VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Shrewsbury edges Doherty in D3 Central Semis

Video by Matt Siegel (@SportVideoMA)

Worcester, Mass. - Saturday night's Division 3 Central semifinal between Shrewsbury and Doherty was not for the faint of heart, but in the end it was the visiting Colonials outlasting Doherty 35-34 at Worcester's Foley Stadium.

Shrewsbury advances to face cross-town rival St. John's (Shrewsbury) in the D3 Central finals next week, with a trip to the state semifinals on the line. But, for now, enjoy our Matt Siegel's video highlights of the Colonials and the Highlanders, available below.

Doherty Edges Wachusett on Opening Night

By John McGuirk (@patsfan13)

Holden, Mass. - While many came into opening night enamored with Doherty's potential offensive ceiling, it was the Highlanders' defense which took center stage during Friday night's season-opener against Wachusett Regional.

In a battle between two of the more dominant teams in Central Mass, Doherty managed to pick off Mountaineer quarterback Melke Shabo three times, and also recovered a pair of Shabo fumbles en route to a 14-7 victory at Hal Lane Field.

St. John's (Shrewsbury) Edges Doherty in D3 Central Semifinal

By John McGuirk (@patsfan1313)

Worcester, Mass. - The opportunities were there for Doherty. For an inner-city school destined to prove it belongs in the conversation when talking about the elite programs in Central Mass, the Highlanders were hanging in with the elite of the elite during the first 22 minutes.

But St. John's (Shrewsbury), a team blessed with tremendous depth and talent, took its game to the next level over the course of the second half, able to finally break free for a 32-21 victory in the Division 3 Central semifinal played Friday night at Assumption College.

Doherty Rallies Late Against Rival St. Peter-Marian

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

WORCESTER - In a game that looked all too pedestrian for three-plus quarters, things suddenly took a wild turn in the latter stages.

Once St. Peter-Marian's Matt Dumphy hit the ground running following his 57-yard punt return for a touchdown with 8:18 remaining, putting the Guardians ahead by eight points, things were looking good for the home team.

But an ill wind suddenly blew across the SPM sideline soon thereafter, as two Guardian miscues would lead to pair of Doherty touchdowns, resulting in an improbable 26-22 victory for the Highlanders on a chilly, overcast Saturday afternoon. 

MIAA Football Camp Road Trip: The Doherty Highlanders

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

WORCESTER - After its young core was baptized by fire in 2016, Doherty has big ambitions for 2017.

But it won't be easy, as the Highlanders were major jumpers in this season's realigned divisions, moving up to Division 3 Central, the largest classification teams in Central Mass can compete in.

Still, with a junior and senior-laden squad, plus some big games under its belt, Doherty will look to surprise some of the CMass blue bloods.

Wachusett Softball Earns First Sectional Title

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

WORCESTER, Mass. - After the final out was recorded, Wachusett Regional jumped, danced and hollered all over the diamond inside Rockwood Field. This celebration serving as a true culmination in which disappointment had finally given way to newfound glory.

The top-seeded Mountaineers claimed their first Division 1 Central Mass. district title by out-lasting No. 2 Doherty 3-1 Saturday evening. This long-awaited victory erased a plethora of bad memories of season's gone bye in which Wachusett, a team always stockpiled with plenty of talent, could never quite get over the hump within its own bracket.

Wachusett Softball Edges Doherty in Battle of CMass Unbeatens

Wachusett pitcher Liv Strasser prepares to deliver against Doherty Thursday.

By John McGuirk (@patsfan1313)

HOLDEN - Over the course of the first three innings, Wachusett Regional managed to strand five runners on base without producing a single run. Such a circumstance made you wonder if this was a prelude to the type of day the Mountaineers would endure against mighty Doherty.

In a battle between two of the state's heavyweight programs, and top-tier pitchers, Wachusett finally came up with an answer in its half of the fourth inning. The Mountaineers plated three runs during the frame and were able to fend off the Highlanders the rest of the way en route to a 3-1 triumph Thursday afternoon.

Central Mass Football Week 1 Wrap: Action On and Off the Field

Doherty junior Mike Oppong is facing a one-game suspension after kneeling during the national anthem on Friday night.
UPDATE: The suspension has been overturned.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Ed. Note- Doherty's Mike Oppong has announced on Twitter that he is no longer suspended. We have left the full, original text of our blog post below.

I don't think I can remember a more eventful opening week, on and off the field, for Central Mass high school football.

Not only did we get thrilling shootouts, upsets and statement wins, the region also saw controversy emerge at a pair of schools over issues bigger than football.

Let's take a look back at the weekend that was.

Algonquin, Shrewsbury and Wachusett Shake Up D2 Central

We knew that Leominster, St. John's and Shepherd Hill would contend in D2 Central, but how deep would the division be?

Turns out, pretty darn deep.

With Algonquin gutting out a win over reigning Division 2 state champion Nashoba, Shrewsbury edging Shepherd Hill and Wachusett blowing out a good Tantasqua team, there isn't an easy win to be found in Central MA's largest division.

SuiteSports Game of the Week: Leominster at Doherty

Leominster quarterback Noah Gray and coach Dave Palazzi open their season against a young Doherty squad.

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

Welcome back to the high school football season, everyone! It’s time for some fun under the Friday night lights. To start our season here at SuiteSports, we have our first Game of the Week. Leominster makes the trip to Worcester Friday night at 7 pm for what could end up being a fairly defense-heavy game.

The game will be played at Foley Stadium, and here's what you can expect from the Highlanders and Blue Devils.

Two Different Worlds

Despite both Leominster and Doherty seeing success over the last few seasons, capped by disappointing playoff losses last year, their current situations are quite different. Leominster enters Friday’s game with a plethora of returning players, many of whom are seniors. The Blue Devils, of course, have a stellar quarterback in Noah Grey. Although losing some major play makers at wide receiver, the backfield is still loaded behind a real tough offensive line.

Your 2015 Central Mass HS Football Playoff Preview

Leominster QB Noah Gray (19) and Nashoba OL/DL Mike Curtin will be two players to watch in the Division 2 playoffs.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

We've already given you our final Central Mass Power Rankings of the regular season, so today we'll take a look at all four playoff divisions in Central Mass.

With 16 CMass teams still alive in the hunt for a state championship, here's what to watch for these next few weeks.

Central Mass HS Football Power Rankings: Week 9

Koby Schofer and Northbridge wrapped up a regular season for the ages, and head into the playoffs as the D5 Central favorite.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

The regular season is over, so we bring you our final Central Mass Power Rankings until after the state championships. Be on the lookout for our playoff preview in the next couple days, but for now check out where the best teams in CMass stand at the end of regular season play.

Central Mass HS Football Power Rankings: Week 8

Leominster quarterback Noah Gray and coach Dave Palazzi will lead the Blue Devils against rival St. John's (Shrewsbury) Friday.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

There's only one week left in the regular season here in the Heart of the Commonwealth, and much is still to be decided. With playoff spots up for grabs in Divisions 2, 4, 5 and 6, this final week could bring some drama.

Check out our Week 8 Power Rankings below, followed by games to watch this week for teams on the playoff bubble.

Central Mass HS Football Power Rankings: Week 6

St. John's senior quarterback Tim Cassidy has been a threat with his arm and his legs this year.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

We're entering the home stretch of the regular season, as contenders are emerging, and some teams are beginning to fall by the wayside. With huge matchups looming, check out our latest Power Rankings below.

Central Mass HS Football Power Rankings: Week 5

Senior quarterback Robby Atwood and the Nashoba Chieftains have re-asserted themselves as one of Central MA's top teams.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Another week, and another slate of fantastic games in Central Massachusetts. While some teams were winning overtime games against out-of-state foes, others were flexing their muscles against teams within their own leagues and divisions.

Check out our complete Power Rankings below.

Central Mass HS Football Power Rankings: Week 3

Doherty RB/DL Tavian Vassar packs a punch for the Highlanders.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Teams around Central Mass had little time to catch their breath in the season's second week, as league play started across the Mid-Wach and SWCL, including a showdown between regional powers Leominster and Shepherd Hill.

One Mid-Wach squad shot itself way up in our rankings, while another has fallen out completely. See our complete Top-10 below.

Video: Doherty Football Players Discuss Head Injuries

Doherty linebacker Rhakim Williams

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Though it may seem like it, I don't only write about lacrosse.

This week, I have a cover story in Worcester Magazine on concussions, and how they affect the Central Mass football scene. The story features some cutting-edge research taking place at UMass Medical in Worcester, along with stories from Central Mass football alumni now playing in the NFL and college, as well as some of the region's most respected coaches and youth football organizers.

The piece also features some input from Shrewsbury lacrosse coach Nate Skermont because, as many of you know, concussions are not just a football issue.

While working on the story, I stopped by Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester to speak with some current Highlanders about their awareness and attitudes toward concussions. You can check out that video below.

Massachusetts Football Recruit Profile: Jahkari Carpenter

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 our rundown today with Doherty running back Jahkari Carpenter, a human highlight-reel who helped the Highlanders win the 2013 Division 4 state championship, and rushed for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior in 2014.

Jahkari Carpenter

Doherty Memorial High School (Worcester)
Running Back
5'7'', 160 lbs.
College Choice: Doing a Post Grad Year at Bridgton Academy in Maine.
Senior Highlights

Central Mass HS Football Power Rankings: 10/20/14

Worcester North gave Inter-High power Doherty all it could handle Friday, but Highlander quarterback Eric Vecsey's four touchdown passes helped Doherty hold on for another league win.

 By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Wow, what a weekend for CMass football. Friday brought a bevy of big games and close calls, as Littleton barely continued its region-long winning streak of 19 games against up-and-coming Maynard, while Doherty continued its Inter-High dominance by out-dueling North. The Highlanders edged the Polar Bears thanks to the electric combination of quarterback Eric Vecsey, who threw for four touchdowns, and wide receiver Matt Lyons, who caught three of them.

There were also a pair of big upsets as hungry Wachusett knocked off regional power St. John's (Shrewsbury) Saturday. That wasn't the first upset of the weekend, however, as Holy Name got back on track with a huge win over Division 5 power Auburn Friday night.

How did all of these games affect our Power Rankings? Find out below.

Central Mass HS Football Power Rankings: 9/22/14

It was a big week for Shepherd Hill quarterback Drew Jean-Guillaume, who led the Rams on the ground and received another Division 1 scholarship offer.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

With last week's No. 1 St. John's (Shrewsbury) dropping a tough one to an EMass power, and Northbridge continuing to put up video game numbers, could there be some shakeup in our Top-5?

Find out below.

Central Mass HS Football Preview: Week 3

Doherty running back Jahkari Carpenter will look to carry the Highlanders to a critical win against stingy Holy Name

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

I've already looked back on Week 2 of CMass high school football in my latest Power Rankings, so I'm not going to waste any time on introductions. Let's get right to Friday and Saturday's biggest games.

Game of the Week

Shrewsbury at Nashoba, Friday at 7 pm

If you read my Power Rankings, you know that the final spot in my Top-5 went to Shrewsbury, but that I was essentially splitting hairs between the Colonials and Nashoba, along with Wachusett. Well, here's where we find out which of these teams deserves to crack our Top-5, as well as move up in the T&G's Media Poll.

But this game is about more than outsider opinion. The winner will have the inside track to capturing Mid-Wach A, and be in great positions to earn a Top-2 seed in the Division 2 Central Playoffs.