My Dad and Sports

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Ed. Note- This story was originally published in September 20th, 2019, but Joe has republished it so that it appears at the top of the website.


My dad passed away Thursday night.

We all grieve in different ways, and I think did all the usual things, but honestly, after a few hours, I just wanted to zone out and watch a bad football game.

Luckily, the Jags and Titans obliged me, but the game also reminded of all the sports memories I had with my father.

I remembered walking two miles from our parking spot to Super Bowl XXIX in Miami, and making him buy me an Arepa from a guy in a cart along the way. I remembered walking across a bridge in Pittsburgh with him when I was in 3rd grade, after we watched the Steelers win the AFC Championship, singing with a bunch of drunk dudes that the Steelers were finally going back to the Super Bowl.

I also remembered that I had this site, and that writing, though not my profession anymore, has always been cathartic. So, here we go...

My Dad was the Best/Worst Sports Fan

Maybe it's because he grew up poor in the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, but my dad never really mentioned his youth sports heroes, and never took pro sports particularly seriously.

He was 19 when Bill Mazeroski homered in the bottom of the 9th to win the Pirates the World Series against the Yankees, but he never even mentioned to me if he watched or listened to the game, though he did have memories of my grandmother screaming when Bruno Sammartino was in trouble against some evil, non-Italian, wrestler.

Still, he would always talk fondly about the 1970s Steelers teams from his 30s, most notably his favorite players, Mel Blount and Donnie Shell, the latter of which he still couldn't believe wasn't in the Hall of Fame.

He also thought the Steelers should have permanently benched Terry Bradshaw for Joe Gilliam, so he definitely had some Hot Sports Takes™ in his day.

My dad is the reason I root for the Steelers. I was born in Pittsburgh, but we moved to South Florida when I was still a baby. I remember the Steel City as a tough, gritty, smoggy place, where we would go to visit my grandparents, and my dad would occasionally take me to see the Steelers or the Pirates play in the old Three Rivers Stadium, or the Penguins skate in the old Civic Center.

The city made me think of my parents as kids, and the toughness they had to have as the son and daughter of immigrants to make it in this country the way they did. I always liked that identity, though it was never really mine, so I pasted it onto Pittsburgh's pro sports teams.

If MIAA Stars Entered the NFL Draft: 2020 Edition

Two-time defending Division 1 state champion St. John's Prep is well represented in our MIAA/NFL Mock Draft.

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

With the NFL Draft officially up and running, SuiteSports is back with its annual MIAA/NFL Draft.

If you need to get caught up, you can find our 2017 MIAA/NFL Draft here, our 2018 edition here, and lastly our 2019 draft here.

A reminder of the rules for players being taken in our MIAA/NFL Draft:

1. The player must be a senior. I know college juniors (and redshirt sophomores) can be taken in the real NFL Draft, but that's not how our draft works.

2. The player can be headed to prep school next year. Since we don't include ISL or other Prep School players in our draft, guys who are finishing up their MIAA careers and graduating from an MIAA school get the chance to be drafted.

3. We're keeping our mock draft to two rounds this year, although we did throw in a simulated trade for the first time. Otherwise, the order is listed as it was heading into the first night of the NFL Draft.

4. We are not pretending our 2017, 2018, and 2019 MIAA/NFL Drafts actually happened. 

5. Any complaints? We're all ears. 

Anyways, without further ado, here is our 2020 MIAA/NFL Draft.

Matt Feld: 10 MIAA Athletes Who Have Stood Out Amongst The Rest

BC High's Will Bowen is one of the better pure athletes to come through the MIAA in recent years. A star on the football and lacrosse fields, Bowen is currently in his sophomore year at UNC.

By Matt Feld (@MattyFeld612)

Throughout my tenure as a high school sports writer - first with ESPN Boston, then as a member of SuiteSports and now still with the Boston Herald - I have had the honor of covering some of the top players to come through Massachusetts across all sports.

I've covered Division 1 athletes, McDonald's All-American nominees, Gatorade Player of the Year Award winners, hundreds of state champions, and potential future professional athletes. There's nothing more humbling as a sports writer than turning on ESPN or FOX and seeing a player you covered back in high school facing off against some of the top college programs in the country.

One of the more unique aspects of high school sports, particularly here in Massachusetts, is that the players who rise to the top may not always be the most talented. The stories that grab your heart strings or make you fall in love with the game do not necessarily involve players headed for future stardom, but those who are stars right there in the moment. They may never be the top player to come out of Massachusetts, but they may just be the top player to come out of their school.

High school athletes become unique in their own way. What draws coverage towards them may be talent, an innate ability to fill out the stat sheet, or sheer dominance. There are other reasons, however, why an athlete may see a community rally around them. Whether it be their competitiveness, candor, personality, or leadership, high school sports in Massachusetts allows players to rise to town-fame when they otherwise may be forgotten.

Over the last half decade I have had the chance to cover players who fit both these descriptions. Some players who stood out from the moment they stepped on a field as a freshman, and others who blossomed as seniors. 

Here are 10 MIAA Athletes over the course of the last five years I have had the pleasure of covering who stood out amongst the rest.

If MIAA Stars Entered the NFL Draft: 2019 Edition

Everett's Mike Sainristil has all the tools to be the top pick in our mock draft.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

We may have (mostly) shut down operations here at SuiteSports, but dammit, I'm not gonna end this school year without putting out our fun, but mostly pointless blog about where the best players in the MIAA would be selected, were they available in this week's NFL Draft.

If you need to get caught up, you can find our 2017 MIAA/NFL Draft here, and our 2018 edition here.

A reminder of the rules for players being taken in our MIAA/NFL Draft:

1. The player must be a senior. I know college juniors (and redshirt sophomores) can be taken in the real NFL Draft, but that's not how our draft works.

2. The player can be headed to prep school next year. Since we don't include ISL or other Prep School players in our draft, guys who are finishing up their MIAA careers and graduating from an MIAA school get the chance to be drafted.

My Season in Review, and Some Final Thoughts From My Time at SuiteSports

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

The MIAA High School Football season ended in style last weekend, with Friday night and Saturday serving as a celebration for the 16 teams who had earned the right to take the field at Gillette Stadium.

It was a fall filled with extraordinary storylines. John DiBiaso took over as Catholic Memorial's head coach and immediately led the Knights to their first super Bowl appearance in 40 years. Despite losing stars all over the field, King Philip managed to return to Gillette for a third consecutive season only for John Dubzinksi's buzz-saw of a North Andover team to finish off a perfect season.

Scituate's senior captains Aidan Sullivan, Daniel May, Josh McKeever, and Josh Comeau completed their rise to the top in Division 5, as the Sailors grabbed their first Super Bowl in program history, while Cohasset stunned most when it halted Mashpee's quest for a four-peat. Paul Sobolewski's efforts to put Pope John back on the map showed that they are paying dividends, as the Tigers reached the Division 8 Super Bowl mere years after not having a program to speak of.

The final days of the football season, however, also signaled the end of SuiteSports' coverage of high school sports on a consistent basis, and my time with the blog. I will let my lead editor Joe Parello divulge more information on that matter in the coming days, and I'll continue to write for the Boston Herald's High School Sports section. 

2018 MIAA High School Football All-State Team

Christos Argyropoulos guided Stoneham to its first Super Bowl, cementing his placement on our All-State team. 

By SuiteSports Staff 

On Wednesday, SuiteSports unveiled its full list of award winners beginning with announcing Everett's Mike Sainristil as its 'Show-Time' winner. We then followed by unveiling Scituate quarterback Aidan Sullivan as the 2018 MIAA High School Football Player of the Year.

In the afternoon, SuiteSports announced the rest of its award recipients including offensive, defensive, and breakout player of the year, underclassmen of the year, lineman of the year, and coach of the year.

Now, SuiteSports and its panel of writers, correspondents, and editors are ready to release its 2018 MIAA High School Football All-State Teams. Check back in tomorrow when editor Matt Feld finishes our fall content by providing his final thoughts on the season, and the overall high school sports landscape in Massachusetts. 

MIAA Football: The Complete List of Our 2018 Award Winners

North Andover's Jake McElroy was the centerpiece of the Scarlet Knights vaunted offensive attack (Photo Courtesy: Brendan Hall/@BHaullUFA)

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612) 

Earlier today, SuiteSports announced its first two award winners.

Sctiaute quarterback Aidan Sullivan took home our third annual MIAA High School Football Player of the Year Award as his overall value and impact on the Sailors helped lead them to their first Super Bowl in school history.

Additionally, Everett's Mike Sainristil was the recipient of our 'Show-Time' Award. Previously only given to the most exciting player in Central Mass., we elected to open it up to the rest of Massachusetts this season and there was no one who fit that label better than the Michigan commit in Sainristil.

Now, SuiteSports and its panel of writers, correspondents, and editors, is ready to unveil the rest of its award winners. The list includes our Offensive, Defensive, Linemen, Breakout, Underclassmen, and Coach of The Year of the year recipients.

Check back in tomorrow when SuiteSports continues with its end of season coverage by releasing its MIAA Football All-State Team.

Mike Sainristil is SuiteSports' 2018 MIAA High School Football 'Show-Time' Award Winner

Everett's Mike Sainristil had a standout senior season, clearly supplanting himself as the most exciting player to watch in Massachusetts.

By SuiteSports Staff 

SuiteSports and its panel of writers, correspondents, and editors is excited to announce Everett's Mike Sainristil as this year's recipient of the 'Show-Time' Award given to the most exciting MIAA High School Football player to watch in the state.

In the past, the award was specifically given to Central Mass. football talents, but this year we elected to open it up to the entire state of Massachusetts. Previous winners include Isaac Yaidom, Kevin Mensah, and Tajon Vassar. There was no question that as the season developed, Sainristil was in a class of his own when it came to what he brought to the football field on a weekly basis.

MIAA Football: Final Top 25 Poll of the 2018 Season

North Andover finishes the season at the top after completing a perfect season with a Division 2 Super Bowl (Photo Courtesy: Brendan Hall/@BhallUFA)

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

The last two years, Everett has made it easy cruising through the majority of the regular season and postseason to clearly emerge as the top team in Massachusetts.

This season, however, became much more difficult to read when the Crimson Tide were shocked in the Division 1 North Sectional Semifinals to Central Catholic leaving the door open for someone else to grab the top spot in our final MIAA Football Top 25 Poll.

After plenty of discussion, North Andover is our top overall team to conclude the 2018 season with its blowout win over Lincoln-Sudbury coupled with its Super Bowl victory over King Philip in a rock fight being the deciding factor. St. John's Prep ends up in the two spot after being nothing short of dominant during the Division 1 Tournament. The aforementioned Crimson Tide end up at three, while Catholic Conference champion Xaverian and Division 1 South Sectional champion Catholic Memorial round out the top five.

Other Super Bowl winners to finish in the top 10 beyond North Andover and the Prep are Springfield Central (No. 6), Scituate (No. 9) and Nashoba (No. 10).

Now, here is our final Top 25 Poll of the 2018 season. Make sure to check back in tomorrow when we release our MIAA Football All-State Team

1. North Andover (12-0; Last Poll: 2) North Andover proved it could win in a variety of ways this season, scoring 42 points on Lincoln-Sudbury in the sectional final before emerging victors from a slug fest with King Philip in the Division 2 Super Bowl. This senior class will go down in program lore. 

MIAA Football: All-Tournmanet Team

North Andover quarterback Jake McElroy was the face of the Scarlet Knights run to the Division 2 Super Bowl (Photo Courtesy: Peter Raider/@PeterRaider2)

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612), Joe Parello (@HereWeGoJoe)

On Friday night and into Saturday, eight high school football teams were crowned Super Bowl champions at Gillette Stadium.

It was a banner year for Central and Western Mass. as the two regions combined to take home four championships. Springfield Central became the first Western Mass. school to win a state wide championship since the new playoff format came into effect in 2013. In Division 4, Nashoba continued its run of dominance as it won its second Super Bowl in four years.

Elsewhere, history was made as North Andover, Scituate, and Stoneham all grabbed their first Super Bowls while Blackstone Valley Tech won the Division 7 Crown. St. Bernard's won its first Super Bowl since 1997 in a win over Pope John and St. John's Prep grabbed its first since 2012 as they defeated Catholic Memorial.

With the MIAA High School Football State Tournament officially in the books, SuiteSports is excited to announce its All-Tournament Team to recognize the top players from the 2018 postseason.

Check back in throughout the week as we release our final MIAA Football Top 25 Poll, our All-State Teams, and announce our award winners.

Here is our MIAA Football All-Tournament Team.

MIAA Football: End of Season Podcast

Springfield Central hoists the Division 3 Super Bowl trophy following Saturday night's win over Tewksbury (Photo Courtesy: Brendan Hall/@BHallUFA)

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612), Joe Parello (@HereWeGoJoe)

On Sunday night, SuiteSports editors Matt Feld and Joe Parello gathered at Jake N' Joes in Waltham for a third time for the MIAA High School Football Podcast.

In their final one of the season, Matt and Joe discuss the big storylines from this past weekend's eight Super Bowls at Gillette Stadium, dive into their most notable take aways from the season, and analyze the player of the year race. Lastly, the two look at potential changes coming to the MIAA High School Football landscape.

Thank you for tuning in over the last few weeks. We will have content throughout the week, including our Final MIAA Football Top 25 Poll, Our All-State Team, and a release of all of our award winers.

 For now, we hope you enjoy our MIAA Football: End of Season Podcast.

MIAA Football: Top Performances From Super Bowl Weekend

Scituate's Will Sheskey broke the program record for rushing yards in a single season and guided the Sailors to their first Super Bowl in program history on Saturday (Photo Courtesy: Andrew Bowman). 

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Friday night and Saturday served as a celebration of the 2018 Massachusetts High School Football season as the Super Bowls across all eighth divisions were played at Gillette Stadium.

Nashoba got things started on Friday by winning its fifth championship in program history as they cruised past Dighton-Rehoboth, 31-0, in the Division 4 Super Bowl. In the nightcap, North Andover prevented a three-peat from King Philip as its defense pitched a shutout including halting three drives inside the 35-yard line to come away with a 6-0 win in the Division 2 Super Bowl.

In the Division 8 Super Bowl, St. Bernard's outlasted Pope John, 46-35, behind a dual rushing attack from Xavier Marty and Walter Morales. The game was the second highest scoring total in Super Bowl history.

Wes Rockett, Eagles Land 2018 Season With Division 1 Super Bowl

St. John's Prep poses with the Division 1 State Championship Trophy

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

FOXBORO -- Wes Rockett watched from afar as his older brother Owen won a Super Bowl with St. John's Prep in 2012. On Saturday night, he made sure the Eagles and his family added one more.

Rockett reeled in nine catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns while also adding an interception as St. John's Prep defeated Catholic Memorial, 40-22, to win the Division 1 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium.

Its the fourth Super Bowl in Prep program history and the first for Brian St. Pierre since he took over the program in 2014.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: St. John's Prep defeats Catholic Memorial for D1 State Title

Videos by Matt Siegel (@SportVideoMA)

Foxboro, Mass. - Our final MIAA state football championship game at Gillette Stadium for 2018 was a great one, as Catholic Conference rivals St. John's Prep and Catholic Memorial fought it our for the Division 1 state title.

In the end, it was St. John's Prep coming out on top, 40-22, pulling away late thanks to a flurry of forced turnovers and big offensive plays. Our Matt Siegel was there to grab highlights, which you can watch below.

St. Bernard's Outlasts Pope John In Shootout, Wins Division 8 Super Bowl

By John McGuirk (@patsfan1313)

Foxboro, Mass. - Even during the waning minutes, there was still a smell of uneasiness among the St. Bernard's sideline. 

After John Smith-Howell bolted across the goal line for a 2 yard touchdown run, with 2:23 remaining to slice the Bernardians' lead to just three points, Pope John continued to hold out hope for a miracle finish.

Fortunately for the Bernardians, they recovered the on-side kick and moments later, Walter Morales scored from 35-yards with 1:57 left to secure a 46-35 St. Bernard's victory in Saturday's MIAA Division 8 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium.

Stoneham Grinds out D6 Title Win against Old Rochester

Photo by Brendan C. Hall

By Andrew Bowman (@andrew_bowman5)

Foxboro, Mass. - It was a night of celebration for the Stoneham Spartans, who took home their first State Championship in school history, beating the Old Rochester Bulldogs 26-20.

Down two points late in the fourth quarter, Stoneham was driving down the field after a 20-yard rush by Christos Argyropoulos and a 16-yard catch by Thomas Pizzi. On the next play, however, quarterback Argyropoulos mishandled the lateral and the Bulldogs recovered. Just a few seconds later, Old Rochester turned the ball over and Stoneham had another chance to take the lead.

And they did just that. Argyropoulos, who was determined to make up for his earlier fumble, took the ball 42 yards to the house, and the Spartans took a six point lead with three minutes to go.

“Coach always says if something bad happens, just forget about it,” Argyropoulos said about his game-winning play. “I did the best I could do on the next play, he trusted me with the ball, and I ended up getting to the endzone.”

PHOTO GALLERY: Springfield Central Celebrates a State Title

Photos by Brendan C. Hall (@BHallUFA)

Foxboro, Mass. - Our Brendan Hall was at Springfield Central's historic trophy presentation, as the Golden Eagles celebrated becoming the first Western Mass team to capture a state-wide football championship.

Continue below for a few more shots of the Eagles' party.

PHOTO GALLERY: Scituate vs Nipmuc in the D5 Super Bowl

Photos by Andrew Bowman (@andrew_bowman5)

Foxboro, Mass. - Scituate captured its first Super Bowl win in program history, defeating Nipmuc 35-14 at Gillette Stadium Saturday.

Our Andrew Bowman snapped some quality shots, which you can view below. Click any image to enlarge.

PHOTO GALLERY: Blackstone Valley Tech vs St. Mary's in the D7 Super Bowl

Photos by Andrew Bowman (@andrew_bowman5)

Foxboro, Mass. - In the second state championship game of the day at Gillette Stadium, Blackstone Valley Tech shut out St. Mary's 18-0 to capture the D7 Super Bowl.

Our Andrew Bowman was down on the field to capture images of both teams, which you can view below. Note that you can click any image to enlarge.

PHOTO GALLERY: Stoneham vs Old Rochester in the D6 Super Bowl

Photos by Brendan C. Hall (@BHallUFA)

Foxboro, Mass. - Our Brendan Hall snapped some awesome shots of Stoneham's big win over Old Rochester in the Division 6 state championship game.

Continue below for the pictures, and note that you can click any image to enlarge.