Red Rocketeers stay unbeaten
DeMattio rushes for 2 TDs
NORTH ATTLEBORO — Saturday’s game between North Attleboro and Stoughton was not going to be won on style points. No, it was not one for fancy plays or gaudy statistics.
But in what some would call an ugly contest, North Attleboro fought its way for a 14-6 win, and the undefeated Red Rocketeers will say there is plenty of beauty in that.
The Red Rocketeers (4-0) clinched at least a share of the Hockomock League’s Davenport Division title. For a program coming off its first losing season in 27 years, North feels it has restored order.
“These kids were really motivated the whole offseason,” North Attleboro coach Don Johnson said. “They wanted to get North Attleboro back to where it should be. I couldn’t be prouder of them. They did everything we’ve asked of them for 15, 16 months now.
It’s been awesome. It’s a great group of kids.”
Junior quarterback Tyler DeMattio rushed for two touchdowns, and had 129
yards on 26 carries. He also passed for 41 yards, but was most effective as a runner, despite injuring his ankle.
“He’s incredible,” John
son said. “He’s the guy you want in your foxhole. There’s no stop to him. He’s just constantly going hard in everything that he does. He’s pound for pound the toughest kid I’ve seen in a long time.”
“We did the little things we needed to win,” DeMattio said. “We made stops on defense. Shout out to the defense. It was the MVP of that game. We could not have done it without them.”
Although North led in the second half, 14-0, Stoughton’s offense finally came to life late. On the first play of
the fourth quarter, quarterback John Burke found Christian Ais wide open in the left flat for a 42-yard touchdown reception. Although the extra point failed, Stoughton had life back within one score.
From there, the North defense bent, but did not break. Linebackers Tyler Bannon and Greg Berthiaume recovered fumbles in the late stages to help preserve the lead.
Stoughton (3-1) had one last chance after a snap went over the North punter’s head with 8 seconds to
go. But the Black Knights could not score on two throws to the end zone from the Red Rocketeers 20, and North Attleboro survived.
Neither offense found rhythm early, but North parlayed good field position into points. On a drive that started at the Stoughton 44, DeMattio ran it in from a yard out for the 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
The next drive started at the Stoughton 41, and DeMattio struck again, this time from 5 yards out, to help push the lead to 14-0.