Ivy League Brown, Tufts among institutions
Published in the June 24, 2016 edition
GOING PLACES. These MHS football stars will represent some fine institutions when they suit up for college ball in the fall of 2016. Pictured, from left are Jay Tyler (attending Tufts), Christian Perkins (Becker), Alex Bookman (Fitchburg) Brian Mercer (Brown University) Julian Nyland (W.P.I.) and Jaret Botelho (Bridgewater State).
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — In a high school landscape where playing college football remains a long shot, the Melrose High Red Raider football team has continued a long tradition of sending some of their finest athletes into collegiate competition. After two years of unparalleled success on the MHS football field, six senior Red Raider football players will extend their football careers to an impressive collection of universities in 2016, including an Ivy league school.
Red Raiders Brian Mercer, Jaret Botelho, Julian Nyland, Alex Bookman, Jay Tyler and Christian Perkins have committed to play college football at some of nation’s finest schools. They join a list of recent MHS grads who have continued their football career in college, such as Jack Hickey, Will Caffey, Eric Mercer, Zac Mercer, Christian Pizzotti, Spencer Walsh, Chris Devir, Malik Garrett, Jesse Gauvain, Nick Campbell and Dean Anderson, among others. Notably, recent grads Charlie Steele and Brian McLaughlin both committed to play at incredibly high level programs like Div. 1 Holy Cross (Steele) and U.S. Naval Academy (McLaughlin).
Coach Tim Morris spoke of the caliber of schools these Melrose athletes continue on to, by quipping, “Not bad for a public school”. Historically, he points out, Melrose football athletes have competed at universities such as Williams, Coast Guard, Bates, Duke, Bentley, Colby and Tufts. Melrose also has a current roster of recent grads at NESCAC (Small IVY) playing at Amherst, Colby, Tufts and Hamilton.
“This year we had kids once making the work in the classroom number one. That gave them a shot at some great schools,” says Morris. “I think we do have a football culture in Melrose but it’s important to academically do your best, work hard, play other sports and focus on fundamentally sound football.”
It comes as no surprise that Melrose’s finest 2015-16 gridiron stars have advanced to an impressive array of colleges this year. These Melrose Red Raiders became sought after commodities after clinching back-to-back Super Bowl appearances and their first ever undefeated 12-0 season in 2015. Known for possessing some of the best defense in the state, Melrose easily drew the attention of college scouts, who recruited them to play football next fall.
One of those athletes is Red Raider senior captain <\Bz14>Brian Mercer<\z14>, Melrose’s 6’5 All-Star tight end who has committed to play Ivy League football at Brown University. Mercer was recruited by numerous schools after displaying some of the best line work in the state. Football is in his blood, as many Mercers (parent, cousins, uncles) have left their mark at Melrose High. Given his stature, size and relentless pressure on field, it’s not surprise he reached the upper echelon of programs. When Mercer attended top football camps last summer he caught the eye of the Brown coaching staff. “I sent some tapes in,” he told the Melrose Weekly News. “And I talked to the coaches before the school year and really concentrated on keeping my grades high.” Earning straight A’s took hours of sacrifice on Mercer’s part. “It was hard to do both [football] and studying, but the teachers were great, I came to school early and stayed late. I did everything I could to make it happen. It was a lot of sacrifice.” His reward: admission to the fall 2016 class and a spot on the Brown Bears football squad. Mercer plans to study in the The C.V. Starr Program in Business, Entrepreneurship and Organizations (BEO).
Teammate Jay Tyler has an equally bright future ahead of him. He was recruited by and admitted into Tufts University, where he has committed to play football in 2016. Tyler’s story, however, is a bit different than his Red Raider teammates, as he attended MHS as a METCO student, earning outstanding grades while building a reputation as one of the fastest running backs in the division, not to mention a fearsome outdoor track star. The Boston resident has become a family member of sorts with the Brincheiro family of Melrose, whose son Will was a teammate of Jay’s. They have opened their home to Tyler over the last year to help ease transportation challenges during those long, late nights of football travel. Tyler credits his experience at MHS and the community, and in particular the instruction of his coaches. “I’m grateful, it was so worth it,” he says. “Our coaching staff expects the best. They have high expectations, especially in the classroom. I’m proud to have been part of the team and to be able to attend Tufts in the fall.”
Senior quarterback Julian Nyland needed only one year as Melrose quarterback to become one of the best, modern-day signal callers for MHS. In 2015 Nyland helped lead Melrose to their first undefeated 12-0 season and their second straight Div. 3 Super Bowl appearance. Scouts quickly found Nyland, whose throwing ability was equally as potent as his running skill, but it was Worcester Polytechnic Institute (W.P.I.) – ranked one of the Top 100 schools in the nation – which drew Nyland’s interest. In 2016 he will join the quarterback team for the Engineers, who advanced last season to the ECAC Presidents Bowl. According to Nyland, W.P.I. was his number one choice for school, given his plans to study Mechanical Engineering. The National Honor Society member was thrilled that the school’s football coach reached out to him and it was a perfect fit. “I did an overnight visit and just knew immediately that I wanted to go there and play ball.”
Senior captain Jaret Botelho was an All Star middle linebacker for the Red Raiders and a major playmaker for the Raiders, who relied on his strength for several, well executed goal line stands. After an exceptional 2015 season, he was recruited by Bridgewater State, a school he immediately felt welcome in, preferring both the size of the school and the campus over other institutions. There he will join former Red Raider QB Malik Garret (MHS 2013), who serves as running back/quarterback. Botelho, who plans to study Criminal Justice, credits Melrose football for instilling values. “Melrose football teaches the kind of moralsI know I’ll use in life and pass on to my own kids. It’s a great program.”
Christian Perkins, defensive tackle, will continue his education and football career at Becker College, where he is expected to take the role of defensive end for the Hawks. He too credits the MHS football program for their commitment to keeping players disciplined on and off the field. “Melrose football made me more disciplined. Our coaches pushed us to focus on grades and excel off the field as well as on the field.”
That sentiment is echoed by Alex Bookman, an offensive guard and defensive tackle for the Red Raiders. His work helped Melrose take games out of the hands of opponents who were seriously outscored by Melrose in 2015. Bookman was recruited to play at Fitchburg State and will study Criminal Justice. “The coach there called me and I took a tour, loved the campus and athletic facility.” He too appreciates what he learned under the guidance of Coach Morris and his coaching staff. “There are values you learn in this program that translate from football to the classroom. It’s a kind of great discipline.”
Coach Morris credits his seniors for helping Melrose earn back-to-back Super Bowl appearances during a historic run. “We are very proud of our kids; not just the guys that will continue to play ball but this whole outstanding team who accomplished a lot – back-to back Super Bowls and they won 12 games, the most ever.”
After four years of football, three Div. 3 Northwest titles, an M.L. league title, four straight Thanksgiving victories over Wakefield, an undefeated 12-0 season, two Div. 3 North titles and two Super Bowl appearances, there will never be a shortage of memories for these pigskin heroes to look back on. Personal favorite moments vary, but most of these players enjoyed the playoff victories that ensured them a spot at Gillette.
Says Botelho, “I remember playing against Danvers, the game that took us to the Super Bowl, and our team running off the field at halftime, and I raised my hands to the Melrose crowd to turn it up. And it just energized them and took the crowd’s nerves away.”
Jay Tyler recalls his 79 yard breakout touchdown during that Div. 3 North final game which gave Melrose a 10-7 edge over Danvers, swinging the game permanently in Melrose’s direction. “That was a personal highlight for sure,” he smiles.
Bookman and Perkins agree that the Div. 3 Northwest game against Concord-Carlisle at Fred Green Field stands out as a classic. “We were down 20-10 at the half,” recalls Perkins. “And came back to win.” Bookman adds, “I think we scored four straight touchdowns to win it.”
Julian Nyland recalled a wild moment in the 2015 Div. 3 Super Bowl when, as quarterback, he was thrown a toss from running back Mike Pedrini in a wildcat formation. Nyland carried the ball into the Gillette end zone for an 87 yard touchdown, making it a highlight reel moment that had television commentators glowing. “That was insane, pretty incredible” he laughed.
Morris salutes his team as they move on to the next stage of their lives. “This season they worked the right way, had fun and represented our team, school and city with class,” he says. “We’ll miss them but we’re looking forward to the 2016 season.”
As these football players say goodbye to 2015-16, they will soon create memories on different fields and in different uniforms but their high school moments won’t soon be forgotten. After all, as a unit, they’ve accomplished the kind of football most high school players dream of.
Nyland summed it up. “Football is all about team – you can’t compete out there on your own. It’s the greatest team sport there is.”
