Foxboro has been right here earlier than, however the Warriors are searching for just a little extra.
Standing in the way in which of Foxboro and a berth within the Div. 5 state championship sport is a Shawsheen Tech workforce searching for some redemption of its personal. These groups meet in a state semifinal contest Friday night at Assabet Valley.
Foxboro appeared within the Div. 4 semifinals in every of the final two seasons, shedding to Duxbury in 2021 (38-21) and Grafton final season (21-12). The second-seeded Warriors (9-1) enter the competition on a roll, having allowed one landing of their final 4 video games since a hard-fought 13-7 loss to undefeated King Philip.
“I guess we’ve been the bridesmaids, but not the bride the last two years,” mentioned Foxboro coach Jack Martinelli, who lately gained his three hundredth sport. “There is no better teacher than experience, so they know about playing in this game.”
Shawsheen (9-0) was in a position to get to Gillette final yr, shedding 44-28 to North Reading. Many of those self same gamers who have been on the sphere a yr in the past are again, led by standout quarterback Sidney Tildsley.
“Having played there last year is such a big help in many ways,” Shawsheen coach Al Costabile mentioned. “You just can’t create that type of pressure and atmosphere in practice.”
Costabile has seen sufficient of Foxboro to know getting previous the Warriors would require a most effort.
“Foxboro is a big, powerful team with an excellent coach. They are the most balanced team we’ve seen so far,” Costabile mentioned. “They can run the ball, they can throw the ball and they have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball.”
Shawsheen hasn’t been a shrinking violet both. The closest video games they Rams had all season was a season-opening 21-7 win over Bedford, adopted by a 21-6 conquer Middlesex Liberty champion Belmont.
“They are a very good team with a lot of tough, confident kids,” Martinelli mentioned. “They have a lot of speed in the skill positions, the quarterback (Tildsley) is the head of the snake and we are going to have to find a way to contain him.”
Elsewhere on state semifinal weekend, Xaverian and St. John’s Prep are on a collision course to doubtlessly meet twice (Thanksgiving and the Div. 1 state championship), however each must overcome worthy opponents. St. John’s Prep faces Andover, whereas Xaverian takes on a harmful Needham squad.
Catholic Memorial’s quest for a three-peat in Div. 2 continues because the Knights tackle Marshfield. Fresh off a wild 39-31 win over Mansfield, Walpole faces one other worthy Hockomock League foe in Milford in a Div. 3 semifinal.
Patriot League perennial contenders Duxbury and Scituate are one sport nearer to a rematch at Gillette for the Div. 4 state title. Duxbury faces Tewksbury, whereas Scituate takes on Grafton.
Several native groups might be competing within the NEPSAC Bowls on Saturday. Belmont Hill hosts Deerfield Academy within the Danny Smith Bowl, Dexter Southfield travels to Hamden Hall within the Joe Lang Bowl, BB&N visits Tabor within the John Papas Bowl, the Bob Souza Bowl pits Rivers at Pingree and St. Paul’s visits Lawrence Academy within the Kevin Macdonald Bowl.
Source: www.bostonherald.com