Head coach Colin McQueen says the double tight set, straight-T offense his Amesbury soccer crew leaned on this 12 months may be a described by others as an antiquated type.
But for the Redhawks, it’s aged like a superb wine.
Only two different groups that certified for the Div. 7 state event averaged extra factors than sixth-seeded Amesbury (9-2) this 12 months, they usually have a possibility to attempt to outscore one in every of them once they tackle No. 1 Uxbridge (12-0) within the Div. 7 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium, Friday at 3 p.m.
The Spartans’ division-best 41.4 factors per recreation is as arduous as any to maintain up with, however Amesbury’s 36 per recreation is up for the problem.
“(We) play tough football and use all four downs to do it,” McQueen mentioned. “If we go forward, it’s pretty tough to stop us. The guys have been good at staying on schedule for most of the year and finding ways to finish drives.”
The Redhawks are 1-0 in Super Bowls with a lone look in 2008, whereas Uxbridge is 2-0 with repeat titles from over 30 years in the past – in 1991 and 1992. Both underwent a progressive construct in recent times towards getting again to this closing showdown, however in several methods.
Amesbury earned excessive seeds the final couple years, however suffered upsets within the state quarterfinals in 2021 and to the eventual champions within the state semifinals in 2022.
The Redhawks have run wild on the sector for an opportunity this 12 months, although, led by the working again tandem of senior twins Michael Sanchez (1,319 yards, 17 touchdowns) and Max Sanchez (890 yards, 16 touchdowns). They hardly move, however artistic play-calling has freed up complementary success from senior Christian McGarry (327 yards, 5 touchdowns), sophomore quarterback Justin Dube (5 touchdowns) and junior DJ DiCarlo (319 yards, 14 touchdowns) to current alternative ways they will rating.
Much of that may be a credit score to the offensive line from leaders Kyle Palen (heart/nostril deal with), Aiden Donovan (left guard, linebacker), Will Arsenault (left deal with, linebacker) and Danny Hutchings (proper guard, defensive deal with), who are also high defensive figures for the Redhawks inside a powerful entrance seven.
“These guys feel like they’ve prepared themselves well for (this),” McQueen mentioned. “It doesn’t take long to look through the gymnasium over at Amesbury, looking at the banners. State titles, they’re hard to come by. It’s an awesome opportunity and the kids are very, very excited for it.”
They face an Uxbridge squad that has up to now exploded by means of an unbeaten season, however simply two years in the past missed the playoffs at 6-5. Last 12 months, a 20-14 state quarterfinal loss to eventual finalist Saint Bernard’s was one in every of solely three losses – all by one rating.
It wasn’t too arduous for coaches to promote their gamers on how shut they have been to this degree of play, they usually’ve accomplished properly to keep up focus amid a historic run.
“There were indicators that we were headed in this direction,” mentioned Uxbridge head coach Matt Blood. “It’s like, ‘Man, we were one play away,’ (from advancing last year). … (But) they’ve had some practice over the course of the season on kind of keeping it real, staying humble and focused.”
The Spartans are versatile offensively, anchored by multi-talented quarterback Kellen LaChapelle (1,147 passing yards, 1,268 speeding yards, 38 whole touchdowns). His brother, Cam LaChapelle, is equally harmful on the bottom (1,262 yards, 27 whole touchdowns), whereas tight finish Aidan Blood (316 yards, 4 touchdowns) and receivers Liam Rigney (222 yards, 4 touchdowns), Liam Kaferlein (195 yards, 4 touchdowns), and flanker Carter Gilmore (257 whole yards, three touchdowns) are all appropriate targets.
Luke Esposito, Shane Okenquist and Nate Noyes are the skilled starters on the road, however Shawn Lemovitz and Joe Romasco have stuffed in properly alongside them.
“I think we’ve been fairly balanced offensively, all of our receivers have similar numbers,” Matt Blood mentioned. “(With the LaChapelles), it’s like sort of having two running backs in the backfield at once, except one can throw the ball as well.”
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how a lot it might probably rating if Amesbury can grind away the clock, however the Spartans are suited defensively (10.3 factors allowed per recreation) to restrict first downs in opposition to a rush-heavy crew. Linebacker Blood is on the forefront (112 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks), with defensive ends Esposito and Ben Roerden (46 tackles, two compelled fumbles) able to problem Amesbury’s robust offensive line.
DIV. 7 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Uxbridge (12-0) vs. Amesbury (9-2), Friday, 3 p.m. at Gillette Stadium
UXBRIDGE SPARTANS
Head coach: Matt Blood
SEPT. 8: Uxbridge 49, MAYNARD 6
SEPT. 15: UXBRIDGE 56, Blackstone Valley 0
SEPT. 22: Uxbridge 50, OXFORD 14
SEPT 29: UXBRIDGE 34, South 18
OCT. 6: Uxbridge 34, LEICESTER 18
OCT. 13: Uxbridge 49, TANTASQUA 14
OCT. 20: UXBRIDGE 33, Millbury 14
OCT. 27: UXBRIDGE 33, Auburn 0
NOV. 3: UXBRIDGE 48, Oxford 13
NOV. 10: UXBRIDGE 33, Tyngsboro 7
**NOV. 18: Uxbridge 35, Clinton 15
NOV. 23: Uxbridge 35, NORTHBRIDGE 14
* – Home crew in caps. ** – Neutral subject
AMESBURY REDHAWKS
Head coach: Colin McQueen
SEPT. 9: AMESBURY 40, North Reading 38 (ot)
SEPT. 15: Amesbury 32, ESSEX TECH 0
SEPT. 22: AMESBURY 32, Pentucket/Georgetown 14
SEPT. 29: Amesbury 48, IPSWICH 7
OCT. 13: Lynnfield 24, AMESBURY 14
OCT. 21: Amesbury 42, HAMILTON-WENHAM 6
OCT. 27: Amesbury 36, TRITON 7
NOV. 3: AMESBURY 44, Wahconah 14
NOV. 10: Amesbury 34, WEST BRIDGEWATER 18
**NOV. 17: Amesbury 48, Cohasset 28
NOV. 23: NEWBURYPORT 44, Amesbury 28
* – Home crew in caps. ** – Neutral subject
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HISTORY
Amesbury has appeared in only one prior championship recreation nevertheless it was a profitable one. Jared Flannigan rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, whereas including a TD move in a 40-19 win over Martha’s Vineyard within the 2008 Div. 3A Super Bowl.
Uxbridge hasn’t been to the finals since defeating Bay Path in each 1991 and 1992 to assert the Div. 3 Central Mass. title. In 1992, Dan Hanson accomplished 10-of-17 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns, whereas speeding for a fourth in a 26-16 win.
Source: www.bostonherald.com