![The Wayland residents who volunteer to coach baseball try to make the environment fun and uplifting for players. “[I try] to build the kids up,” Co-Commissioner and coach for a Minors team Alex Ahmed said. “If someone strikes out, you encourage them, [and] say that [they] get another chance, [or they] could try again next time.”](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/unnamed-1200x801.png)
![On Thursday Oct. 10, football will face rival Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, aiming to improve their record to 4-1. “[LSRHS] has gotten the best of us over the last couple of years,” Parseghian said. “I feel that this team is willing to correct the last couple of years and, and get a [win]. I want to win a football game.”](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-08-at-12.53.35 PM-1200x801.png)
![A Wayland football player carries the football down the field. “We've cruised through the first three games,” head coach Scott Parseghian said. “[It’s a] combination of us being a good team and also the competition may not be as great as I had hoped.”](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_8114-1200x800.jpg)
The New England Patriots is a storied franchise renowned for its success and fantastic performance over the 2000s up until when former quarterback Tom Brady left New England in 2020. They entered the 2024 National Football League (NFL) season with high expectations and a sense of renewal. After a period of rebuilding, the Patriots aim to have a fresh start under their new head coach Jerod Mayo. This has started well with their 16-10 upset win over the Bengals.
Last year, the New England Patriots had an unsuccessful season. Their overall record was 4-13. This landed them with the third pick in the 2024 NFL draft. With this pick, they chose Drake Maye, a quarterback from the University of North Carolina. During the offseason, the Patriots made a move to pick up Jacoby Brissett, an ex-Patriot veteran quarterback that Maye could learn from. Throughout the offseason, Maye was very transparent with the media, stating that Brissett would be the starter to begin the 2024 season, and would not start until the coaching staff feels that he is ready.
The Patriots’ 2024 schedule starts off difficult. In Week 2, the Patriots faced the Seattle Seahawks at home. The game went into overtime where the Patriots lost due to a field goal made by Seahawks kicker, Jason Meyers. The Patriots will travel to New York to play the Jets. The Jets have a very strong defensive front. This will be a tough matchup for a struggling Patriots offense.
Between the Jets elite defense and strong offense, the Patriots will face yet another strong opponent. On the road again, the Patriots will face the former National Football Conference Champions (NFC), the San Francisco 49ers away in San Francisco.
The Patriots toughest opponents through their 2024 campaign will most likely be the Houston Texans at home in Week 6, the 49ers away in Week 4 and the Buffalo Bills in Week 16. Their games that they have the best chance of winning will most likely be against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16, Chicago Bears in Week 10 and the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17. Prediction: the Patriots to have a seven win and 10 loss season.
Compared to their 2023 season, this is a great step forward for the Patriots. Maye was a great selection for the Patriots’ new head coach. Maye will probably take over as the starting quarterback by Week 12. Unfortunately for Brissett, he is past his prime and the Patriots are in need of a new face of their franchise. Mediocrity and the New England Patriots don’t mix together well for their diehard fans. They need a fresh start with a new head coach and a new quarterback. Maye is the answer to the Patriots’ questions.
