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The 6th and 8th grade Massachusetts Elite football teams won their way into the Elite 8 of the FBU National Championship. The concluding rounds of the tournament will take place in Naples, FL beginning on Friday, December 16. Both teams competed in and won their super regional bracket games, which were held in Newport, RI December 2-4.
Four members of the Dover-Sherborn Westwood Patriots are playing for Team Massachusetts: Mekhi Robinson, Matt Vande Rydt, Griffin Rossbottom, and Dover’s Aidan Gibbons.
(L-R) DSW’s Mekhi Robinson, Matt Vande Rydt, Griffin Rossbottom, and Dover’s Aidan Gibbons.
“We are very proud of our teams,” said Mass Elite Founder and 6th grade head coach PJ Vande Rydt. “Our players have worked very hard to get to this point. We have 65 young men from 35 cities and towns across Massachusetts and represent a true cross section of football leagues and school programs. Massachusetts Elite does not turn any player away due to inability to pay, and because of that, we need to raise $30,000 to complete travel arrangements and give all of our players the opportunity to represent Massachusetts.”
Massachusetts Elite Football has a long history of success, with teams previously competing in the National Championship Final Four in San Antonio, Texas. The program also boasts several alumni currently playing or headed to Penn State, Northwestern, UCLA, Boston College and other Division 1 football programs.
This is a tremendous accomplishment for these boys and for football in the state of Massachusetts; the program shows colleges from around the country that the talent is as good in Massachusetts as it is in the southern states.
Opening games will be held Saturday, December 17. The 6th grade will compete in their quarter-final matchup against Dallas Metro (Texas) while the 8th grade will take on Kentucky.
To donate to the team, visit the Massachusetts Elite Go Fund Me page at www.gofundme.com/mefnaples. Alternatively, checks may be mailed to Mass Elite Football, 56 Farm Lane, Westwood, MA 020290, Attn: PJ Vande Rydt.
Monies raised will go toward defraying the costs associated with travel, food and lodging for the players.
