FOXBORO - Both sides agree that progress has been made toward playing at least some of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association's Eastern Mass. football Super Bowls at Gillette Stadium.

But as of this past week, that progress has not yet translated into a specific timetable for an agreement.

"The Patriots are really driving this vehicle," MIAA Executive Director Richard Neal said Thursday at the organization's headquarters in Franklin. "They have been so accommodating, so open, but it really is up to them. It's their facility, it's their gesture … we're appreciative that they reached out to us."

The Patriots' executive director of media relations, Stacey James, termed the state of the negotiations as "hopeful" on Friday, and expressed optimism about their progress. Earlier in the day, Kraft Group President and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Kraft deferred comment until he could review the situation with stadium officials more actively involved in the talks.

Installation of a FieldTurf playing surface at Gillette Stadium last November led to overtures to the MIAA by the Patriots' organization, and Kraft in particular, that might lead to the five-year-old Foxboro facility playing host to at least some of the seven divisional championship games. MIAA Super Bowls were previously played at Foxboro Stadium, Gillette's predecessor, before the installation of a natural grass surface in 1991. Boston University's Nickerson Field served as the primary host site for several years afterward, but more recently, with BU having withdrawn itself from the mix, the MIAA has opted to use high schools or small colleges with artificial surfaces.

The organization has been inundated with complaints about the inadequacy of some of those facilities, especially in regard to seating and parking. Those problems would not exist if Gillette Stadium became the new home to the Super Bowls.

In March, The Sun Chronicle reported that MIAA officials had contacted Foxboro Town Manager Andrew Gala to seek a waiver of the per-ticket licensing fees for the potential use of the stadium for the Super Bowls. According to a letter sent by MIAA Deputy Director William Gaine, the MIAA and the Kraft organization were close to reaching a three-year agreement for rent-free use of the facility for the Super Bowls, with the Krafts picking up the tab for operating expenses.

Members of the Board of Selectmen said they would be likely to waive the fees once specific event dates were submitted to them.

Neal confirmed his organization's contact with Foxboro officials, and said he appreciated the response.

"The consideration that the community and the Patriots in particular have provided us has been very, very heartwarming," he said. "The Patriots have been very thoughtful of this organization in general, and in our football tournament in particular. They seem to be very willing to provide or at least consider providing Gillette Stadium to us for some of our football activity."

Neal said that talks were ongoing, and that they remain on a cordial and productive basis. He did not indicate how close they might be to resolution.

"We're in very wholesome conversation with the Patriots, and the people with whom we've been conversing have been terrific," he said. "They have our interests at heart almost to the extent that we do. So I think that they would really like to reach out to our kids and our school community."

One potential stumbling block was removed when the NFL schedule was announced last month. The Patriots are playing in Baltimore on Dec. 3, a Monday night, which means Gillette Stadium will be available for the entire weekend on which the high school Super Bowls would be scheduled.