FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Bedford High School's Jack Belcher has been named the New England Patriots High School Coach of the Week in recognition of his team's 2-1 start to this season.

Bedford High School notched two straight shutout victories against Stoneham (7-0) and Belmont (35-0) to open the season, surpassing their win total from the previous two seasons. In 2002 and 2003, Bedford had a combined overall record of 1-20 before Belcher took over as head coach prior to this season.

Belcher played collegiate football as an offensive lineman at Boston College, serving as team captain in 1982, before playing four years in the United States Football League.

"Jack's experience as a player is a major reason why he is a great coach," said Chris Aufiero, the athletic director of Bedford High School. "He is knowledgeable, enthusiastic and relates extremely well to the Bedford student-athletes. The award means a lot to Bedford High School, and no one is more deserving than Jack."

This season marks the ninth year in which the Patriots have joined the National Football League in conducting the High School Coach of the Week program, which recognizes outstanding high school coaches and promotes youth football throughout New England.

Patriots Hall of Fame linebacker Andre Tippett, who is now the team's director of football development and promotions, oversees the program as part of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation's commitment to youth football initiatives. Each week during the season, Tippett, along with WCVB Channel 5 sports anchor Mike Lynch, will honor the selected coach on the team's weekly magazine show, Patriots All Access. The broadcast airs on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 7 p.m. on WCVB.

The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation will donate $1,000 to Bedford High School's football program in Belcher's name in recognition of his selection as Coach of the Week. At the conclusion of the season, one of the previous weekly honorees will be named the New England Patriots High School Coach of the Year, and will receive a $2,000 contribution to go toward the school's football program.

The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, Inc. is the non-profit organization through which the Patriots support charitable and philanthropic organizations throughout New England. This support comes in the form of both direct grants and in-kind donations, and through player appearances at a number of charity functions and educational programs. The foundation assists a variety of charitable organizations and programs throughout New England by supporting their educational, family and health initiatives.