FALL RIVER — The Herald News takes a look at some of the greats in the Greater Fall River area who ever played sports during the fall season as part of a summer series.
These athletes, who graced the fields, terrains, indoor and outdoor settings, go back as far as the late 1940s. Now is your chance to cast your vote on our version of Mount Rushmore fall’s greatest ever. This poll includes golf.
Supporters of the schools and athletes can visit heraldnews.com to vote for the athlete of their choosing. Voting will conclude Aug. 11 with the winner announced on heraldnews.com or X (formerly known as Twitter).
Don’t wait, vote now and often for your favorite choice.
(If you have a suggestion, email Steven Sanchez at ssanchez@heraldnews.com)
VOTE: Who is the greatest high school field hockey player to come out of the Fall River area?
SELECT: Who is the greatest high school girls soccer player to come out of the Fall River area?
YOU DECIDE: Who is the greatest high school boys soccer player to come out of the Fall River area?
PICK: Who is the greatest high school football player to come out of the Fall River area?
YOU CAN VOTE HERE
Golf
Brent Amaral, Durfee High School
Amaral (Class of 2000) was the Hilltoppers No. 1 golfer in his last three years. He had a stroke average of about 37 and shot a 33 several times. Amaral, who is the head professional at the Acoaxet Club in Westport, had strong showings in the South Sectionals and twice qualified for the state championships.
Brandon Bouchard, Durfee High School
Bouchard (Class of 1991) was part of Durfee’s 1-2 punch in the 1990s. His scoring average — freshman through senior years — was 39, 38, 37.6, 37. Bouchard, who had a career-best 33 against Bishop Connolly, took first at the South Shore/Cape Cod sectional state qualifier with 2-over-par 73 at Norton County Club. He finished third at the sectionals with a 74 at New Seabury and placed 14th at states.
Drew Chapman, Somerset High School
Chapman (Class of 1980) was the number one golfer at Somerset during his high school career. In two seasons together, Chapman and Dan Salmon III never lost a match. Chapman moved on to play Division I golf at Bryant, playing in the number two spot behind All American and future PGA Tour player Jimmy Hallet. A member of the PGA of America, he is also the head golf professional at Highland Country Club in Attleboro for 31 years as well as employed by MassGolf for the last four years.
Ricky Coleman, Durfee High School
Coleman (Class of 1983) was one of the area’s top putters for the Hilltoppers during his high school days. His strokes averages hovered around the mid-to-upper 30s. Coleman was a four-year varsity player and played a critical role on Durfee’s 1982 team that punched their ticket in the state tournament.
A.J. Guidotti, Somerset Berkley Regional
As a sophomore, Guidotti shot a 1-under-par 71 at Glen Ellen Country Club to win the Division 2 state championship in 2014. He was a solid golfer throughout his career for the Raiders.
Jim McDermott, Somerset High School
McDermott (Class of 1975) never lost a high school match in his three years with the Raiders. He helped lead Somerset to league championships in his junior and senior seasons. McDermott went to UMass-Amherst where he twice qualified individually for the NCAA 1 championships and was an honorable mention All-American. He won at the Mass. Amateur in 1980, 1984 and 1989.
Lowell Metivier, Bishop Connolly
Metivier (Class of 1992) was the Cougars best player during his junior and senior seasons. He qualified for states as an individual in his junior year and then led the team there during his senior season. Metivier, who is the assistant pro at the Acoaxet Club in Westport, made two visits to the state championship.
Dan Salmon III, Somerset High School
Salmon III (Class of 1980) posted a 34-8-6 match record from the No. 2 sport during his four seasons with the Raiders. He also played No. 1 for over 30 matches, had a low round against Connolly of 31 and broke par in seven matches (all wins). The SBR golfer helped Somerset to league title, placed second in the South Sectional/Cape Cod & Islands individual championship and earned a spot in the state individual championship. Salmon went on to play Division I golf at the University of Connecticut in the number one spot.
Paul Saunders, Durfee High School
Saunders (Class of 1982) had a brilliant record of 54-13-5 in match play over his career with the Hilltoppers. He was a four-year starter and played in the state finals in 1980 and 1981. Saunders placed third place individually, leading Durfee to the Division 1 South crown in 1982.
Pat Shaw, Durfee High School
Shaw (Class of 1981) won the Montaup Country Club championship after his sophomore year in high school. The Hilltopper golfer shot a third-place 74 in sectionals his senior year to qualify for the state championship. He went on to play No. 1 at Bowling Green University along with playing on several pro tours.
Doug Smith, Durfee High School
Smith (Class of 1991) helped the Hilltoppers to a 15-1 record during his senior year. Durfee also captured the Southeastern Massachusetts Conference Division 1 championship and placed third in the state. Smith, a four-time team MVP/co-MVP, shot a first-place 71 in the 1990 state team tournament and qualified for the state individual tournament three times.
Write-in
John Coleman, Durfee High School
Donald Daley, Bishop Connolly
Nick Jagoe, Westport High School
Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at…
