THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 14, 2022 Page 13 GBL NOTEBOOK: Former MHS star Isaiah Likely gets 2022 NFL Combine invite after standout Coastal Carolina career Rated a top tight end heading to 2022 NFL draft; played three seasons at MHS, one at EHS; RHS swimmers off to impressive 4-2 start By Justin McAllister M alden High School may soon be able to say it has produced another NFL player if all goes as planned for Coastal Carolina senior tight end Isaiah Likely. The speedy, 6-4, 225, pass-catching machine, a former longtime Malden resident, now of Cambridge, has had an illustrious college career for the Coastal Chanticleers and just this week received an invitation to participate in the National Football League Combine. This year’s combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. from March 1-7. Likely had another year of eligibility at Coastal Carolina, despite being a senior, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which threw a monkey wrench into most college football programs over these past two seasons. Likely announced on his Twitter page last week (@DaGorilla4) that he was forgoing his final year of college football eligibility and was declaring for the NFL 2022 draft. In a statement on Twitter, he thanked his family, teammates and fans for their support. “I am excited for the road ahead and the challenges of attaining my ultimate goals in professional football,” Likely wrote in part. “I can’t wait for you all to be there with me for the ride.” He is projected as high as the second round in this year’s NFL Draft and possibly a late firstround pick, anywhere from 2940, in many mock drafts. If Likely, as expected, is drafted by the NFL and makes a roster for the 2022 NFL campaign, he would become the third Malden High player to move on the NFL in the past 28 years, and the first offensive skill player. Dan Jones, a 1988 Malden High graduate who played for the University of Maine, played three seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, from 1993-1995. A 6-7, 298 offensive tackle, he appeared in 35 NFL games for Cincinnati, starting five. Breno Giacomini, a 2005 Malden High School graduate, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. He went on to have the longest NFL career of any playFormer Malden High School football standout Isaiah Likely, who played five seasons of Pop Warner Football and then three Varsity seasons at Malden High School, has been invited to the 2022 NFL Combine. (Courtesy Photo) er in NFL history, playing two seasons with Green Bay (20082009), four with the Seattle Seahawks (2010-2013), including a 2014 Super Bowl win, three seasons with the New York Jets (2014-2016) and one year with the Houston Texans, in 2017, before retiring after a 10-year career. Likely is projecting to be the highest-drafted player in Malden High history, as well. The second-team All-American grew up in Malden and played eight seasons in Malden, five with Malden Pop Warner football from 2008-2013. Likely then played three seasons at Malden High School, from 20142016, catching over 900 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns for the Golden Tornados in 2016, earning Greater Boston League All-Star honors for the second straight year. In 2015, Likely played a key role in Malden’s 22-19 victory over Everett which gave Head Coach Joe Pappagallo’s Golden Tornadoes team its first GBL Championship in 27 years. At Malden High, Coach Pappagallo – and for his final season, Malden Head Coach Bill Manchester – and their staffs worked dil~ Legal Notice ~ Notice of Funding Availability, Public Hearings and Public Comment Period for CDBG and HOME Program Year 2022 (City Fiscal Year 2023) Funding and Annual Action Plan The City of Malden will conduct public hearings regarding the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the North Suburban Consortium (NSC)’s Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program Year 2022 (City Fiscal Year 2023) funding. The City’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) administers both programs, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The NSC’s HOME program covers the communities of Arlington, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Revere and Winthrop. The City has established a schedule for Program Year 2022, including dates for CDBG applications, public hearings/ community meetings, and the Annual Action Plan. While CDBG applications have set deadlines, HOME applications are rolling throughout the year. January 19, 2022: CDBG Applications Available, online at cityofmalden.org. January 26, 2022: Community Meeting #1, at 6:00pm via Zoom. The meeting includes an overview of the programs and public input on community needs, including priorities for housing, addressing homelessness, neighborhood preservation and revitalization, and economic empowerment. February 1, 2022: CDBG Application Technical Support, at 6:00pm via Zoom. This meeting is for potential CDBG applicants to seek and receive assistance in completing their CDBG applications. February 21, 2022: CDBG Applications Due by 5:00pm to mtaylor@cityofmalden.org. March 15, 2022: Public Comment Period Begins. The draft Annual Action Plan, including the CDBG and HOME budgets, will be available for review and public comment at cityofmalden.org from March 15 to April 15. Comments may be emailed to apratt@cityofmalden.org or sent in writing to OSPCD, 215 Pleasant Street, Third Floor, Malden, MA 02148, Attn: Alex Pratt. March 23, 2022: Community Meeting #2, at 6:00pm via Zoom. The public meeting includes discussion of and public feedback on the draft Annual Action Plan, including the CDBG and HOME budgets. April 15, 2022: Public Comment Period Ends. May 15, 2022: Annual Action Plan Submitted to HUD. The Annual Action Plan must be approved by the City Council and submitted to HUD no later than May 15. July 1, 2022: Program Year 2022 Begins. Zoom information will be available on cityofmalden.org in advance of the community meetings. For more information contact Community Development Director Alex Pratt at apratt@cityofmalden.org. igently to increase Likely’s exposure and help turn the college recruiting spotlight his way. Likely also played one season at Everett High School, for the 2017 season. At the 2022 NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Likely and the other select invitees will get to showcase their skills in front of hundreds of coaches and scouts with hopes of making it to the league. Likely leaves Coastal Carolina ranked first all-time among CCU tight ends in receptions, SPORTS | SEE PAGE 15 January 14, 2022
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