Thrills, chills playing at Gillette
FOXBORO — Everyone knows this opportunity doesn’t come around often.
Coaches, captains and administrators of the 16 schools participating in this week’s MIAA Super Bowls soaked in the environment yesterday at Gillette Stadium, which will be the backdrop for the games Friday and Saturday.
“It’s crazy being able to look up and being in the stadium,” said North Attleboro quarterback Chad Peterson, whose Red Rocketeers kick off the Super Bowls on Friday at 5 p.m. against St. John’s (Shrewsbury). “It’s pretty surreal.”
This year will be different for Millis as it chases its second straight title, this time in Division 8 against Hoosac Valley. Last year, its Super Bowl win came at Worcester State, one of two games not in Foxboro.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to actually play on this field and experience how the NFL players experience it,” Millis quarterback Bryce Latosek said of stepping on Tom Brady and the Patriots’ home turf. “Last year was pretty fun, too, because we had the fans right behind us, but obviously, this one’s going to be 20 times better.”
Mashpee will make its third straight trip to Gillette in hopes of another ring.
“It means a lot,” Mashpee lineman Ben Bohnenberger said of the Falcons’ clash with Blackstone Valley for the Division 7 crown. “We want to come back and win so we can call ourselves a dynasty.”
After winning a Div. 1 Super Bowl last year at Lynn’s Manning Field, Everett is on center stage Saturday in a rematch of last season’s title bout with Xaverian.
“They’re a tough competitor every time we play them,” Everett wide receiver Anthony Norcia said. “We know they’re going to come ready. We beat them earlier in the season, but they’re a way better team now coming into the Super Bowl. They’re on a roll. we’re on a roll, so it should be a really good game.”
King Philip in Wrentham has the shortest commute to Gillette, and the Warriors are riding a state-best 24-game winning streak entering their Div. 2 showdown with Lincoln-Sudbury on Friday night.
King Philip isn’t focused on its win streak, just on the task at hand.
“We just take it one game at a time,” Warriors running back Shane Frommer said. “Our main goal is to win the Super Bowl, and that’s all that really matters to us.”