New Bedford High School Gridiron Hall of Fame inducts its Class of 2023

The New Bedford High Gridiron Hall of Fame inducted its 2023 class on Tuesday night during a ceremony at the Century House in Acushnet.

Here’s a look at the seven inductees (in alphabetical order), with information provided by the hall of fame:

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Ryan Debrosse, 2000

Debrosse played football for New Bedford High School from 1996-99. As a sophomore in 1997, he got his first chance to play varsity as a Whaler in the Durfee game and then went on to start in the 1997 High School Super Bowl against St. John’s Prep. Debrosse played as an offensive and defensive line starter and earned all Bristol County honors in 1999. He also played baseball for NBHS. As a senior football player, Debrosse was awarded both the Thomas Eck and the Eddie Caron Memorial scholarship awards for his efforts on the gridiron. He went on to play football for UMass Dartmouth. Debrosse later coached three years for the NBHS Whaler Youth Program with his brother and NBHS football Gridiron Hall of Fame member, Randy Debrosse. Ryan now works as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, following in the footsteps of his father. He has one child with his girlfriend, Melissa, and one on the way due in March of 2024.

Joe “Joey D” DeMedeiros, 1988

DeMedeiros was an outstanding baseball and football player at New Bedford High School in the late 1980s. He was a three-year varsity football starter who played slotback and strong safety for coach Joe Wirth and was a tri-captain his senior year. He was an all-SMC All-Star in 1986 and 1987 and Standard-Times Honorable Mention All-Star. One of DeMedeiros’ most exciting experiences playing football for the Whalers was beating Durfee 28-6 during his senior year. He was the NBHS President of his Senior Class, on the Student Advisory Committee and recipient of a Gridiron Club Academic Award Scholarship. DeMedeiros graduated Cum Laude and was a National Honor Society Member. After high school, DeMedeiros received a full college scholarship to Wesleyan University as a result of his success both on the field and in the classroom. He played strictly defense for Wesleyan and finished with 109 tackles, seven pass break-ups, six fumble recoveries and four interceptions. He has been elected to Wesleyan’s All-Decade team of the 1990s. DeMedeiros then coached for 13 years as an assistant football coach there and was Senior Associate Director of University Relations in the Alumni Office. DeMedeiros is currently the Vice President for University Advancement at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. He is married to his wife, Sharla, and they have two children, Walker and Liliana.

Joe Guisti, 1933

Guisti was an outstanding offensive and defensive tackle on a two-year undefeated team in 1931-32. In addition to making the All-State Team his senior year, he was a two-year All-Bristol County Team as well. He was elected captain his senior year and led the way blocking for the great Clary Haskell and Ernie Torres. Both of these NBHS Gridiron Club Hall of Famers praised Guisti and said he was the best linemen they ever played with. Guisti was on the playing field during New Bedford’s 1932 game against Quincy High School when NBH coach James Murphy died of a heart attack. Murphy was instrumental in the formation of the semi-pro Murphy Football Club team. Guisti was a great friend to his teammates as well as classmates and is fondly remembered for organizing exhibition games for various local charities during the Depression years, including a memorable New Bedford vs. Brockton event. Guisti was born in New Bedford and lived his life there, becoming the president and CEO of the Guisti Baking Company. Upon retiring, he sold the business to Nissen Bakeries and spent many years with his wife, Vera, in retirement splitting his time between South Dartmouth and Florida. He was a member of the Rotary Club and Wamsutta Club, and an avid golfer at the Allendale Country Club. Guisti died in 2012 at the age of 96.

Mark Lebouef, 1989

LeBoeuf was a strong all-around athlete who played football and baseball and ran track for New Bedford High School. He was part of the 1985 Super Bowl team. LeBoeuf was known for having great hands as a wide receiver for the Whalers and caught 78 passes during his career from 1985-88. He was first team All-Southeastern Mass Conference and was named captain his senior year. For his efforts, LeBoeuf earned several awards, including the Thomas Eck Memorial Award, the Dr. Duncan MacDonald Award for Most Outstanding Offensive Player, the Wayne Souza Memorial Scholastic Trophy and a NBHS Gridiron Club Academic Award. After high school, LeBoeuf attended UMass Lowell, where he started as a wide receiver for three years and was on the 1991 team that played in the NCAA Playoff Tournament. He is one of the top 10 receivers in total career receptions in UMass Lowell’s history. He received his undergraduate and physical therapy graduate degrees while there. LeBoeuf currently works at Hawthorn Medical Associates and is married to his wife, Bethany. They have two children, Matthew and Nathan.

Robb O’Berry, 1982

The story about the life and football career of Robb O’Berry is nothing short of amazing. O’Berry was actually born crippled, and had multiple surgeries and leg breaks to reset his bones prior to grade school. Most doctors told him he likely would never be able to walk normally. Through his will and determination, O’Berry not only walked properly again, but played pee-wee and midget football as a youth and later starred as a quarterback at New Bedford High School from 1979-1982. Among O’Berry’s achievements as a Whaler include throwing 11 touchdown passes his sophomore and senior years and earning Standard-Times All-Scholastic honors his senior year. O’Berry often told his family that his most memorable and exciting experiences playing at NBHS were playing with his friends that he grew up with. Coach Lee Harriman had a “special impact” on Robb’s life and was very influential with his success at New Bedford High. After high school, O’Berry began working with his brothers and was a self-employed contractor and small business owner. He solely raised his sons, Dylan and Jordan, and they were the lights of his life. He died in 2016.

Andrew Rebello, 2006

Rebello ran track, played basketball and was an outstanding quarterback at New Bedford High School. He was a captain his senior year and was on the All-Bristol County Team his junior and senior years. He was the Standard-Times Player of the Week five times during his high school career. His most memorable experience was the comeback victory over Durfee High School in 2004 (also known as the “Mud Bowl”) with his team trailing 13-0, he led the comeback by running for two touchdowns and throwing for a 2-point conversion to win the game. As a senior, Rebello was named the Paul F, Walsh Player of the Year and received the James Murphy Memorial Award. After high school, he played football for Merrimack College and was on the NCAA Division 2 Football Conference Championship teams in 2006 and 2009. He played cornerback and strong safety and had over 100 tackles and four career interceptions. He graduated in 2010 and later coached New Bedford High in 2012-13. Rebello is now the Assistant Superintendent and Principal of the Diman Regional High School. He is married to his wife, Jamie, and they have a daughter, Sienna.

Amilton “AJ” Tavares, 2004

Tavares Jr. was a three-sport star at New Bedford High, playing football, basketball and baseball from 2002-04. In football, he was a two-year starter, playing wide receiver as well as quarterback and occasionally defensive back. As a wide receiver against Dartmouth, Tavares had nine catches for over 200 yards. During his career, he had over 2,000 yards receiving and 15 touchdown receptions as well as 300 yards passing and threw four touchdown passes. On defense, he had four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Tavares played for coach Wayne Hamlet and his most exciting experience was when he threw a game-winning touchdown at Taunton with no time left on the clock during his senior year in his first start at quarterback. As a senior, Tavares received the Paul F Walsh Player of the Year and Harold Jaslow Unsung Hero Awards. After high school, he played football, basketball and baseball for UMass Dartmouth. Tavares resides in New Bedford and is employed by the New Bedford Public School system as a research and technology teacher and is a real estate agent for REMAX Vantage as well as a professional and youth basketball trainer. Tavares would like to dedicate this award to his late mother, Diane M. Silva, who was his driving force throughout his NBHS career.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford High Gridiron Hall of Fame Class of 2023