In what is certain to be a high-scoring affair, the Div. 5 Super Bowl matchup between No. 2 North Reading and No. 4 Shawsheen is a must-watch contest Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.
North Reading (10-2) rested their starters on Thanksgiving Day, however was averaging 44 factors per recreation throughout its three postseason matchups towards Dedham (50-18), Apponequet (40-0) and Bishop Fenwick (32-29) to earn their second straight Div. 5 Super Bowl look.
The assault is led by senior QB Alex Carucci with 1,860 yards and 25 touchdowns to only one interception whereas including 227 yards and 6 scores on the bottom. Will Batten ran for 718 yards and 13 touchdowns (with 381 receiving yards, 5 reception TDs) whereas senior Craig Rubino (970 complete yards, 13 complete touchdowns) and Ryan McGuire (327 yards, 4 TDs) support the air assault.
“It all starts with our quarterback,” mentioned Hornets coach Ed Blum. “From there, a combination of our offensive line and the fact that we can be very multiple with our skill guys. We are very fortunate to rely on a few different receivers and a really good running back. It allows us to be multi-dimensional.”
The Hornets’ protection has not been too shabby both with simply over 15 factors allowed per recreation within the postseason – somewhat greater than the 13 allowed within the common season.
“It allows everyone to play with a certain level of confidence,” Blum mentioned about his protection. “Both sides of the ball and special teams play off of each other. We have a lot of confidence in our defense.”
The protection will certainly have their fingers full with the Shawsheen (12-0) unfold assault.
“(Shawsheen) is a really good football team,” mentioned Blum. “A spread team with some good athletes. A solid quarterback with receivers that he really trusts. … A lot of good things on their side that they do well and that is why they are at this point.”
With shut victories over Worcester Tech (20-6), Old Rochester (27-20) and Dover-Sherborn (21-14), the Rams have loads of shut wins to assist them in a win-it-all contest, together with a 42-19 win over Arlington Catholic on Thanksgiving that was a 14-13 recreation within the second quarter.
“It gives a great opportunity to teach the kids about hanging in there when you are in (close) games,” mentioned Rams coach Al Costabile. “It provides a great value and a great reward with what can come out the other end if they do. You can’t slight that whatsoever.”
The Rams’ offensive focus has been by way of the air for a lot of the season as sophomore Sid Tildsley has thrown for 23 scores and eight picks whereas carrying the ball 103 occasions for 633 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has returned two of his 4 interceptions on protection for scores.
Senior captain Mavrick Bourdeau and junior Ryan Copson lead the receiving core with 75 catches, 1,200 yards and 16 mixed scores. Copson additionally threw a pair as nicely.
Junior Caleb Caceres provides an additional run factor to the offense with 106 carries for 663 yards and 9 touchdowns. Caceres additionally has caught three scores.
On protection, Caceres and Copson every have 4 interceptions. Freshman James Tildsley (84 tackles), sophomore Cullen Walsh (80 tackles) and junior Damian Ortiz (71 tackles) additionally come up massive on protection and Costabile could have his fingers full stopping the Hornets.
“You really have to do so many things well,” Costabile mentioned about the way to deal with North Reading on the defensive aspect of the ball. “You have to really pay attention to detail and tackle really well. They really get after it offensively.”
“We are really excited to go to Gillette,” mentioned Costabile. “We have the utmost respect for North Reading. They are one formidable opponent.”
Costabile can also be able to make a return to the Super Bowl since Shawsheen defeated Blue Hills 20-6 within the Div. 4 Super Bowl in 2010.
“It feels great,” mentioned Costabile about being again within the state title. “I would be lying that we weren’t really excited about going to Gillette.”
DIV. 5 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday, December 2, 5:30 p.m. at Gillette
North Reading vs. Shawsheen
NORTH READING HORNETS (10-2)
Head coach: Ed Blum
NORTH READING 35, Northeast 20
North Reading 44, GREATER LAWRENCE 17
NORTH READING 48, Pentucket 0
PENTUCKET 48, Ipswich 6
NORTH READING 47, Triton 8
Amesbury 30, NORTH READING 27
North Reading 46, NEWBURYPORT 7
North Reading 54, HAMILTON-WENHAM 16
NORTH READING 50, Dedham 18
NORTH READING 40, Apponequet 9
North Reading 32, Bishop Fenwick 29
Lynnfield 32, NORTH READING 6
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
SHAWSHEEN RAMS
Head coach: Al Costabile
SHAWSHEEN 30, Bedford 26
SHAWSHEEN 27, Triton 20
Shawsheen 27, ESSEX TECH 13
Shawsheen 20, GREATER LAWRENCE 14
SHAWSHEEN 36, Greater Lowell 0
SHAWSHEEN 44, Manchester-Essex 14
Shawsheen 42, NORTHEAST 14
SHAWSHEEN 41, Whittier 16
SHAWSHEEN 20, Worcester Tech 6
SHAWSHEEN 27, Old Rochester 20
Shawsheen 21, Dover-Sherborn 14
SHAWSHEEN 42, Arlington Catholic 19
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
SUPER BOWL HISTORY
North Reading is showing in its third state championship recreation and is searching for its first title. The Hornets performed in final yr’s last, shedding to Swampscott 14-7 regardless of a 14-catch, 154-yard effort from Ryan McCullough.
Shawsheen can also be competing in its third last. The Rams defeated Blue Hills 20-6 to seize the Div. 4 Super Bowl in 2010 as Steven Reynolds broke a 6-6 tie on a 25-yard landing run with 5 minutes left, then Matt Costello wrapped it up with a 35-yard interception return for a rating.
Source: www.bostonherald.com