KIPP wastes little time making mark
As the KIPP players celebrated their first Division 8 North title in just its third year as a varsity program Friday night, head coach Jim Rabbitt stood by and took it all in.
He saw a group of young men, many of whom were there at the start and were on the receiving end of several 30-point losses. Those same kids never let the rough start get them down and now they were running around Manning Field enjoying the fruits of victory.
“I remember it took a long time for me to get the championship trophy because the kids didn’t want to let it go,” Rabbitt said with a laugh. “I was so happy for the kids because this night was two and a half years in the making. They went out and played a great game against Keefe Tech (a 49-13 win), executed the game plan on offense, defense and special teams and it was great to see.”
KIPP athletic director Anthony Grimaldi had no visions of immediate grandeur when he started the program three years ago. What he did learn right away was the man he entrusted the football program to was the perfect choice to build a team from the bottom up.
“What jumps out right away is the passion and enthusiasm Jim has for the game,” Grimaldi said. “Those things are contagious and the kids wanted to be a part of that. He was the perfect role model for them.”
The football fortunes opened well in 2017 with a 28-0 win over Atlantis Charter, another program that was playing in its first game. Reality struck quickly as KIPP lost five straight games by more than three touchdowns, before ending the drought with a win over Burke.
The following season, KIPP doubled its win total, but more importantly, was competitive in most of its games. With the bulk of the squad coming up, there were plenty of reasons for optimism in year three.
There was running back Danyul Oluwasuyi, a powerful two-way lineman Mike Brice, dependable linebacker Dave Filias and explosive playmaker Taj King back for starters. Quarterback Piero Canales appeared ready to take the next step and becoming a leader of the offense.
KIPP started this season with a loss to Div. 7 North playoff finalist Manchester-Essex, followed by a win over Chelsea. It was the third game of the year in which Rabbitt points to as a turning point.
Nashoba Tech dominated in each way, sending KIPP back to Lynn with a crushing 43-14 loss. The way the KIPP players handled the setback was a defining moment for Rabbitt and his coaching staff.
“We talked after the game about how the kids needed to change the culture,” Rabbitt said. “The kids just seemed to bond after that. Our practices that week were good, the kids were showing up earlier and leaving later. I could see with each day, they were getting better.”
KIPP ended the season on a four-game winning streak to earn its first postseason tournament. They quickly showed that just making the playoffs wasn’t enough as they dispatched of Charlestown (35-6) and Roxbury Prep (19-2) to get to Friday’s sectional final against Keefe Tech.
“Any team that can beat a Lynn Tech has to be good, so they had our respect,” Rabbitt said. “We talked all week about getting off to a good start. We just went out there and put it all together.”
Something that happened quicker than many expected.
Sweet 16
1. CATHOLIC MEMORIAL (10-0) — Knights turn in a dominant performance to defeat Franklin to defend their Division 1 South sectional title.
2. MANSFIELD (9-1) — Big time effort on both sides of the ball propels the Hornets to Gillette Stadium once again.
3. ST. JOHN’S PREP (9-1) — Defending Division 1 state champions don’t look like they are in a hurry to relinquish the throne any time soon.
4. CENTRAL CATHOLIC (8-2) — Raiders just can’t get over the St. John’s Prep hump the last two years.
5. MELROSE (10-0) — Red Raiders made a loud statement by ending Revere’s undefeated season, rolling to a 41-7 victory.
6. NATICK (9-1) — After the disappointing loss to Mansfield, Redhawks have to gear up for a Framingham team that beat them last Thanskgiving.
7. TEWKSBURY (9-1) — Boy the Redmen sure know how to survive in the close contests.
8. DUXBURY (8-2) — Dragons prove to be the best in the Patriot Keenan, in both the regular season as well as the postseason.
9. WELLESLEY (8-2) — Very good bounceback win for the Raiders against a traditionally tough King Philip squad.
10. ANDOVER (7-3) — I dare anyone to go up to E.J. Perry and any member of the Golden Warrior squad and suggest Friday’s win over Everett was in what some call a “meaningless game.”
11. EVERETT (7-3) — Another heartbreaker for the Crimson Tide against a Merrimack Valley Conference team.
12. ASHLAND (10-0) — Dominic Cavanagh did it all on both sides of the ball and the Clockers keep on ticking.
13. HOLLISTON (9-1) — Panthers didn’t let the Ashland loss get in the way of their goal of winning a sectional title.
14. REVERE (9-1) — Many of Melrose’s prior opponents can relate to what happened to the Patriots on Friday night.
15. CANTON (9-1) — Super Bowl hopes went down the drain against a talented Holliston squad.
16. KING PHILIP (7-3) — Warriors went through a tough two-game grind and now must get ready for Franklin on Turkey Day.