THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 28, 2026 Page 11 It was a super start for Malden High School Fall Sports preseason this week Golden Tornado teams go through preseason paces; Opening Day for all teams is right around the corner Boys Soccer Head Coach Jeremiah Smith talks to the team during a drill session at preseason tryouts at Pine Banks. (Advocate Photo) By Steve Freker I t was “Back to School” this week and included in the same time frame this year was the start of Fall Sports tryouts and preseason practices for Malden High School athletics. Malden High School joined the over 350 other high schools in Massachusetts, from Springfield to Newburyport and all points in between, which kicked off Fall Sports season this week. The Malden Public Schools also started classes for all students in Grades 1-12. Some other schools in Mass. also started this week, while many begin classes next week or after Labor Day. It is certainly a busy time of It’s preseason number six for Malden High Football Head Coach Witche Exilhomme, who lead a drill at Macdonald Stadium on Tuesday. (Advocate Photo) year for everyone involved, but it is mixed with the dual excitement — tinged with a bit of apprehension — that comes with the start of both school classes and the Malden Golden Tornado sports programs. Malden High School’s Charlie Conefrey has known the feeling on all levels — as a Hall of Fame student-athlete in the 1990s, a coach in the 2000s and now in his 12th year as Director of Athletics/Physical & Health Education, PreK-12. “It was an excellent start to the preseason, with both numbers of student-athletes who have come out for the teams and atmosphere around the athletic program,” Conefrey said. “We have close to 300 student-athletes who started the preseason this week, and there’s a lot of excitement around the teams, which is always great to see.” Conefrey said most of the teams are reporting increased tryout numbers so far, a trend in the Fall Sports teams overall. Conefrey said even more student-athletes will be joining the ranks after school opened this week on Wednesday, August 27. “Usually a number of ninth-graders join the teams after school starts and there is still plenty of time to join our teams, especially those freshmen looking to try out or sign up.” SPORTS | SEE PAGE 14
12 Publizr Home