The Revere Junior Patriots football and cheerleading teams will head to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro Saturday for a series of exhibition games against the Brookline/Jamaica Plain Patriots.
Everyone in the organization – from Revere Pop Warner president Paul Belschner to ‘A’ team running back Steve Noel – is looking forward to competing at the home of the New England Patriots.
“We’re all very excited,†said Belschner. “It’s a good opportunity for the kids and a good chance for the program to put a good light on things. I want to see our players and cheerleaders have a good time at Gillette where Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski and some of their other favorite players compete in the NFL.â€
Belschner said that ‘A’ team head coach Eddie Sullivan, was instrumental in arranging the exhibition games at Gillette.
“Eddie used his connections in the Pop Warner community and with the Brookline program to make this happen,†said Belschner.
Sullivan, who has high hopes for his ‘A’ team this season, said New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is a strong supporter of the Brookline team.
“We’ve been battling on the field with Brookline the past few years in the Eastern Mass. finals and for a trip to Florida,†said Sullivan. “Our ‘B’ team lost to Brookline in the finals last year and they went on to Florida [for the National Pop Warner Super Bowl].â€
Sullivan, a former semi-professional football player, said his players are excited about the opportunity to play Brookline at Gillette Stadium.
“The kids are very excited about this scrimmage in Foxboro,†said Sullivan, whose teams have a 23-1 record over the past three years. “My son [‘A’ team quarterback Eddie Sullivan Jr.] was jumping for joy the day I got the phone call that we’d be playing at Gillette.â€
Noel, a standout performer for the Eastern Mass. finalist ‘B’ team last season, talked about this weekend’s trip to Foxboro during a break in practice at the field located behind Revere High School.
“I’m really excited and I’m looking forward to it,†said Noel, who has moved up to the ‘A’ team this season. “I was just watching the Patriots on TV and I thought to myself, I wish I could play there.’’
Fundraiser set for Aug. 31
Revere Pop Warner will hold a fundraiser on Friday, Aug. 31 at Margarita’s in Revere beginning at 4 p.m.
Revere Pop Warner will receive 5 percent of the total lounge sales.
There will be music, games, and good company.