Listen to the full interview below.
With the start of Haverhill’s new school year two weeks away, the city’s youngest gridiron greats are already hard at work honing their skills through the Haverhill High School new football feeder program known as the Junior Hillies, HHS football coach Tim O’Connor tells WHAV.
Joining WHAV’s “Win for Breakfast” last week, O’Connor, who also teaches at Haverhill High, said the program for seventh and eighth graders was a long-held hope of his, as it fosters the sense culture of team and academic responsibility necessary at the high school level. O’Connor, who sits on the board of directors, did recognize the challenges associated with a team of middle school students, saying, “It’s very fluid, the emotions, on a daily basis.”
Practices currently take place at the Haverhill High School fields on Monument Street and will transition to Riverside Park after Labor Day, O’Connor said.
For its first year, Junior Hillies has 55 students signed up. The team is a member of the 18-team Northeast Junior Football League, planning to play eight games: Four home games in Haverhill and four away games in other communities. Chris Farrell serves as head coach.
To stay up to date on the program, visit HaverhillYouthFootball.com.