Varsity Football

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PHILOSOPHY

The second line of St. Sebastian’s mission statement reads: “The ideal St. Sebastian’s graduate will be a moral and just person, a gentleman of courage, honor, and wisdom, a life-long learner who continues to grow in his capacity to know, to love, and to serve God and neighbor.” Founded on these ideals of scholarship, brotherhood, character, and dedication to growth and competitiveness, St. Sebastian’s football has been and continues to be one of the premier programs in Massachusetts and New England. Competing in the upper division of the ISL, the Arrows play in one of the top leagues in the Northeast. From the first season of St. Sebastian’s football in 1941 to present day, the Arrows have enjoyed tremendous success on the field and in the development of young men of honor, courage, and selflessness.

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PROGRAM DETAILS

We field five teams: Varsity, JV, 9th grade, 8th grade, and 7th grade. Keeping with the school’s dedication to the teacher coach model, all teams are coached by St. Sebastian’s faculty. Many of our players go on to play collegiate football or another college sport, and everyone in the program is valued and contributes in significant ways to the success of the Arrows football program.

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RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

2022: 6-2 Regular Season Record – ISL Champions

• NEPSAC Dave Coratti Bowl Berth

2018: 7-1 Regular Season Record - ISL Champions

• NEPSAC Todd Marble Bowl Berth
• Billy Seidl - ISL MVP and NEPSAC Class B MVP
• Bryce Gallagher - Massachusetts Defensive Player of the Year

2015: Brian Strachan ’11 awarded the Swede Nelson Award by the Gridiron Club of Boston. He is the only ISL player ever to receive the award.

2014: 6-2 Regular Season Record

• NEPSAC Kevin Fleming Bowl Champions

2013: St. Sebastian's Co-Captain Connor Strachan '14 is awarded the Darren Gallup Award as I.S.L. MVP and is selected to play in the Marine Corps Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Anaheim, California — the first player from the I.S.L. to ever be selected. He is elected by his team as one of the Co-Captains.

2012: 9-0 Record - ISL Champions

• NEPSAC Arthur Valicenti Bowl Champions
• Head Coach Bob Souza wins Massachusetts High School Football Coach of the Year, the first ever ISL coach to win the award

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RECENT ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS

2022:

• Bryce Gallagher ’19 earns All Big Ten Honorable Mention as a junior captain linebacker at Northwestern, finishing 4^th in the league in total tackles

2021:

• Connor Strachan ’14 becomes the first Arrow to play in an NFL game, suiting up for the Houston Texans
• Blake Gallagher ’17 signs with the Baltimore Ravens after graduating from Northwestern

2018 College Season:

• Connor Strachan ’14 led Boston College in tackles and earned 3rd team All-ACC honors
• Matt Daniel ’15 a Captain DB at Middlebury earned 1st team All-NESCAC honors
• Geoff Wade ’15 was the starting QB at Holy Cross and earned 2nd team All-Patriot league honors
• Blake Gallagher ’17 led Northwestern in tackles and earned 3rd team All-Big Ten honors
• Jonathan Pace ’18 played in all 12 games at DE for UConn as a true freshman

27 St. Sebastian’s players have gone on to play college football in the past five years at the FBS, FCS, Division 2 and Division 3 levels
42 college athletes in the past five years

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OTHER GREAT MOMENTS IN ST. SEBASTIAN'S FOOTBALL HISTORY

1941: The first interscholastic contest was against Shady Hill School of Cambridge that resulted in a 12-12 tie in 1941 with each team fielding six players.

1961: Under the leadership of Coach Tom Green and Captain Kevin Daley '61, the Arrows went undefeated for the season with a record of 8-0.

1967 & 1969: Head coach Henry O’Brien guides the Arrows to their first two championships, completing each season with an undefeated 7-0 record.

1977: St. Sebastian’s football enters the Independent School League (I.S.L.) and wins the I.S.L. championship with a 7-0 record under head coach Ed Sweeney.

1982: Head coach Bob Souza won his first of six I.S.L. championships with a 6-1 record.

1982: In the last football game played on the old Newton campus, St. Sebastian's prevailed over an undefeated St. George's with a 7-6 win, leading to a share of the I.S.L. Title.

1990: The Arrows won the I.S.L. Championship with a 6-1 record.

1994: The Arrows finished the season undefeated at 8-0. They lost in the New England Championship game to Holderness. Coach Souza was named "Coach of the Year" by the Dedham Transcript, and Chris Washington was named I.S.L. MVP.

1998: Running back David Greer ’99 rushed for a then state-record 433 yards on 23 carries with 5 touchdowns in a 41-22 victory over Milton Academy.

1999: Arrows finished the season at 8-1 and undefeated in league play to win another league championship. They lost to Tabor Academy 12-7 in NEPSAC Class B Bowl.

2001: Head coach Bob Souza won his 100th game.

2001: Behind Sedale Threatt's 18-yard touchdown pass to Matt Borders on the final play of the game, the Arrows defeated Belmont Hill, ending Belmont's two year unbeaten streak. The Arrows went on to claim a share of the I.S.L. Title.

2010: Head Coach Bob Souza was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.