Life in Taunton
Best start since ’05 for Sidwell-led Tigers
The 3-0 start hasn’t exactly come against the likes of Everett and Central Catholic, but when 2005 is the last time you’ve been unbeaten at this point of the season, you’ll gladly take it.
Taunton accomplished that Friday night with a narrow 13-12 triumph over Oliver Ames. While coach Brad Sidwell is preaching caution, he also wants his team to enjoy the fruits of victories.
“We’re trying to keep everything in perspective,” Sidwell said. “But you can start to see a new energy around the program and that’s excellent.”
Sidwell took over at Taunton last year after spending 22 years at Franklin and posting a 122-110-3 record. When the opportunity to coach and teach in Taunton arose last year, Sidwell decided to take it on.
“I think having coached in the league for all those years helped,” Sidwell said. “You have a lot of good coaches in here, people I went up against before.”
The season began with a bang as a pair of Antonio Mendes rushing touchdowns staked Taunton to an early 25-0 lead over New Bedford before the Tigers hung on for a 25-15 win. A week later, the defense forced four turnovers in a 14-0 victory over Durfee.
The Tigers faced some adversity for the first time Friday night against Oliver Ames. Trailing 12-0, Taunton rallied behind Noah Leonard to take a 13-12 lead, then held on as a potential game-winning field goal try was missed.
“I don’t think we’ve put together a complete football game yet,” Sidwell said. “We’re looking to get that game where the offense, defense and special teams all play well at once. But you can see the excitement and it’s nice to see.”
SWEET 16
1. EVERETT (3-0): Crimson Tide made sure it wasn’t a happy opener in Danvers as they unleashed an offensive onslaught upon St. John’s Prep.
2. CENTRAL CATHOLIC (30): Struggled mightily with Methuen for three quarters before exploding down the stretch.
3. BC HIGH (3-0): Went down to New Jersey and took care of the Jersey Boys from Hudson Catholic.
4. MARSHFIELD (2-1): Rams waited a year for revenge, and boy did they ever exact it against Falmouth.
5. NATICK (3-0): Took care of business on both sides of the ball against Milton.
6. LEXINGTON (3-0): It might not have been the devastating assault Sal Frelick laid on Reading last year, but the senior quarterback and teammates were more than efficient against the Rockets once again.
7. XAVERIAN (1-2): After a brutal nonleague slate to open the season, the Hawks jump into Catholic Conference play with a contest against Catholic Memorial.
8. MANSFIELD (3-0): Received a stiffer-thanexpected challenge from Franklin before surviving a one-point affair.
9. KING PHILIP (3-0): Warriors put their state-best 16game winning streak on the line Thursday when they host Mansfield.
10. BRIDGEWATER-RAYNHAM (2-1): Just when you think you’ve seen Bryce Shaw do it all, the senior standout adds feature tailback to his already impressive resume.
11. DUXBURY (2-1): Looks like the Dragons may have another star on the horizon in sophomore wide receiver Will Prouty.
12. NORTH ATTLEBORO (2-1): Handled Sharon for a second straight win.
13. LINCOLN-SUDBURY (30): It’s very clear that the younger players have filled in for the Warriors without missing a beat.
14. DENNIS-YARMOUTH (3-0): They say life begins at 50. That’s where the scoreboard ended for the Falcons as they hung a 50spot on Nauset.
15. NORTH ANDOVER (30): Quantum leap for the Scarlet Knights, who make their debut in the Sweet 16 by virtue of a solid upset victory at Tewksbury.
16. ST. JOHN’S PREP (1-2): Eagles learned what Xaverian and Leominster previously found out: Everett is a relentless foe.