2017 Massachusetts Football Recruiting Database

It should be a very busy National Signing Day for Dartmouth OL commit Jake Guidone and the rest of his Xaverian teammates.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

SuiteSports is proud to unveil its 2017 Massachusetts Football Recruiting Database, and we aim to cover every player in the Commonwealth who is going on to play college football at every level.

As you might imagine, that's quite a task, which is why our list will be constantly updated, even beyond National Signing Day on Wednesday, to reflect any new commitments brought to our attention, or any changes of heart.

As always, if we missed anybody, got anything wrong, or don't have the most up to date info on a recruit, Tweet me, or shoot me an email to jparello86@gmail.com.

Here we go!

Melifonwu Sticks With Syracuse, Despite Late Michigan Offer

With his mother at his side, Grafton star Ifeatu Melifonwu made it official, signing with Syracuse Wednesday.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Even late interest from one of football's most recognizable coaches, and an offer to play for one of the NCAA's most prestigious programs didn't sway Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu.

The star athlete, who helped lead Grafton to the MIAA Division 3 state championship game at Gillette Stadium in December, officially signed with Syracuse, the school he committed to last summer, during a ceremony in the school library Wednesday.

Melifonwu's destination was one of the state's biggest questions heading into National Signing Day, as Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh personally attended one of Melifonwu's basketball games earlier this month, and the Wolverines formally extended a scholarship offer last Friday, just as Melifonwu was leaving Ann Arbor for a final trip to Syracuse.

RADIO: The Local Sports Lunchbox- CMass Hoops & National Signing Day

Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu has been committed to Syracuse since July, but will some late interest from Michigan change his mind as National Signing Day approaches?

 By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

This week on the show, we welcome Tom Flanagan from the Telegram & Gazette to talk local hoops, and break down where all the best local football players will be signing to play their college ball next week.

Also, we reveal the Local Sports Lunchbox Top 10 for boys basketball, discuss Kevin Mensah, the region's biggest uncommitted football prospect, and wonder aloud where Grafton's Ifeatu Melifonwu (a Syracuse commit) will end up, after some late interest from Michigan. Listen in for all that, and more, below.

Grafton Leaves No Doubt Against West Boylston

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

West Boylston took a trip to Grafton High School Friday night to face off against the out-of-conference Indians. Grafton would take an early lead that it wouldn’t relinquish, cruising to a 37-6 victory.

Familiarity

As big a game as this was for players, the coaches wanted to give a little extra push this week. West Boylston coach Mike Ross coached Grafton for years, winning a Super Bowl in 2012, and he hasn't been forgotten in Grafton.

“Both coaches were fired up this week,” said Grafton star and Syracuse commit Ifeatu Melifonwu, whose brother Obi, now at UConn, played for Ross at Grafton.

“Coaches were really hyping up the game all week,” added defensive end Sean Deely. “It felt good to beat Coach Ross.”

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.

Central Mass High School Football Road Trip: Grafton

Grafton has the talent to raise another trophy in 2016, but the Indians aren't looking that far ahead.

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

Ed. Note- Today we welcome our newest correspondent, Connor Evans. A current student at Bryant University, Connor was a star on Grafton's lacrosse and soccer teams during his high school days. He begins his SuiteSports career by looking at his alma mater, and how the Grafton football team will look to follow up last season's magical run to the Division 4 Central title. The Indians enter 2016 with a star Division 1 commitment, plenty of new faces, and a wide-open field in the newly-aligned Division 3 Central.

The Grafton High School football team has seen some success over the last few years, largely due to a strong sense of team unity and a “we’re-tougher-than-you” attitude that gives it the mettle to outlast most opponents. This mentality, along with a talented senior class, brought the team to the Division 4 state semifinal last year.

But now that senior class is gone, so I stopped by a Grafton practice last week to see what will be different this year.

The answer? Absolutely nothing.