Governor's Teams
Athletics at The Governor’s Academy is about outstanding performance- as our championship titles, college NCAA scholarship players, and world competitors will attest- but it is also about character.
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Team Profile
Football - Boys Varsity
ISL Championships: 2022, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
New England Championships:
2011 Jack Etter Bowl Champions - Undefeated Season
2012 Tom Flaherty Bowl Champions - Undefeated Season
2013 Kevin Fleming Bowl Champions
2014 Wayne Sanborn Bowl Finalist
2019 Todd Marble Bowl Finalist
2022 Kevin Driscoll Bowl Finalist
Grounded in a tradition of excellence and school pride, The Governor’s Academy’s football program is a vital component of community life and school culture. Team goals include getting better with every practice, developing a bond of brotherhood off the field, and building on the success of the previous year. Emphasis is placed on hard work and discipline and is balanced with fun and camaraderie. About sixty-five student-athletes compete on the varsity and junior varsity teams each fall, and the coaching staff is committed to providing high-quality, individualized instruction appropriate to each player’s experience, ability, and aspirations. The football program is a firm believer in the multi-sport model, understanding that commitment and dedication in one sport makes an athlete better prepared for their next athletic endeavor and future challenge.
Located in the heart of campus, the Sager Bowl provides an outstanding venue for competition and school spirit. The Alfond Class of ‘67 Turf and Pescosolido Field House provide training spaces during inclement weather. Held every October, Cardinal & White Day is a pinnacle moment of the fall semester and of the entire school year as over 100 Govs alumni, family members, and friends pack the Sager Bowl sideline in support.
Govs plays a challenging eight-game schedule in the very competitive Independent School League (ISL). Annual games against North Shore rival Brooks School and Boston-area Belmont Hill are highlights of every season. In addition to playing with heart and hustle, the team’s goal every season is to make it to the postseason. Practices begin at 3:45 p.m. and finish around 5:15 p.m. and are often supplemented with team lifts, recovery and mobility sessions, scouting reports, and film break down.
In recent years, student-athletes have continued their football career at top-tiered Division I, II, and III programs including Boston College, Bryant University, Middlebury College, Syracuse University, Stonehill College, and University of Michigan.
For more information, please reach out to Head Coach Jim O'Leary
Alumni in Action:
Xavier Copeland ‘23 - Bryant University
Matt Shaw ‘23 - Middlebury College
Zach Spataro ‘23 - Hobart and William Smith College
Holden Symonds ‘23 - Boston College
Peyton O’Leary ‘21 - University of Michigan
Ryan Barrett ‘20 - St. Lawrence University
Ty Belville ‘20 - Denison University
Drew Chase ‘20 - St. Lawrence University
Gardner Cousins ‘20 - Stonehill College
Kevin Lemieux ‘20 - Syracuse University
Cam Macro ‘20 - Stonehill College
Sean Ryan ‘20 - Trinity College
Patrick Flaherty ‘19 - Boston College
Quin Stott ‘19 - Boston College
Jos Cremers ‘19 - Hobart & William Smith College
Coaches
Coach Profiles
Head Coach: Jim O’Leary
A graduate of Northeastern University, Jim O’Leary – or Coach O – was a three-year starting quarterback for the Huskies. In his sophomore year, he set a new school record for single-season rushing and was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player. O’Leary began his football coaching career over thirty years ago at Lynnfield High School. He joined Govs in 2010 as an assistant coach and was promoted to head coach a year later. Govs has won four ISL championships and three New England Bowl Championships under his leadership. He takes pride in Governor’s rich history and commitment to character development and competitive football.
Assistant Coach: Andrew DeSalvo
An All-NESCAC football honoree and three-year starter at Williams College, Andrew DeSalvo believes the lessons learned in athletics reinforce and, at times, transcend what can be taught in the classroom. After playing defensive tackle and throwing shotput at Williams, DeSalvo was drawn to a career in education by family members working in the boarding school world. A North Shore native, he spent five years teaching at Salisbury School before returning to the area in 2013. In his role as football and track coach, DeSalvo appreciates the opportunity to develop student-athletes through sports that have meant so much to him. Off campus, he appreciates spending time at the beach with family and friends.
Game Schedule
Football - Boys Varsity
Game Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time | Location | Details | Result | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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vs.
St. Sebastian's School
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Details about Football - Boys Varsity | Loss | 7-35 | ||
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vs.
Brooks School
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Brooks School | Details about Football - Boys Varsity | Win | 37-13 | |
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vs.
Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
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Details about Football - Boys Varsity | Loss | 27-43 | ||
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vs.
Milton Academy
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Milton Academy | Details about Football - Boys Varsity | Loss | 20-41 | |
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vs.
Middlesex School
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Details about Football - Boys Varsity | Win | 43-0 | ||
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vs.
Thayer Academy
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Thayer Academy | Details about Football - Boys Varsity | Win | 38-17 | |
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vs.
Lawrence Academy
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Lawrence Academy | Details about Football - Boys Varsity | Win | 33-22 | |
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vs.
Belmont Hill School
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Details about Football - Boys Varsity | Loss | 21-41 |