Local squads dreaming big as football preseason opens in Massachusetts

Football returned to Massachusetts this Monday with high school preseason practices across the Merrimack Valley and the rest of the Bay State. The regular season is set to open on Sept. 10, after 270 days of anticipation for players and coaches. Haverhill lineman Ethan Jalbert said he has been thinking about football since Thanksgiving and is excited for the 2026 campaign. Central Catholic, coming off a 8-4 season and Division 1 semifinal appearance, is expected to be among the state’s best, returning quarterback Caden Smith (1,233 yards, 14 passing TDs, 993 rushing yards, 16 TDs) and offensive lineman Brian Waller-Reitano, under first-year head coach John Dubzinski. Methuen aims to build on its second straight MVC Division 1 title (8-3) with quarterback/running back Caiden Hartley-Didio. Andover looks to bounce back from a 7-4 squad led by running back Marcus DeJesus (1,237 all-purpose yards, 19 TDs) and QB Kyle Olson (1,406 passing yards, 17 TDs).