Wait worth it for Middleboro
DIV. 6 PREVIEW
This situation has not come around often for Middleboro.
It has been 34 years since the Sachems played in a Super Bowl, but that drought is coming to an end.
Middleboro (9-3) makes it first Super Bowl appearance since 1983 on Saturday (9 a.m.) against Littleton (11-0) in the Division 6 state final at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
“We’re pretty excited where we’re at and how we’re doing right now,” Middleboro coach Pat Kingman said. “All these kids, I know they’re pretty happy to be in this spot.”
Both squads come into the grand finale with prolific offenses. Middleboro, which averaged 31.4 points per game before resting its starters on Thanksgiving, has a dynamic attack centered around quarterback Evan Gwozdz and running back Jeremy Soule.
Even though Gwozdz (31 touchdowns) and Soule (1,400 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns) are the focal points, the Sachems don’t rely just on the duo in their spread offense.
Gwozdz has a plethora of options, especially at receiver where Colin O’Brien, Harry Lapierre and Davis Riendeau can all make plays.
“Everybody talks about Jeremy and Evan, but I don’t think anybody talks about the third leg to this (which) is O’Brien,” Kingman said of his receiver, who has 10 touchdown catches. “We got three guys with over 20 receptions in our receiving corps right now. I think that’s something that you have to pay attention to.”
Littleton, which comes in averaging 36.9 points per game, aims to stay on the ground to carry out its attack.
With 1,000-yard rusher Brad Klock in the backfield along with Mitch Beaudoin and Kevin Frisoli, the Tigers can ground and pound opponents. The running backs don’t make that possible by themselves as Littleton boasts an experienced offensive line.
“The strength of our offense this year is bar-none our offensive line,” Littleton coach Michael Lynn said. “It’s the best offensive line I’ve had in my 16 years here as head coach. We have five seniors across the front, plus our tight end is a senior.”
Each team has the capability to score at will, especially Middleboro, which ripped off four touchdowns of at least 45 yards in its past two playoff games.
Despite the high-octane offenses, neither side wants this to turn into a shootout.
“We want to control the ball when we’re on offense and play great defense,” Lynn said. “Certainly Middleboro gives you lots of challenges defensively with a wide-open, spread attack.”