HISTORY

Girard and Skinner were instrumental in finding a sponsor, Captain John’s of Lowell, thanks to proprietor Nick Kozombolis. As well as appointing a new head coach, Al Pare. Pare was coming from a coaching stint at Lowell High School and was a highly respected coach in the area. He added to his staff offensive coordinator Randy Witts, as well as defensive coordinator Robert Fitzmaurice. Included in the staff was quarterbacks coach Billy Rizos, who set a handful of records at the University of Massachusetts - Lowell.

The next step was acquiring a field to play at, and with the help of Bernie Judge, Skinner and Girard were able to obtain historical Cawley stadium. With all the pieces in place all that was left was to field a team.

Al Pare, drawing on his pool of former players from Lowell High, and with the help of Al Gendron, began to piece together a team of players that played their high school football in the Merrimack Valley, with many who went on to play at various colleges and now lived back in the area, and had plenty more football left in them. The Nor’easter were now officially a new team in the NEFL.

In their first year, the Nor’easter had one regular season tie, won the Northern Division of the NEFL, and went on to defeat the Tri-boro Rhinos, 13 – 6, for the NEFL Championship. They weren’t done there as they defeated the Maine State Football League champion, the Central Maine Storm, in the first round of the N.A.F.A. playoffs. The next game in this regional playoff, the Harvest Bowl, was for the championship against the New York Football League champions, the Irondequoit Sting. Lowell hosted the game and went on to beat the Sting, 13 – 6, and become the second annual N.A.F.A. AA National Champions, capping their first season at an impressive 14-0-1.

The Nor’easter would continue their winning ways in their second season, adding more accomplished players to their roster and strengthening an already impressive team, on their way to another undefeated season at 12-0. Also, winning their second consecutive NEFL title and Harvest Bowl Championship, against the Massachusetts Havoc, 41 – 21, and the Buffalo Gladiators, 20 – 6, respectively. This would conclude Al Pare’s reign as head coach, as he stepped aside at the end of the season and Robert Fitzmaurice would take over for the next four seasons as the head coach.

The Nor’easter made their mark in NEFL history by piling up an undefeated streak of 34 games before their first loss came in the eighth game of their third season against the Eastern Massachusetts Mavericks. The Nor’easter would avenge this loss and beat the Mavericks in the NEFL playoffs, 38 – 31, on their way to a third consecutive NEFL title over the Tri-boro Rhinos, 34 - 0. As well as, defeating the Mavericks in the Harvest Bowl tournament, 35-0. Unfortunately, the Nor’easter would lose in the championship of the Harvest Bowl to the Buffalo Gladiators, 35 – 21, out of the New York Amateur Football League. From 2000 - 2003 Coach Robert "Fitzy" Fitzmaurice led the team to combined record of 50 wins and 9 losses over the 4 year span. The team racked up 2 More NEFL Championships and also a Harverst Bowl title with a win over the Brooklyn Mariners in Rome NY. Coach Fitz retired from coaching the team after the 2003 season.

In 2004, retired Nor'easter player, Mike Power took over the coaching vacancy left by Coach Fitz. Power brought on additional support staff including assistant coaches Tim Wilson, Al Gendron and Joe Novello. Surrounded by an all star cast of players led by Captains QB John Speidel & LB Patrick Graham, the team went on to achieve an impressive record of 14 wins 1 loss and picking up another NEFL Championship along the way by defeating the Leominster Razorbacks 50-0. The Nor'easter would continue on in post season Harvest Bowl Tournament play. Along the way they defeated the Long Island Seahawks 40-7 and the Western Mass Blitzen Bears 29-14. The team eventually lost in the Harvest Bowl Championship game 17-14 to the Brookyln Mariners. At the end of the 2004 season, Coach Power would hand command of the team over to Tim Wilson.

During the 2005 and 2006 seasons, Head Coach Tim Wilson led the team to a combined record of 19-5. The team appeared in the NEFL Championship game both seasons. Both games were against the Boston Bandits and the final scores were 16-7 in 2005 and 17-16 in 2006. At the end of 2006 Coach Wilson passed the coaching reigns over to Offensive Lineman Eric Smith.

Coaching and playing for the team over the next three season (2007-2009) Coach Eric "Smitty" Smith led the team to a combined recod of 34 wins and 8 losses. The team reached the NEFL Title game in all three seasons he coached, dropping the first two title matchups to semi-pro football powerhouse the Middleboro Cobras. In 2009 the team played inspired football after the passing of long time assistant coach Al Gendron and a very well liked kicker with a promising future, #87 - Julio Faria. The '09 team, led by coaches Smith and assistand Head Coach Bob Bost, racked up a regular season record of 9-1. In the post season, they swept the NEFL playoffs with three straight wins over the Worcester Wildcats(40-6), Ocean State Vipers (17-13), and defeated the Connecticut Bearcats (28-20) in the NEFL Championship game. The Championship game was also broadcasted live over the internet for the first time in league history! After the team completed the NEFL season, they continued on in non league post season tournament play. In the Harvest Bowl Championship game, the Nor'easter went on to defeat the defending National Champs the Albany Metro Mallers 31-12. As a result of their outstanding season, the Nor'easter have been invited to travel down to Deland Florida on January 16th and play for the semi-pro football national championship.

The Nor’easter continue to be comprised of many former Merrimack Valley high school all stars, as well as, college all stars that want to continue playing a high level of football for the love of the game.