One workforce likes to unfold issues out and get its playmakers in house. The different is a throwback to the previous with an offensive assault Army and Navy would take pleasure in.
On Thursday at Gillette Stadium, Salem and Fairhaven will conflict for the Division 6 Super Bowl title in a recreation that options groups which have defeated opponents by a median of just about three touchdowns per recreation.
Fairhaven (11-1) was the No. 8 seed coming into the playoffs and rolled via the primary two rounds earlier than surviving a late Hudson rally to earn its spot in Foxboro. Even extra necessary for coach Derek Almeida’s squad was its win over Dartmouth on Thanksgiving morning in a recreation that noticed them kick a last-second discipline aim to win.
“Dartmouth was as good as anyone,” Almeida stated. “I’m really proud of a lot of our young kids who stepped up in a big situation in that game.”
The Blue Devils’ choice based mostly assault is available in averaging 33.8 factors per recreation and is led by working again Justin Marques, who has been a workhorse.
“We had a loss against Apponequet where we felt like we could have used him more to help us win,” Almeida stated. “We sat down and talked and decided we were going to play him as much as we needed to from there on.”
Salem coach Matt Bouchard is aware of his membership may have its palms full making an attempt to stonewall Fairhaven’s offense.
“They run that option like the old Navy teams used to do but they add a little bit of the Wing-T that adds another element to it,” Bouchard stated.
The Witches (10-2) have been one of many true really feel good tales of the season. After profitable a Division 2A Super Bowl in 1999, Salem had gone via its share of struggles earlier than Bouchard took the reins of his hometown workforce. Since he arrived from Bishop Fenwick, it’s been a gentle climb that has reached its peak this season due to an offense that’s averaged 37 factors per recreation.
“These guys have committed to some bigger goals and they wanted to do bigger things,” Bouchard stated. “One of the things we preach is that habits equal dreams. And these kids have really changed their habits to make this possible.”
The Witches have been a big-play machine all yr, led by the dynamic backfield of quarterback Corey Grimes, and working backs Devante Ozuna, Quinn Rocco Ryan and Shane Field.
“They can score in so many ways,” Almeida stated. “They are very creative offensively and get their best players in space. We need to be good with our personnel groups.”
One factor each coaches can agree on is attending to Gillette is the end result of a spectacular season.
“Everyone wants this opportunity when the year starts,” Almeida stated. “Each opportunity you get during the year leads to the next one and this is the last one.”
DIVISION 6 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Salem (10-2) vs. Fairhaven (11-1), Thursday, 3 p.m. at Gillette Stadium
SALEM WITCHES
Head coach: Matt Bouchard
SEPT. 8: SALEM 51, Arlington 26
SEPT. 15: SALEM 15, Danvers 7
SEPT. 22: Salem 28, GREATER LAWRENCE 0
SEPT. 29: SALEM 40, Gloucester 6
OCT. 6: SALEM 55, Saugus 20
OCT. 13: Salem 48, LYNN CLASSICAL 44
OCT. 20: WINTHROP 20, Salem 19
OCT. 27: PEABODY 27, Salem 26
NOV. 3: SALEM 33, Dennis-Yarmouth 27
NOV. 10: SALEM 55, Cardinal Spellman 0
**NOV. 17: Salem 38, Stoneham 14
NOV. 23: Salem 35, BEVERLY 14
* – Home workforce in caps. ** – Neutral discipline
FAIRHAVEN BLUE DEVILS
Head coach: Derek Almeida
SEPT. 8: FAIRHAVEN 38, Durfee 13
SEPT. 14: FAIRHAVEN 35, Medway 0
SEPT. 22: FAIRHAVEN 21, Greater New Bedford 19
SEPT. 29: FAIRHAVEN 46, Bourne 10
OCT. 6: Fairhaven 49, CASE 6
OCT. 13: FAIRHAVEN 28, Old Rochester 0
OCT. 20: FAIRHAVEN 40, Seekonk 0
OCT. 27: APPONEQUET 26, Fairhaven 21
NOV. 3: FAIRHAVEN 35, Winthrop 21
NOV. 10: Fairhaven 28, NORWELL 14
**NOV. 17: Fairhaven 40, Hudson 37
NOV. 23: Fairhaven 24, DARTMOUTH 21
* – Home workforce in caps. ** – Neutral discipline
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HISTORY
Salem is enjoying in its fourth championship recreation. The Witches are 1-2, with the one win coming of their final look in 1999 when Matt Horgan ran for 178 yards and three touchdowns, whereas including a TD reception in a 25-12 win over Attleboro within the Div. 3 Eastern Mass. Super Bowl.
Fairhaven is an ideal 3-0 in championship video games, all three victories coming beneath Hall of Fame coach Dana Almeida, the daddy of present Blue Devils’ coach Derek Almeida. Fairhaven’s final title look got here in 2000 when Joe Charpentier ran for 128 yards and a landing, whereas Jon Tadeau added a pair of speeding scores in a 35-14 win over Carver within the Div. 4 Eastern Mass. Super Bowl.
Source: www.bostonherald.com