Foxborough, Mass. – After leading the Somerville Highlanders to a 36-16 upset win over previously undefeated Lynn Classical, Somerville head coach Makonnen Fenton has been named this week's New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week.
Coach Fenton, a former standout running back for the Highlanders, has directed Somerville High to a three-game win streak and a share of first place in the Northeastern Conference's Central Division standings. The Highlanders, previously a member of the disbanded Greater Boston League, began the 2017 season with a 1-2 mark before earning back-to-back wins on the road, including a 42-0 shutout at Medford. Last week, Coach Fenton's team hosted the NEC Central-leading Lynn Classical Rams and earned their fourth win of the season behind a three-score performance by quarterback Elijah Jeffreys. The Highlanders scored on their first three possessions, including two touchdown runs by Jeffreys, to take a 21-0 lead at the half. Jeffreys added a third – a 66-yard dash to the end zone – early in the third quarter to keep Somerville in control. Highlanders running back Fred Castin also contributed two touchdowns on the ground. Somerville High's next matchup will come at Revere High School on Friday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett, now the team's executive director of community affairs, visited the Highlanders players and coaching staff Tuesday afternoon to present Somerville High School's football program with a $1,000 donation on behalf of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, in honor of Coach Fenton. The visit and check presentation will be featured on the Patriots weekly television show, "Patriots All Access," which airs on Friday night at 7 p.m. on WBZ-TV in Boston and will be available immediately after on Patriots.com.
This is the 22nd year in which the Patriots joined the National Football League in conducting the High School Coach of the Week program, which recognizes outstanding high school coaches and promotes youth football throughout New England. The 2017 season marks the seventh year that Tippett has taken the award on the road to visit the schools that benefit from the program.
"Congratulations to Somerville and Coach Fenton on an impressive win on Friday," Tippett said. "Coach Fenton, once a standout player himself, has demonstrated the leadership and ability to bring the best out of his players and help them rise to the occasion. We wish Coach Fenton and the Highlanders continued success in their first year in a new division."
At the conclusion of the fall, one of the weekly winners will be named the New England Patriots High School Coach of the Year and will receive a $2,000 contribution towards the school's football program.
For the seventh straight year, the Patriots will also be accepting nominations for High School Coach of the Week honors. Those who wish to nominate a high school football coach in New England who leads a team to an exceptional weekly performance or reaches a personal career milestone is encouraged to send submissions to nominatecoach@patriots.com.
The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation is the non-profit through which the Patriots support charitable and philanthropic organizations throughout New England. This support comes in the form of direct grants, in-kind donations and player appearances. The foundation assists a variety of charitable organizations and programs throughout New England by supporting their educational, family and health initiatives.
