Preseason football honors
The Boston Herald released its preseason EMass. All-Star football team, and a few local stars highlight the group.
Two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star Methuen running back/receiver Shane Eason was the lone local named to the first team. The dynamic playmaker caught 37 passes for 818 yards (both second in the area), rushed for 544 yards and scored 16 total touchdowns last fall.
Named to the second-team offense were Eagle-Tribune All-Star Andover quarterback Dominic Papa (2,006 yards, 24 TDs passing in 2023), Central Catholic offensive lineman Brian Waller-Reitano and Methuen long snapper Conway Bradshaw.
Picked for the second-team defense was Golden Warrior defensive back Connor Acheson (76 tackles in 2024). Honorable mentions were Eagle-Tribune All-Star Greater Lawrence Tech running back Gustavo Varela and Central Catholic receiver Drew Alsup.
Masson to Wentworth
Salem High multi-sport standout Aaron Masson will continue his baseball career at the Wentworth Institute of Technology, he announced on “X” this week.
Masson, an infielder and pitcher, is coming off an All-New Hampshire Division I junior baseball season where he hit .333, then an American Legion season where he hit .600 (9 for 15) with six RBIs in the tournament. He is also preparing to kick off his senior football season, where he is a starting offensive and defensive lineman.
Web Gems
North Andover’s Max Burt is healthy and flashing some seriously impressive defense as an infielder for the Somerset Patriots, the double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. To see a highlight reel of three recently web gems by Burt, visit my “X” (formally Twitter) page (@DWillisET).
Offer for Rodriguez
Haverhill’s Alani Rodriguez has picked up her first Division 1 college basketball offer, from Bryant University, she announced this week. Rodriguez is heading into her sophomore season as a top guard for Phillips Academy, and plays club for the Rivals Basketball Club.
Captains Corner
The high school sports fall preseason is officially underway, and we at The Eagle-Tribune want to honor the area’s high school captains as part of our Captains Corner series. Coaches — or parents or the athletes themselves — who would like their captains featured are welcome to submit a photo to dwillis@eagletribune.com. Photos should have all captains featured and ideally in uniform.
One Final Thought
As Michael Muldoon used to say, “If you can bring a smile to someone’s face today, just do it!
TWITTER: DWillisET