Cousins, local standouts Saalfrank, Grella to join forces with Wesleyan football

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Cousins Jake Saalfrank, left, and Connor Grella pose in front of a Wesleyan pennant. The former North Andover High and Central Catholic standouts will next play football together for Wesleyan.

The dream had been brewing since childhood, born during fiercely competitive games in their grandparents' backyard.

Wouldn't it be amazing if one day, in some way, cousins Jake Saalfrank and Connor Grella could take on the football world together -- as teammates.

"Over the years we always supported each other, but we never had the opportunity to suit up together for the same team," said Grella. "We both cheered each other on throughout our high school years. Now that it's really happening, I know it's going to be very special. To have my cousin on the field with me, know we'll have each other's backs. It will be a dream come true."

Finally, the dream formed during countless family dinners and games of catch will become a reality.

Former North Andover High and Phillips Academy star Saalfrank and recently-graduated Central Catholic standout Grella will take the field as teammates -- with Wesleyan University football.

And they'll also be roommates.

"This is going to be an amazing experience," said Saalfrank. "Finally, getting to play on the same team is something I'm really looking forward to after years of supporting each other from the stands or sidelines. He would always tell me how fun it would have been if I had gone to Central and we got to play together there, but now we actually get to experience it. It also means a lot for our families."

Despite a longtime desire to team up, joining forces wasn't the resolution of a well-crafted plan.

"I went for a visit (at Wesleyan) in early December and committed a few weeks later," said Grella. "For Jake, he was uncommitted at the time. He might've gone on the visit just to appease me, but I think he realized how great of a program and school Wesleyan really is."

While they have never been teammates, sports -- and competition -- have always been a major part of their lives.

"We have 21 first cousins on our side of the family, so at every family gathering it was on," said Grella. "Everything we did in the backyard was a competition -- football, pool basketball, cornhole, spikeball, seriously anything, even 45's (card game.)"

Agreed Saalfrank, "Any activity we could get our hands on we would find a way to compete in it. A lot of my best memories with my cousins are from playing sports in the backyard. Later, we did have many opportunities to play against one another in basketball, baseball and track. It was always really fun to formally compete with someone you're that close with."

Saalfrank became an Eagle-Tribune All-Star tight end/linebacker for North Andover High (class of 2024). As a senior, he had 71 tackles, seven sacks and had 21 QB pressure. Last fall, he played a postgraduate season for Phillips Academy.

Grella, who is from Methuen, excelled at Central Catholic. The receiver/defensive back earned All-MVC second team honors as a senior this past fall, and made the game-clinching interception in a thrilling win over archrival Andover.

Saalfrank had football offers from offers from Stonehill, Bryant, Merrimack and Marist, but ultimately fell for Wesleyan.

"I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity to continue playing the game I love at the next level, surrounded by great teammates and coaches in a tough league," he said. "I just need to do my part and make the most of it -- to give all I can to the program and get the most I can out of the experience.

"It's a phenomenal academic opportunity which will no doubt be beneficial in life. I'm excited to be part of a top tier football program that will enable me to develop to the best of my abilities."

Added Grella, "Wesleyan is coming off a NESCAC Championship, with a lot of momentum and potential for another great season. I've always had my eyes set on playing for one of the NESCAC schools. When I visited the campus and met with the coaching staff, I saw the culture of their program is similar to what I experienced at Central Catholic, and it made me feel at home."

As excited as they are to hit the gridiron together, they're also pumped to be roommates.

"It will definitely be fun," said Saalfrank. "It will be nice to room with someone I know and am comfortable with, and also someone that I can be honest with and hold each other accountable to help us grow into better people."

Both are now hard at work preparing for the college season, often training together.

"We're doing anything and everything we can," said Saalfrank. "Constantly studying my playbook, being relentless in the weight room and on the field. I've been meeting up with Wesleyan football players who live in Mass., running routes/catching for QBs from Wesleyan and my old high school QB Jack O'Connell. Being able to go through this process with Connor has definitely been a huge advantage and we have helped each other a lot."