Patriots reach out to high school football teams

The New England Patriots said they are launching a new website that aims to celebrate the exploits of the more than 640 high school football teams in New England.

The website, at www.newenglandfootball.com, is part of the Patriots' effort to expand their football community outreach, the team said.

Plans call for NewEnglandFootball.com to be part of what's accessible on touch-screen kiosks at the New England Football exhibit at the Hall at Patriot Place, a shopping mall complex next to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, the team said.

So fans coming to Gillette Stadium to see Tom Brady (right) play might also be able to check out the football history of their favorite local high school team if they visit the Hall at Patriot Place next door.

Once a high school registers with NewEnglandFootball.com, it will be provided with its own password-protected page, and it can then create content with the ability to upload photos, records, and event information of interest to fans, the Patriots said.

On its special page, a high school team could post a big event, such as the team retiring a player's jersey, something that happened to local pigskin icon Doug Flutie. (left)

"We think it will be a great resource for high school football fans and a way for schools to share the histories of their programs," Bryan Morry, executive director of the Hall at Patriot Place, said in a statement.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)