< Back to front page Text size +

Gatorade P.O.Y.

Posted by Chris Forsberg, Boston.com Staff  November 30, 2007 11:06 AM
  • E-mail
  • E-mail this article

    Invalid E-mail address
    Invalid E-mail address

    Sending your article

    Your article has been sent.

E-mail this article

Invalid email address
Invalid email address

Sending your article

Your article has been sent.

Holliston's Matt Bellomo hauled in Gatorade's Massachusetts Player of the Year honor for the 2007 football season. Here's a bit more info from a release:

RISE selects Holliston High School standout as Gatorade Massachusetts Football Player of the Year.

In its third decade of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, Gatorade joined with RISE Magazine to name senior running back/defensive back Matt Bellomo of Hollistion High as its 2007-08 Massachusetts Football Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Bellomo gained 1,725 yards and scored 16 rushing touchdowns, averaging 8.4 yards per carry. On defense, Bellomo recorded 42 solo tackles and made six interceptions. He added another 628 yards in receiving and return totals, finishing with 2,353 all-purpose yards and averaging 10.1 yards per touch.

Bellomo has maintained a 3.26 GPA in the classroom and is an active participant in multiple community-service initiatives, donating his time to his St. Mary’s Church group, serving as a coach at an area youth sports camp and volunteering for the local chapter of Best Buddies International, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.

“He does everything a million miles an hour,” said Holliston head coach Todd Kiley. “He’s so versatile. I can put him anywhere; even his pass-protection is the best on the team. He’s got incredible hands. He’s the Tri-Valley League MVP. I can’t imagine I’ll every have another kid like him.”

Bellomo remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.

Analysis: When we saw Holliston in the preseason, we walked away most impressed with Bellomo. That's not a slight on Division 1 recruits Mike Stone (Boston College) and Matt Edwards (UConn), we were simply wowed by Bellomo's speed and athleticism. Even in a practice setting, he seemed like the most fundamentally sound player on the field. Here's hoping the award casts a little more spotlight on Bellomo, who might not be the most talented all-around running back in the state, but certainly one deserving of some more college looks.


  • E-mail
  • E-mail this article

    Invalid E-mail address
    Invalid E-mail address

    Sending your article

    Your article has been sent.

Several reporters and editors contribute updates, news and analysis to the High School Sports Blog.

  • Bob Holmes: A Reading resident (Go Rockets!) and Boston College graduate, Holmes is the Boston Globe High School Sports Editor. We remind you now that his weekly picks are often made in jest so everyone just calm down when he picks against Everett for 11 straight weeks. Contact him at rholmes@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeHolmes.
  • Craig Larson: A native of West Springfield (Leo Durocher anyone? Tim Daggett?) and Curry College graduate (a proud Colonel!), Larson is the sports editor for the Globe's regional sections: South, West and North, as well as a frequent contributor on the college beat. Abington to Xaverian: it all starts with the schools. Have a compelling story idea? Contact him at clarson@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeLars.
  • Zuri Berry: Berry attended the same high school as sports legends O.J. Simpson and Joe DiMaggio. (Guess which one is his hero.) He's a South Boston resident (formerly of Eastie) and the editor of the High School Sports blog as well as the go-to-guy for everything high school sports on Boston.com. Contact him at zberry@boston.com and follow him on Twitter @ZuriBerry for all of the latest updates.

Also expect updates from correspondents Seth Lakso (boys basketball), Hannah Becker (girls basketball), Craig Forde (boys hockey), Liz Torres (girls hockey), Ryan Mooney and a host of others. To reach the high school sports correspondents and Globe editors, e-mail hssports@globe.com.


H.S. Sports Twitter

    Waiting for Twitter...
archives