Still a Blue Devil: Leominster's Noah Gray Signs With Duke

Leominster's Noah Gray surrounded by family, coaches and educators.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

At a ceremony in the Leominster High School library, Noah Gray celebrated making his long-standing commitment to Duke University official. The Gray family sent in Noah's National Letter of Intent earlier Wednesday morning, but the emotions were still flowing when Noah addressed the Leominster community around noon.

"My parents have been an inspiration to me, I look up to them every single day," Gray said, while choking up a bit. "I'm grateful for them, and my brother and my sister, they've been a blessing to me. I've just been blessed with amazing people around me."

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Shrewsbury Tops Leominster for Playoff Spot

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

SHREWSBURY, Mass. - Shrewsbury punched its ticket to the state tournament Friday night, with a dramatic home victory against Leominster.

This one came down to the final play, so continue below for a complete video recap of all the action.

Leominster Tops Doherty in a Battle of Big Plays

 By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

The Leominster Blue Devils bested the Doherty Highlanders 28-20 Friday night in an exciting battle that featured its fair share of big plays. Although Leominster never relinquished the lead, it was a hard fought, back-and-forth struggle that took place inside Worcester's Foley Stadium.

Of the seven touchdowns scored in the game, three of them were from 45 or more yards out.

Tajon Vasser of Doherty had a 76-yard kick return for a touchdown in the first quarter. Then, in the third quarter, Highlander Quarterback Chris Schoen connected with teammate J.J. Early, who turned on the jets for a 50-yard score.

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.

Central Mass High School Football Road Trip: Leominster

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

This is the second in our series of camp previews around CMass high school football. For our preview of Shepherd Hill, click here.

Expectations are always high for the football team in Leominster, and this year is no different, with the Blue Devils returning stars at each level of their defense, and Duke commit quarterback Noah Gray on offense.

This team, however, will be looking to change Leominster's hard luck in big games the past few years.

Since coach Dave Palazzi led the Blue Devils to back-to-back Division 1 Central Super Bowl wins over rival St. John's in his first two seasons at the helm, fortune has not been on the Blue Devils' side in the postseason.

In 2013, the first year of the MIAA's new state-wide playoff format, Leominster came into the D2 Central title game widely considered to be one of the best teams in the state. Boasting a 9-0 record, nobody had even played within single-digits of Leominster. But, the Blue Devils fell victim to St. John's quarterback Andrew Smiley's finest high school game, falling 51-42 as Smiley rushed for nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns, and passed for 250 yards and another three scores.

The following year, Leominster fell victim to Fitchburg's magical run to a D2 Central title, falling 7-0 in one of Central MA's most emotional games in recent memory. Then, last season, the Blue Devils lost a 35-30 thriller to St. John's in the district semifinals.

This year the MIAA has realigned football once again, and Leominster finds itself among familiar foes in Division 2 Central. Hard luck aside, the Blue Devils have the talent, and experience, to make it to Gillette Stadium for the D2 state championship game this year.

Here's what you need to know about Leominster.

From Leominster to Duke: Noah Gray Remains a Blue Devil

Leominster quarterback Noah Gray and coach Dave Palazzi talk strategy against Nashoba last season.

By Jason Siegel

Leominster starting quarterback Noah Gray will be taking his talents to Durham, North Carolina and Duke University in the fall of 2017.

The rising high school senior chose the Blue Devils over offers from Temple, Toledo, University of Delaware, University of New Hampshire, and Appalachian State.