Massachusetts 2015 Football National Signing Day Database

Xaverian running back Noah Sorrento (#4) and defensive end Joe Gaziano (#97) will both be continuing their football careers at the next level.  Photo courtesy of Brendan C. Hall and ESPN Boston High Schools.

 By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It's National Signing Day, and that means that all across the country high school players are making their college sports plans final. Here in Massachusetts, there are plenty of high school football players sets to take their games to the next level. Here is our list of those players, by school, along with some quick notes about their potential at the college level.

As always, feel free to Tweet me @HerewegoJoe if I have left somebody out, or feel free to email me at jparello86@gmail.com if you're not a Tweeter.

Massachusetts Football Recruit Profile: Davon Jones

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Throughout January our SuitePreps section will be rolling out profiles for some of the top football recruits in Massachusetts, all leading up to National Signing Day on February 4th. We continue today with explosive athlete Davon Jones, a two-way star for St. John's (Shrewsbury) who used his closing speed and leaping ability to dominate as both a safety and a receiver for the Pioneers.

Davon Jones

St. John's High School (Shrewsbury)
Defensive Back/Wide Receiver
5'10'', 180 lbs.
College Choice: Boston College
Senior Highlights

Central Mass HS Football Preview: Week 2

Auburn and star running back Mark Wright will be looking for payback against Hudson.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

The high school football season in Central Massachusetts began for a handful of squads last week, but things really get going tonight and tomorrow for most of the teams around the region.

While I will be in Brockton tonight for ESPN Boston covering the Boxers' game against St. John's Prep, here are some things to watch out for in the Heart of the Commonwealth.

CMass Football Preview: The 2014 St. John's Pioneers

Though widely known for its offense, look for St. John's to be greatly improved on defense, led by senior middle linebacker Sam Norton (66).

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

St. John's has long been one of, if not the, best high school football programs in Central Mass, but the Pioneers had a monkey they just couldn't get off their back: Rival Leominster.

St. John's came into 2013 having lost four straight to the Blue Devils, including a pair of Division I Central Super Bowls. When Leominster took down the Pioneers 33-22 to start the year, it seemed like another CMass season would belong to their nemesis from the north.

Things got even worse in the coming weeks, as St. John's needed a miracle kickoff return from Michael McGillicuddy to survive Fitchburg, and dropped its second in a row to crosstown rival Shrewsbury. The Pioneers then fell into a 20-7 hole against Marlborough.

But then things began to click.

Postgame Blog: St. John's Stuns Springfield Central

Drew Smiley hauls in a one-handed interception to clinch the game for St. John's.

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

Here is your reminder that this blog is simply a collection of my wandering thoughts. For a complete write up, my buddy Brendan Hall has you covered over at ESPN Boston. If you'd like to see my highlights, those are on ESPN Boston as well, and here's a link for you lazy folks out there.

Now, let's get into what was a HUGE win for the St. John's football program.

CMass HS Football Power Rankings: 9/16/13

Leominster senior Neil O'Connor does it all for the Blue Devils, but is he the top player in CMass?

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

While a few teams across the region got started two weeks ago, high school football really kicked off in Central Mass this past weekend. Leominster defeated St. John's in the region's most anticipated game, and Hudson turned heads across the state, blasting 5-time defending Super Bowl champion Auburn 33-0, ending a 22-game Rocket winning streak.

Doherty and Nashoba held serve, but our preseason power rankings were certainly shaken up by action across Central Mass. Check out our Power Rankings, upcoming Game of the Week, and CMass Player of the Year Watch List below.

CMass HS Football Game of the Week Preview: St. John's at Leominster

St. John's senior QB Andrew Smiley (left) and Leominster senior QB/S Neil O'Connor (right).

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

This week's Central Mass Game of the Week is a bit of a no-brainer, as ESPN Boston has named Leominster's home date with St. John's its game of the week for the entire state.

So, while I'd love to go against the grain and give you all the details on Auburn visiting Hudson, I'm not going to over think this one. I mean, I did rank these two teams No. 1 and 2 in my first CMass Power Rankings, so not picking this game would be silly and a bit of a contradiction.

Anyway, neither of these teams have played a game yet, but each has challenged itself in the preseason, scrimmaging against some of the best teams in Central Mass and beyond. While this game represents a rematch of the last two Central Mass Division 1 Super Bowls, both teams still have questions to answer: Leominster in the trenches and St. John's throughout its defense.

CMass Video Preview: St. John's Football 2013

Preseason All State safety Davon Jones is also a threat with the ball in his hands.

By Joe Parello  @HerewegoJoe

St. John's coach John Andreoli learned a lot about his team during the Pioneers' annual scrimmage with state power Brockton.

While his banged up and inexperienced offensive line struggled early, leading to some poor decisions from ESPN Boston preseason All State quarterback Drew Smiley, he came away pleased with his team's resiliency and versatility on offense. Perhaps more importantly, the coach was happy with the performance of his defense, coming off a 2012 that saw the Pioneers allow nearly 30 points per game.

Check out the video below for a preview of the Pioneers, including an exciting transfer at running back, a potentially stout defensive front, and the all-around game of star junior Davone Jones. For more on St. John's, be sure to read my written preview of the Pioneers for ESPN Boston here.