Streaking Natick set for KP
Looks to oust defending D2 state champ
Natick will attempt to accomplish what nine previous opponents have failed to do – defeat King Philip in the postseason. The two schools will meet in a Division 2 South semifinal tonight in Natick (7 p.m. kickoff). The Redhawks have won six straight since an 0-2 start, but head coach Mark Mortarelli knows this is a big challenge for his squad. “King Philip is exactly what we’ve seen in the past,” Mortarelli said. “They are physical, they like to run the ball and play very good defense.” Shane Frommer turned in an All-Scholastic season for King Philip last season, but Ryan Halliday has been a solid replacement at running back. The hallmark of consistency, Halliday has run for 100 yards in all eight games, amassing 986 yards and 12 touchdowns on 200 carries. If you try to load the box, Robert Jarest can make you pay through the air. He has completed 64-of-105 passes for 817 yards and nine touchdowns, with David Morganelli serving as his top receiving threat. Natick is averaging 34 points a game in its recent winning streak. Sophomore quarterback Will Lederman has blossomed, completing 75-of-122 passes for 1,425 yards and 17 touchdowns. The leading receivers are Max Ferrucci (26 catches for 694 yards and nine touchdowns) and Angel Lebron (29 receptions, 476 yards and six scores). Jalyn Aponte is the featured back, averaging nearly seven yards a carry (110 carries, 736 yards and seven touchdowns). “They have talent in the skill positions and that creates matchup problems,” said King Philip coach Brian Lee. “We’re going to have to play our best ballgame of the year to beat them.” The winner of the King Philip-Natick contest will take on either No. 8 Mansfield or Barnstable for the Div. 2 South title next week. Mansfield and King Philip played one of the best games of the season Sept. 28 with the Hornets prevailing, 28-27. Four teams in the Sweet 16 comprise the final four in Div. 1 North. Topranked Everett continues its quest for a three-peat when it hosts No. 12 Central Catholic in one semifinal, while No. 6 Acton-Boxboro travels to thirdranked St. John’s Prep in the other semifinal. No. 14 Reading takes on No. 7 Lincoln-Sudbury in a Div. 2 North semifinal. The teams share identical 7-1 records with the loss in both cases coming at the hands of ActonBoxboro. A showdown for the top spot in the ISL-7 pits undefeated St. Sebastian’s against a very good Belmont Hill squad. BB&N travels to Governor’s Academy in what has to be considered a mustwin for the Governors to keep their hopes for a NEPSAC bowl alive. That game will played at Triton today at 3 p.m.