Mashpee looks for title 3-peat
It’s one thing to have a mammoth, all-senior offense that has steamrolled its way over some of the best programs in the state the last two years, but what happens when Mashpee puts a back as talented as Devaun Ford behind that people moving machine?
Well, it’s enough to cause even the best of coaches a few sleepless nights.
That’s the dilemma facing Blackstone Valley Tech coach Jim Archibald as he prepares for Saturday night’s Division 7 Super Bowl against defending champ Mashpee at Gillette Stadium.
“They are a lot bigger than us and that running back, Ford, is like no one we have seen in Central Mass., that’s for sure,” said Archibald succinctly.
It’s the third straight trip to Gillette for Mashpee (12-0), which has won 14 straight playoff games and 20 games overall. Despite missing three games, the elusive Ford still has rushed for 1,057 yards and averaged 7.5 yards a carry with 15 touchdowns this season. The junior carried the ball 36 times for 256 yards and a pair of scores as the Falcons outlasted St. Mary’s, 28-20, in the state semifinals.
Mashpee’s offensive line averages better than 250 pounds across the board and is headlined by one of the best linemen in the state in 6-foot4, 280-pound tackle Ben Bohnenberger, who is off to Colgate next year.
“This is the biggest offensive line that we have had in our school’s history, and not only are they big, but they are mobile,” said Mashpee coach Matt Triveri.
Jake Johnston (16 TDs) has taken over for fouryear standout Nick Carpenter at quarterback, and Triveri can’t say enough about the job the senior has done behind center. Johnson has three big targets to look for in Cam Kergo (6-foot-1), Mike Barrows (6-4) and versatile tight end Xavier Gonsalves (6-3). Gonsalves also has 19 sacks from his defensive end slot on defense.
It will be the first trip to Gillette for Valley Tech (111), but the Beavers are no strangers to Super Bowls, having won titles in 2007 and 2012 before the MIAA playoff realignment. The Beavers, who edged Wahconah 21-18 in the state semis, rested the bulk of their starters on Thanksgiving against a big and talented Nipmuc squad and were handed their lone setback of the season.
Quarterback Reece Hendriks, who missed three games with a broken collarbone, returned for the sectional final. Hendriks has two capable backs in Conner Polymeros (nine TDs) and shifty JD Antaya. Tight end Jordyn Amero and wideout Brandon Lira are Hendriks’ two favorite targets in the passing game.
Defensively, Archibald is hoping that nose tackle Ethan Blake and ends Nick Reed and Amero can use their speed and strength to get under the blocks of Mashpee’s towering offensive line. Senior captain Sam Niro has been a force at outside linebacker.
“They are very physical and well coached,” said Triveri. “Defensively, they are very good. They are dominant and tackle very well. They may be the best defense we see all year.”