Same as it ever was
Holliston doesn’t skip a beat
SWEET 16 Dan Ventura
Nick Athy wasn’t walking through the door. Neither was Zach Elkinson, Joe Bellomo or a host of talented seniors who led Holliston to the Division 4 state championship last year. The Panthers were opening the year with Div. 6 title contender MillisHopedale and perennial power Duxbury, and the recipe for early-season struggles were all there.
Holliston just didn’t buy into the potential doom and gloom. Instead, the Panthers edged Millis-Hopedale, 22-21, then rallied late to take care of Duxbury, 39-35.
“To be honest, I knew we would be competitive,” Holliston coach Todd Kiley said. “We did have some inexperienced kids coming in, but this group worked their tails off over the summer, and we have a group of seniors who have a lot of confidence.”
Jack Barrett has taken over at quarterback for Athy and the transition has been seamless. He has completed 26-of-47 passes for 386 yards and three touchdowns, while leading the team in rushing with 187 yards and three scores (two coming in the fourthquarter rally against Duxbury). Classmates Brady Wells and Tucker Ciarcello have filled the void at wide receiver nicely, combining for 18 catches and six scores.
The Panthers had to be on their game against a high-powered Duxbury team. Kiley knew the Dragons were good, but couldn’t fully appreciate them until he was able to relax Saturday morning and watch a replay of the game.
“I do get a little emotional during the game and things are happening so quickly that you can’t enjoy anything that’s going on at the time,” Kiley said. “But Duxbury is a great team and they have some kids who can really make plays. It really was a great game.”
Sweet 16
(Last week’s ranking in parentheses.) 1. (1) XAVERIAN (2-0): Running back by committee worked well Friday night.
2. (2) ST. JOHN’S PREP (2-0): Ollie Football got it done down the stretch.
3. (3) MARSHFIELD (2-0): Rams enjoyed their home opener at the expense of Stoughton.
4. (4) BC HIGH (2-0): We think everyone but Jon Bartlett and Joe Gaff got carries Friday night.
5. (5) EVERETT (1-1): Crimson Tide had to travel more than 100 miles roundtrip to get their first win.
6. (6) BROCKTON (2-0): Defense sliding under the radar so far.
7. (8) WALPOLE (2-0): Good challenge upcoming from upstart Milton.
8. (9) NORTH ATTLEBORO (2-0): You won’t find any 2,000-yard runners here, but a solid calvary of backs.
9. (16) HOLLISTON (2-0): In Todd They Trust is working very well in Panther Country.
10. (7) DUXBURY (1-1): Dragons showed a lot in taking Holliston to the wire without some key parts.
11. (11) ANDOVER (2-0): Air Perry gets a chance to strut his stuff against BC High this week.
12. (12) READING (1-1): Bounceback win over Masconomet to get to .500.
13. (13) CENTRAL CATHOLIC (1-1): As tough a loss as the Raiders have suffered in years.
14. (14) TEWSKBURY (2-0): Getting it done on the defensive end as usual.
15. (10) BRIDGEWATER-RAYNHAM (0-2): Still not ready to give up on the Trojans just yet.
16. (15) EAST BRIDGEWATER (2-0): Received a stiff challenge from Hanover before prevailing.