MVPs honored
Eagle-Tribune 2023 football MVPs Brian McSweeney of Andover and Drew Eason of Methuen have each been named to the 26-player Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Associated (MHSFCA) All-State team.
Bentley recruit McSweeney, our defensive Player of the Year, was one of four linebackers selected to the team. The Stonehill-bound Eason was one of three quarterbacks picked for the team.
No other locals were selected. The closest to another player from the region was St. John’s Prep defensive lineman Mason McSweeney, who by all accounts is not related to Andover’s McSweeney.
Kesselring in NHL
Michael Kesselring, the son of former Merrimack College star and Pinkerton Academy hockey coach Casey Kesselring, is making his mark at the NHL level.
In 17 games for the Arizona Coyotes this season, Casey — a 23-year-old defenseman — has scored three goals and added five assists and 12 penalty minutes. He had three assists in nine games last season.
Michael’s dad Casey coached Pinkerton to a pair of state titles (2009, 2012), before stepping down to coach powerhouse New Hampton Prep. Prior to coaching, he score 133 points during his career at Merrimack College. He graduated in 1998.
Barkley over E.J.?
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed veteran NFL scrub quarterback Matt Barkley to their active roster on Wednesday, instead of elevating Andover’s E.J. Perry IV from their practice squad.
Sure, Barkley has the NFL experience, but that’s only proven he’s not good. Since making his NFL debut in 2013, he’s only appeared in 19 games — seven starts — with no appearances 2020.
Why not give Perry IV a shot as an active backup? Everyone saw what he did in the USFL. He’s young and knows the system.
Wrong hometown
Eagle-Tribune All-Star honorable mention Jagger Carreiro of Brooks actually resides in Methuen. His hometown was incorrectly listed in the Eagle-Tribune All-Star football team.
Carreiro was an ISL honorable mention. He made 29 tackles and added five receptions for 61 yards and two touchdowns.
Captains Corner
With the winter sports season now in full swing, we at The Eagle-Tribune still 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.
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