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2025-2026
MHSFCA Annual Dues Information
Nomination forms for MHSFCA Annual Awards will go live this month.
Head Coaches must have dues paid to be considered
MHSFCA NEWS
Dear Massachusetts High School Football Coaches,
Welcome to Football Season!
I hope this letter finds you energized and ready for another successful year. It’s an honor to serve as President of the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association. I want to begin by thanking the incredible leaders who came before. Their commitment laid the groundwork for everything this association has achieved, and I hope to continue that tradition with the same passion and integrity.
Through monthly meetings, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication and collaboration that make this group special. Despite many challenges, our coaches continue to rise above and find new ways to grow the game and support each other. MHSFCA remains a powerful advocate for high school football in our state — from advancing player safety and ethical coaching to promoting sportsmanship and leadership on and off the field.
Through clinics, seminars, and shared resources, we’ve strengthened coaching at every level. Our efforts to connect with other sports, schools, and associations across the state have helped build a broader and more unified football community. As well as a coach, I have been an athletic director and district representative to the MIAA Football Committee. I’ve experienced the pathways which can make positive changes to our sport. I invite you to offer ideas on how we can expand those efforts and keep moving forward together.
As always, the association will continue to recognize excellence through annual initiatives like
We’ll also continue honoring individuals through awards such as the
I encourage you to get involved. Join us at monthly meetings (second Wednesday of each month at Xaverian High School, also available via zoom) visit our website, pay your dues, and stay informed. We’re always looking for active members and new voices to help lead and represent coaches from every corner of the stat
On behalf of the Executive Board, thank you for your involvement and your commitment to this great game. I’m proud to serve you and look forward to what we’ll accomplish together this year
Sincerely,
Brad Sidwell
President, Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association 2025-2026
Welcome to Football Season!
I hope this letter finds you energized and ready for another successful year. It’s an honor to serve as President of the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association. I want to begin by thanking the incredible leaders who came before. Their commitment laid the groundwork for everything this association has achieved, and I hope to continue that tradition with the same passion and integrity.
Through monthly meetings, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication and collaboration that make this group special. Despite many challenges, our coaches continue to rise above and find new ways to grow the game and support each other. MHSFCA remains a powerful advocate for high school football in our state — from advancing player safety and ethical coaching to promoting sportsmanship and leadership on and off the field.
Through clinics, seminars, and shared resources, we’ve strengthened coaching at every level. Our efforts to connect with other sports, schools, and associations across the state have helped build a broader and more unified football community. As well as a coach, I have been an athletic director and district representative to the MIAA Football Committee. I’ve experienced the pathways which can make positive changes to our sport. I invite you to offer ideas on how we can expand those efforts and keep moving forward together.
As always, the association will continue to recognize excellence through annual initiatives like
- Super 26 Team
- Divisional All-State Teams,
- Coaches Clinic at Gillette
- Gold Athletics Scholarship
- MHSFCA Annual Awards Banquet
We’ll also continue honoring individuals through awards such as the
- Hall of Fame
- Paul Costello Courageous Player
- Assistant Coach of the Year
I encourage you to get involved. Join us at monthly meetings (second Wednesday of each month at Xaverian High School, also available via zoom) visit our website, pay your dues, and stay informed. We’re always looking for active members and new voices to help lead and represent coaches from every corner of the stat
On behalf of the Executive Board, thank you for your involvement and your commitment to this great game. I’m proud to serve you and look forward to what we’ll accomplish together this year
Sincerely,
Brad Sidwell
President, Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association 2025-2026
2025 New England Elite Football Clinic Discount for MIAA Football Players
The Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association is proud to announce that the New England Elite Football Clinic will be offering a $100 discount to any MIAA football player. This year’s clinic will be at Tufts University on June 21 & 22. The NE Elite Clinic has been in the Boston area for 33 years and has helped thousands of MIAA players get recruited by some of the finest academic institutions in the country. Their staff includes 400+ college coaches. It’s a great event for any MIAA player who wants to learn more football and get recruited by over 100 colleges.
Not only is this a great deal for your players, but the NE Elite team will also give the MHSFCA a portion of the proceeds for any MIAA player that uses our link, thus helping our players and organization at the same time. We ask that you distribute this link to any interested players ASAP because the Elite Clinic has sold out for 17 straight years and will again. And please make sure they use the link below.
For more information and for the $100 discount, please register with the link below:
MHSFCA/MIAA Player $100 Discount Link:
https://form.jotform.com/250895497744172
Not only is this a great deal for your players, but the NE Elite team will also give the MHSFCA a portion of the proceeds for any MIAA player that uses our link, thus helping our players and organization at the same time. We ask that you distribute this link to any interested players ASAP because the Elite Clinic has sold out for 17 straight years and will again. And please make sure they use the link below.
For more information and for the $100 discount, please register with the link below:
MHSFCA/MIAA Player $100 Discount Link:
https://form.jotform.com/250895497744172
2025 Awards Banquet - May 4th
4/1/2025 - The Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association will hold its annual Awards Banquet on Sunday, May 4 at the DoubleTree Westborough. Reception begins at 4 p.m. and dinner to follow at 5.
The following coaches will be inducted into the Hall of Fame: Jeff Cormier (Auburn), Steve Dembowski (Milton), Shawn Maguire (Burlington), Dave Palazzi (Leominster) Bruce Rich (Chelmsford) and Dave Woods (Bishop Fenwick).
In addition, the following assistant coaches will be honored: Don Miller (West Bridgewater), Ryan Dailey (Westborough), Fernand Lavoie (Lynnfield), Melvin Sasser (Chicopee), Matt Wassel (King Philip) and Marc Grady (Auburn).
Other award winners included Courageous Players Shane Gilmore of Uxbridge, Madux Iovinelli of Lynnfield and Manual Rivera of Barnstable. This year’s Media award winner is Hector Longo of the Lawrence Eagle Tribune, Distinguished Service award winners Steve Ash and Matt Ross of Gold Athletics and Cella Lifetime Achievement award winner Sandy Ruggles will also be honored.
Special recognition awards will be given to Mike Redding of Mansfield (300 wins) and Ken LaChapelle of Northbridge (400 wins). For ticket information please contact Justin McKay ([email protected]) or Tom Lopez ([email protected]).
The following coaches will be inducted into the Hall of Fame: Jeff Cormier (Auburn), Steve Dembowski (Milton), Shawn Maguire (Burlington), Dave Palazzi (Leominster) Bruce Rich (Chelmsford) and Dave Woods (Bishop Fenwick).
In addition, the following assistant coaches will be honored: Don Miller (West Bridgewater), Ryan Dailey (Westborough), Fernand Lavoie (Lynnfield), Melvin Sasser (Chicopee), Matt Wassel (King Philip) and Marc Grady (Auburn).
Other award winners included Courageous Players Shane Gilmore of Uxbridge, Madux Iovinelli of Lynnfield and Manual Rivera of Barnstable. This year’s Media award winner is Hector Longo of the Lawrence Eagle Tribune, Distinguished Service award winners Steve Ash and Matt Ross of Gold Athletics and Cella Lifetime Achievement award winner Sandy Ruggles will also be honored.
Special recognition awards will be given to Mike Redding of Mansfield (300 wins) and Ken LaChapelle of Northbridge (400 wins). For ticket information please contact Justin McKay ([email protected]) or Tom Lopez ([email protected]).
47th Annual Shriners High School Football Classic
Gold Athletics MHSFCA Leadership Scholarship
2024 Rules Changes (click for video)
MIAA Overtime
Question: What if in Overtime Team B intercepts or recovers a fumble and during their runback fumbles the ball and Team A recovers? A-B-A
1st down and there is A - B – A
Is Team A’s OT series over, since they coughed up the ball to Team B and later recovered the ball back?
This does NOT apply in Overtime.
Ruling:
Remember MIAA Rules 69.3.1.4
Example: Second Series - Team B intercepts Team A's pass and, during Team B's run back, Team A commits a personal foul.
Ruling: Team B has the option of extending the overtime period for one down free of penalty, with Team B putting the ball in play where the penalty leaves the ball, provided Team B has not fouled during the down. Or Team B may choose to penalize as a dead ball foul at the succeeding spot in the subsequent overtime period.
On 4th down that same exception applies to Team A in an A-B-A situation in Overtime Team A would have the same option
Team A has the option of extending the overtime period for one down free of penalty, with Team A putting the ball in play where the penalty leaves the ball, provided Team A has not fouled during the down. Or Team A may choose to penalize as a dead ball foul at the succeeding spot in the subsequent overtime period.
Question: What if in Overtime Team B intercepts or recovers a fumble and during their runback fumbles the ball and Team A recovers? A-B-A
- Is Team A awarded new OT series?
- Does Team A’s only get four downs to score and since they lost the ball to Team B, their OT series is over
- The correct answer is Neither of the above
1st down and there is A - B – A
- During regulation time Team A regains the ball in a A-B-A situation Team A is awarded, by rule a new series; (Team A’s ball - 1st and 10)? Ture
Is Team A’s OT series over, since they coughed up the ball to Team B and later recovered the ball back?
This does NOT apply in Overtime.
Ruling:
- The next Team A’s ball 2nd and Goal from the spot of the tackle/recovery.
- The next Team A’s ball 3rd and Goal from the spot of the tackle/recovery.
- The next Team A’s ball 4th and Goal from the spot of the tackle/recovery.
- Team A series would be over, they would Not get a new set of downs
Remember MIAA Rules 69.3.1.4
Example: Second Series - Team B intercepts Team A's pass and, during Team B's run back, Team A commits a personal foul.
Ruling: Team B has the option of extending the overtime period for one down free of penalty, with Team B putting the ball in play where the penalty leaves the ball, provided Team B has not fouled during the down. Or Team B may choose to penalize as a dead ball foul at the succeeding spot in the subsequent overtime period.
On 4th down that same exception applies to Team A in an A-B-A situation in Overtime Team A would have the same option
Team A has the option of extending the overtime period for one down free of penalty, with Team A putting the ball in play where the penalty leaves the ball, provided Team A has not fouled during the down. Or Team A may choose to penalize as a dead ball foul at the succeeding spot in the subsequent overtime period.
2024 Annual Awards - May 5th, 2024
Hall of Fame inductees
Gary Doherty, Framingham
Reg Lanciani, Dom Savio
Chris Lindstrom, Shepherd Hill
Sean Mahoney, Marlboro
Phil Marchegiani, Marian
Sean Mulcahy, Doherty
Paul Sullivan, North Attleboro
Gary Doherty, Framingham
Reg Lanciani, Dom Savio
Chris Lindstrom, Shepherd Hill
Sean Mahoney, Marlboro
Phil Marchegiani, Marian
Sean Mulcahy, Doherty
Paul Sullivan, North Attleboro
