A Condensed Countdown
The 2026 high school football season in Massachusetts kicked off on Monday, August 24, with training camps buzzing across the commonwealth. The usual summer lull gave way to a flurry of drills, strategy sessions, and the first glimpse of rosters that will shape the upcoming slate of games.
Xaverian High School enters the year riding three straight Div. 1 Super Bowl titles, a streak that has placed the program under a spotlight few others enjoy. Coach Al Fornaro, now in his third championship run, has already seen his star quarterback prospect, Will Wood, commit to Penn State in May. Wood, determined to make his final season at Xaverian count, is focused on beating Bishop Feehan and extending the Flyers’ dominance.
Rivalries Rekindled
Just a short distance away, Scituate’s program is looking to build on its 2024 Div. 4 Super Bowl victory. Under Coach Herb Devine, the Sailors return key playmakers Grayson Foley and Tyler Stelljes, who will split duties at wideout and quarterback. Both athletes earned league honors last season and are expected to drive the team’s push for another title run.
Catholic Memorial, led by the venerable Coach John DiBiaso, who is entering his 45th year on the sidelines, is projected to be a top contender in Div. 2. DiBiaso’s Knights have captured four state championships in the past five years, and the coaching staff is already mapping out a plan to defend their recent success, protect the Catholic Conference crown, and chase another Super Bowl.
The compressed preseason — trimmed to just 17 days by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association — has added a new layer of pressure. Coaches like Mansfield’s Mike Redding have voiced frustration over the limited window, but many agree that the urgency forces teams to sharpen efficiency and discipline in every practice.