Foxborough, Mass. - With a 23-19 victory over North Attleboro on Friday night, Bishop Feehan head coach Gary Doherty led the Shamrocks to their first win of the season and has been named this week's New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week. Doherty is the first honoree of the 2018 season.
The Shamrocks' thrilling win was especially notable as it ended a nine-game losing streak to the Red Rocketeers, who were ranked sixth in the state by the Boston Globe heading into the matchup. Bishop Feehan senior quarterback Tim D'Ambrosia paced the offense with 117 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, but the team took advantage in all three phases of the game, including an interception and safety on defense, as well as a takeaway on special teams. In the fourth quarter, D'Ambrosia and the offense put together a 14-play, 82-yard drive in the fourth quarter to surge to a 23-13 lead, and the defense held on despite a late rally by North Attleboro to seal the win. It was Bishop Feehan's first win of the year after dropping a 22-16 decision to the Falmouth Clippers in the opening game. They will take on Billerica Memorial High School this Friday night 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 Shamrock players and coaching staff Tuesday afternoon to present Bishop Feehan's football program with a $1,000 donation on behalf of the New England Patriots Foundation, in honor of Coach Doherty. 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 23rd year in which the Patriots have 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 2018 season marks the eighth year that Tippett has taken the award on the road to visit the schools that benefit from the program.
"Congratulations to Coach Doherty and the entire Bishop Feehan football program on this statement win," Tippett said. "The Shamrocks showed great competitiveness and poise on Friday night, and we wish them the best of luck as they continue their 2018 campaign."
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 an additional $2,000 contribution towards the school's football program.
For the eighth 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 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.
