the previous season. Find out what I can do better and what the team can do better. Never in my life have I been more eager for a new season.
When it comes to Massachusetts football, Northbridge coach Ken LaChapelle has seen it all. He has 401 career victories in his résumé. But the media day event on Wednesday was a first for him. He believes that an amazing tradition is just getting started.
LaChapelle stated, “I think it’s pretty exciting.” It’s something that gets bigger, in my opinion. Those arriving from Central Mass were the subject of our conversation. Perhaps Central Massachusetts will have its own media day at some point, if you get what I mean. These things, in my opinion, are ideal for promoting high school football games. That’s what we all want to do, I believe.
