A New Chapter for the Wellesley Raiders
Jim Everhart, the newly appointed head coach of the Wellesley High football program, steps onto the field for the first time after a 14‑year tenure by his predecessor Jesse Davis. Known for his offensive acumen and player development, Everhart inherits a squad that has tasted playoff success three years in a row.
The 2026 schedule promises a gauntlet of road tests, beginning with a September 10 showdown at Braintree, followed by a trip to Reading on September 17. The Raiders will then host Walpole on September 25 before traveling to Weymouth and Framingham later in the month. Each contest is circled on the calendar as a benchmark for the team’s growth under new leadership.
At the heart of the offense is quarterback Bobby Shanahan, a Holy Cross commit who will lean on two Division‑1‑bound receivers, Tennyson Charney and Matthew Leibman, to stretch defenses. Their chemistry was on display in last season’s playoff victory, a performance that has raised expectations for a deeper run this year.
Perhaps the most anticipated fixture is the Thanksgiving grudge match against Needham, the oldest public‑school rivalry in the nation. Scheduled for November 26 at Needham’s home field, the game promises to add another chapter to a rivalry that dates back more than a century.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, the season carries a cultural weight for the town. Residents view the Raiders’ campaign as a communal rallying point, and the schedule’s mix of local rivals and traditional foes underscores the program’s deep roots in the region.