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Massachusetts: There Are 19 Local Players On The Boston College Football Team

Author Jeff Gorra

In the world of football, August means one thing: training camp. Preseason in Chestnut Hill is underway, and there are 19 Massachusetts players on the 2023 Boston College football roster.

When the Eagles officially joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2005 their rivals became big names in the NCAA. The likes of Florida State, Clemson, and Wake Forest were now in their division. This meant the school’s visibility expanded significantly outside the walls of New England. Therefore, traveling to these other major markets began to attract potential players that wouldn’t have normally considered playing college football in Boston.

As a result, there have been players from all over the country on the BC Eagles roster lately. For example, one of the highest profile names to be drafted out of Boston College lately, Zay Flowers (last year, first round pick #22, by the Baltimore Ravens), grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Currently, with a preseason full roster, Boston College has players from all over the world. This includes recruits who are from places like Toronto, Quebec, Australia, Mexico, and Serbia. Domestically, the team is a great mix of talent from all corners of the country. For example, a freshman linebacker from Hawaii, eight players from Florida, and six players from California.

But, what about some love for our home state? Well, there are currently 19 players from Massachusetts on the Boston College 2023 roster. Here they are.

BC Eagles From MA

2 Joseph Griffin Jr. So. WR Springfield, Mass. / Springfield Central
3 Khari Johnson Sr. DB Boston, Mass. / Suffield Academy
6 Jaedn Skeete Fr. WR Hyde Park, Mass. / Catholic Memorial
9 Josiah Griffin Fr. DL Springfield, Mass. / Springfield Central
15 Shane Hanafin R-Fr. QB Burlington, Mass. / Buckingham Browne & Nichols
18 Andrew Landry R-Jr. TE Newton, Mass. / Newton North
26 Datrell Jones Fr. RB Hyde Park, Mass. / Catholic Memorial
33 Owen McGowan R-So. LB Canton, Mass. / Catholic Memorial
34 Tim Hays R-Fr. LB Concord, Mass. / Concord-Carlisle
38 Nick Nicotra Sr. WR Lenox, Mass. / Lenox Memorial
38 Max Tucker Fr. DB Hyde Park, Mass. / Catholic Memorial
66 Drew Kendall R-So. OL Norwell, Mass. / Noble and Greenough School
70 Ozzy Trapilo R-Jr. OL Norwell, Mass. / Boston College High School
72 Jack Funke R-Fr. OL Needham, Mass. / Xaverian
81 Holden Symonds Fr. TE Melrose, Mass. / Governor’s Academy
82 Ismael Zamor R-Fr. WR Everett, Mass. / Everett
85 Jacob Kraft R-Jr. WR Chestnut Hill, Mass. / Dexter Southfield
87 Matt Ragan R-Fr. TE Westboro, Mass. / Lawrence Academy
95 Liam Connor So. K Leominster, Mass. / Middlesex School

Boston College kicks off their season September 2 vs. Northern IL at Alumni Stadium.

The Savannah Bananas Are Coming: Here's What You Need To Know

The greatest show in minor league baseball embarked on a tour this past summer for the first time. The Savannah Bananas visited Massachusetts in August, and here is what you need to know.

First and foremost, they are awesome. Their unique brand of minor league baseball includes a whole bunch of entertainment. And the team always looks great, too in their bright yellow uniforms. Back in October of 2022, the Savannah Bananas announced they were bringing their banana ball on tour. This would bring the ballclub to 33 cities in 20 states over the course of the 2023 summer.

“The 2023 world tour will be the most mind-boggling, exhilarating, craziest, and fun thing that has ever happened in sports,” said Bananas head coach Tyler Gillum, in a press release issued by the club. Forty players from the team are part of each tour stop.

The Massachusetts Stop

The Savannah Bananas rolled into the Bay State on Wednesday, August 16. They played at Campanelli Stadium in Brockton. Here, they played against the Party Animals. Who are the Party Animals? Glad you asked.

“In most cases, the Bananas face off against the Party Animals, another touring team also owned by (Jason) Cole,” The Guardian explained in their recent profile of the team. There are other one-off games on the schedule where the team plays other minor league professional teams.

Bananaland

This past August in Brockton, New England sports legends made an appearance and participated in the extravaganza. This included Johnny Damon stepping to the plate. Then, in the sixth inning former quarterback Doug Flutie came out to the pitchers mound. He would arrange a huddle before throwing a few passes.

The rise of “Banana Nation” is a truly fascinating story. The team owner, Jesse Cole (who also owns the aforementioned opponent, Party Animals) is also the founder of Fans First Entertainment. Cole began his career behind the scenes in minor league baseball with the Gastonia Grizzlies in North Carolina.

To build anticipation and start to get a peel for what fans are in for, here are a few fun facts you need to know about the Savannah Bananas going on tour in 2024.

  • There's A Riveting Documentary On The Savannah Bananas

    It will be available for streaming on ESPN+, Bananaland tells the entire story about how the Savannah Bananas came to be. It stemmed from Jesse Cole’s experience with the Gastonia Grizzlies. He blended his creativity, love of baseball, and creativity to develop the concept of the Bananas’ entertaining style of baseball. It was a home run with fans, and the rest is history.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Savannah Bananas (@thesavbananas)

  • How Is The Game Different?

    Trick plays, team dances, pitchers on stilts – it’s all fair game in Bananaland. Aside from looking great, the player’s incredible athleticism has them moving great throughout each inning. There is no slow or idle time in a Savannah Bananas game. You never know what can happen next.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Savannah Bananas (@thesavbananas)

  • How Is The Game Regulated?

    Don’t be mistaken, it is not a free-for-all. There are rules and regulations, and the premise is still high-quality baseball. However, the umpires have some fun, too. They often appear to be the typical law enforcers until they hit you with a sudden crane-kick.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Savannah Bananas (@thesavbananas)

  • Is This A Baseball Game Or A Show?

    It’s both. The players practice baseball in the offseason and they also rehearse. Like Major League Baseball, the team sometimes rocks alternate jerseys as well. Here’s an example of a “walk-up song” in Bananaland.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Savannah Bananas (@thesavbananas)

  • What Else?

    You can expect a pep rally, dance routines by players (and sometimes coaches) in-between innings, player pranks on the field, a couple of backflips, mascots, players wearing their uniforms as an extension of their own personality, and a ton of summer fun.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Savannah Bananas (@thesavbananas)

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

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