Foxboro head coach Jack Martinelli is synonymous with profitable in Massachusetts highschool soccer and not too long ago reached the three hundredth win plateau.
Now Martinelli is lastly again the place he belongs.
Martinelli and the No. 2 Warriors return to the championship platform for the ninth time in Martinelli’s illustrious 42-year profession to face top-seeded Hanover within the Division 5 Super Bowl title sport Friday (8 p.m.) at Gillette Stadium. This is the primary journey since back-to-back visits to the finals in 2005 and 2006, which was a 21-10 victory over Burlington.
Foxboro had made the Final Four the previous three years with the brand new power-ranking playoff format however lastly Martinelli and the Warriors are over the hump and return to huge stage highlight.
“I take each year for what it is, but it was great to see the kids rise to the occasion,” mentioned Martinelli, whose document of 305-139-5 is nice sufficient for fifth all-time in Massachusetts wins.
Hanover additionally comes into the competition at 11-1 with its solely blemish approaching Thanksgiving Day as head coach Brian Kelliher rested his starters for the prospect at profitable a title for the primary time since 2016 – the yr earlier than Kelliher joined the Hanover employees.
“They are a big, strong, physical team that has a lot of talent,” mentioned Kelliher, who was an assistant for six years earlier than taking up this season. “For us, they have a big size advantage up front, and we have to be able to match them physically. We can’t let them pound the ball down the field on us.”
Foxboro has gained six straight after a loss to King Philip and is led by a number of fronts out of the unfold however definitely gifted sufficient to pound the ball between the tackles just like the Martinelli offenses of yesteryear.
Quarterback Mike Marcucella has thrown 14 landing passes, whereas tailback Ben Angelini leads the Hockomock League with 23 touchdowns together with 1,100 yards on the bottom. Nolan Gordon provides to the offensive energy at break up finish with 5 touchdowns within the playoffs alone.
“We feel in the second half of the season we’ve been able to do both styles,” Martinelli mentioned.
Linebacker Lincoln Moore and hard-nosed defensive finish Brandon Mazenkas-O’Grady, who owns a number of blocked punts, are the Warriors’ defensive leaders.
“Hanover is a very talented football team, they throw the ball as good as anyone I’ve seen, and they have 11 good athletes on the field, hiding no one offensively or defensively,” Martinelli mentioned. “We like the way their linebackers play and are certainly concerned. The best defense is to have a good offense ourselves and I believe we are good enough unless they are fooling me.”
The Hawks will lean closely on senior quarterback Ben Scalzi, whose numbers leap off the web page with a 67 % completion charge, 2,407 passing yards, 36 touchdowns and solely 5 interceptions.
With nice quarterback play, comes the dynamic huge receiver duo of John McDonald and Mehki Bryan. Each senior wideout has 12 landing receptions, with McDonald main the group with 15 scores, 52 receptions and 830 receiving yards in 11 video games.
Vinny Mancini leads the dashing assault with Aiden Boutin, who performs each methods as a linebacker with 82 tackles and 4 sacks. Other names to look at for on the Hawks are John Regan (4 sacks), Sebastian Brown, Owen Cross, Connor Hutchison and Brendon Errico.
“We have to play a sound and disciplined game, execute on offense, and can’t afford to make mental mistakes or turn the ball over,” Kelliher mentioned. “They are such a dominant group so, if we’re punting, we’re giving them extra alternative to manage the clock. What we have to do is benefit from our offensive alternatives.“
DIVISION 5 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Hanover (11-1) vs. Foxboro (11-1), Friday, 8 p.m. at Gillette Stadium
HANOVER HAWKS
Head coach: Brian Kelliher
SEPT. 7: Hanover 28, DUXBURY 18
SEPT. 15: Hanover 37, HINGHAM 15
**SEPT. 21: HANOVER 35, Stoughton 7
SEPT. 29: Hanover 42, PLYMOUTH SOUTH 7
OCT. 6: Hanover 42, SCITUATE 28
OCT. 13: HANOVER 35, Quincy 16
OCT. 20: HANOVER 31, Pembroke 8
OCT. 27: Hanover 42, NORTH QUINCY 13
NOV. 3: HANOVER 42, Gloucester 16
NOV. 10: HANOVER 31, Bishop Stang 0
**NOV. 18: Hanover 27, Danvers 24
NOV. 23: NORWELL 32, Hanover 0
* – Home group in caps. ** – Neutral area
FOXBORO WARRIORS
Head coach: Jack Martinelli
SEPT. 8: Foxboro 18, HOLLISTON 15
SEPT. 15: Foxboro 14, NORTH ATTLEBORO 0
SEPT. 22: FOXBORO 24, Scituate 14
SEPT. 29: Foxboro 41, SHARON 13
OCT. 6: FOXBORO 31, Stoughton 7
OCT. 13: King Philip 13, FOXBORO 7
OCT. 20: Foxboro 35, CANTON 0
OCT. 27: FOXBORO 49, Oliver Ames 6
NOV. 3: FOXBORO 42, Wilmington 0
NOV. 10: FOXBORO 37, Newburyport 0
**NOV. 17: Foxboro 42, Shawsheen 12
NOV. 23: Foxboro 30, MANSFIELD 17
* – Home group in caps. ** – Neutral area
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HISTORY
Hanover is showing in its sixth championship sport and boasts a 5-0 document. The Hawks final appeared in a title sport in 2016 once they defeated Grafton 21-0 to assert the Div. 3 crown. Brad Rogers was the star as he rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries.
Foxboro is making its ninth showing within the finals, having gained 3 times. The final time the Warriors captured a title was in 1991 the place they defeated Whitman-Hanson 43-14 within the Div. 3B Eastern Mass. championship sport. Brian Harding ran for 171 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 25 carries for Foxboro.
Source: www.bostonherald.com