Brendan Connelly

The MIAA fall season is officially underway in the Commonwealth, and I am proud to announce that I will be penning the Boston Herald’s Football Notebook for the second straight year. We will be bringing back the weekly columns as well, including Pickorama and the Sweet 16. I'm thrilled for the opportunity once again, and excited to get started. Coaches and officials can send their story ideas to me here. Best of luck to all of the teams kicking off their training camps today.

HS Football: In an instant classic, Maxwell Parent had a chance to be a hero for St. John's Prep. The senior captain delivered in the best way imaginable Friday night. Find out how he lifted the Eagles (@sjpathletics) to a miraculous victory over longtime rival Catholic Memorial here: bostonherald.com/2026/10/30/…

Another star tonight for St. John's Prep (@sjpathletics): Chris Vargas. The Ohio State commit finished 12-of-23 passing for 203 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the victory. He gave his thoughts on tonight's incredible game. @BosHeraldSports @Murray_Jack_

The hero of tonight's win for St. John's Prep (@sjpathletics): Maxwell Parent. The senior captain finished 25 carries for 235 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 27 seconds remaining. @BosHeraldSports @Murray_Jack_

Rust escapes pressure, fires a Hail Mary downfield...and Codreanu is there for the game-ending interception!!! The Eagles (@sjpathletics) storm the field, as they win arguably the battle of the year in this Catholic Conference thriller!! Unbelievable!! FINAL: St. John's Prep 42, Catholic Memorial 35. @BosHeraldSports @Murray_Jack_

Parent with his latest carry...and he finds the end zone with a two-yard touchdown rush!!! Cullen adds the PAT, and St. John's Prep (@sjpathletics) has seized the lead with 27 seconds remaining!! It's now a 42-35 contest. @Murray_Jack_

Parent takes off for a 14-yard rush, and he goes down at the CM 3. SJP is looking for the dagger with 1:04 yo play. Knights use their final timeout to preserve clock.

Handoff goes to Parent, and he breaks off a 38-yard rush! St. John’s Prep (@sjpathletics) is on the move, now at the CM 31 with two minutes left. @Murray_Jack_

Knights go for it all, and Rust is met instantly in the backfield by Jay Arnett! The senior captain makes the stop, and St. John's Prep (@sjpathletics) takes over on downs with three minutes to go! It remains tied at 35-all. @Murray_Jack_

DiBiaso calls another timeout, his team facing a critical 4th-and-short situation in the red zone. CM is looking for a go-ahead score with 3:22 remaining. @Murray_Jack_

John DiBiaso burns a timeout for CM with 6:41 left in regulation. Knights have marched to the SJP 40, now facing 2nd-and-15. Still a 35-35 game. @Murray_Jack_

Parent with a carry, and the ball gets punched free! CM recovers, and takes over at its own 38 with 8:41 remaining. @Murray_Jack_