McHugh helps NA halt KP streak
NORTH ATTLEBORO — North Attleboro rolled out its new playing surface and put an end to the state’s longest winning streak.
The Red Rocketeers defeated King Philip, 14-7, last night on the new turf of a re- furbished Raymond Beaupre Field and brought an end to the Warriors’ unbeaten run after 25 straight games.
Brendan McHugh provided all the offense the Red Rocketeers needed as the senior ran 16 times for 88 yards. He accounted for both touchdowns on the ground, including the game-winner with 1:33 left.
With the score tied 7-7, McHugh ran the ball the last three times of North Attleboro’s final series and finally broke through down the left sideline. McHugh sprinted down the sideline, inches from the chalk, after breaking a few tackles. He kept his best moves for last with the 33-yard touchdown run to put the Red Rocketeers in the lead.
“I have no idea what happened as I was staring at the ground thinking I was going to fall, but I stayed on my feet and just got to the end zone and it worked out,” said McHugh. “This is a huge win and with my senior year we wanted to get them and we got them. Their defense is legit and we grinded out a win.”
The nonleague win was the first in several years for North Attleboro against the Warriors. King Philip won back-to-back state titles in 2017 and 2018 without losing a contest along the way.
“We learned so much about our team. Playing a team like (North Attleboro) in these conditions — they grew up fast (last night),” said King Philip coach Brian Lee. “We knew we were going to lean on our defense, as that was our strong point and on offense we are going to have to learn to trust more.”
North Attleboro finally broke through in this defensive battle with a scamper off right tackle from McHugh for 16 yards with 19 seconds left in the first quarter.
King Philip answered with the first play of its third series as Ryan Halliday broke free for an 80-yard touchdown run to tie things up as the first quarter expired.
The momentum shifted to the Warriors as Deric Casado picked up an interception with a onehanded grab.
The Warriors were unable to take advantage of the turnover and just couldn’t find the end zone despite Halliday finishing with a game-high 167 yards rushing on 22 carries.
“It seemed like we had to work hard and earn it every single down on both sides of the football,” said North Attleboro coach Don Johnson. “(McHugh) is a threat to break anything at anytime, so there are times we just say: Give it to McHugh. It doesn’t even matter what play, because he can create so much on his own.”