Foxborough, Mass. - Needham High School's David Duffy has been named this week's New England Patriots High School Football Coach of the Week in recognition of his team's 45-28 victory over Weymouth High School on Saturday, Oct. 1. A powerful rushing attack led the way for the unranked Rockets over the previously undefeated No. 6 Weymouth Wildcats. Needham's two senior tailbacks combined for 279 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the win. The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will donate $1,000 to Needham High School's football program in Duffy's name in recognition of his Coach of the Week selection.
Patriots and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett, the team's executive director of community affairs, visited Coach Duffy and his team on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Needham High School. The visit and check presentation will be featured on the team's weekly television magazine show, Patriots All Access, which airs at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7 on WBZ-TV in Boston and later on Patriots.com.
This season marks the 16th 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. Tippett oversees the program as part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's commitment to youth football initiatives.
"This was a true Bay State matchup with Needham winning 45-28 and upsetting Weymouth," said Tippett. "As always in big games like this, turnovers, defense and good coaching were key to this win. We're excited to present Coach Duffy and the Needham High School football program with this donation, and we wish them well the rest of the season."
At the conclusion of the season, one high school coach will be named the New England Patriots High School Coach of the Year and will receive an additional $2,000 contribution toward the school's football program.
In previous years, Tippett has invited the Coach of the Week and senior captains for a visit to Gillette Stadium, but decided to take the award on the road in 2011 so he could visit the schools that benefit from the program. This year is also the first year the Patriots will accept nominations for High School Coach of the Week. Anyone who knows a high school football coach in New England who has a great week or reaches a personal career milestone is encouraged to submit a nomination at 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. For more information, visit www.patriots.com/community.
