January 29, 2026 by Tom Hoffman
Peter Bourque is a champion who knows how to give back to his community.
The 6’4”, 220-pound quarterback for Tabor Academy and son of Rob and Melissa Bourque of Hingham was named Gatorade Massachusetts Football Player of the Year after leading Tabor to a 9–0 record and a league title. In the process, the junior signal-caller threw for 2,241 yards and 18 touchdowns, while also rushing for 688 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Prior to attending Tabor, Bourque played and studied at Catholic Memorial, where as an eighth grader he served as the varsity backup for the Division 1 state champions. The following season, as a freshman, he was called upon to play quarterback in the second quarter when the senior starting QB was injured. Bourque threw for two touchdowns and led CM to another Division 1 Super Bowl championship.
Bourque began his championship run in Hingham Youth Football, leading the Hingham Raiders to league Super Bowl titles for four consecutive years. It was a family affair, as his head coach was none other than his father, Rob. The coaching staff also included SNAP Treasurer Tom Hoffman, who coached the offensive line and special teams. Bourque fondly remembers his HYF experience.
“Unbelievable memories. I will always cherish playing with my buddies and winning championships,” Bourque said. “HYF set the foundation for so many kids to learn how to be great teammates, show respect, work hard, rally around each other, and play to the best of your ability.”
As part of winning the Gatorade award, Bourque was given the opportunity to designate a charity to receive a $1,000 grant — and that’s where the connection to Hingham came full circle.
When asked why he chose the South Shore Special Needs Athletic Partnership (SNAP) to receive the grant, Bourque smiled and explained his decision.
“My buddies and former Raider teammates, Matt Griffin and Eli Melendes, have both served as summer mentors and told me how great the SNAP program is for the kids,” he said. “So I thought it was the right thing to do.”
SNAP President Warren Pelissier was elated when he learned about the grant and Bourque’s comments. “That is fantastic, and it shows that SNAP has made an impact not only on SNAP kids and their families, but also on their classmates and friends,” he said.
As a result of his accomplishments on the gridiron, Bourque was selected to play in the NBC Sports Navy All-American High School Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, on January 10. The game invites the top 100 senior and junior players in the country to spend a week together practicing before competing in the game. Bourque earned the start for the East squad, which went on to win 17–14, capping off an unforgettable week.