Overview
With all due respect to all 10 of the other teams in the league, October 18th was a date circled well before the season started because of the big match up between Mansfield and King Philip.
Both teams stand at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Hockomock Kelley-Rex division and are top two teams in our Hock 5 Football Rankings. With a win, Mansfield will win the Kelley-Rex division while a win for King Philip will put them in the drivers seat of the division heading into their last game against Attleboro.
Last year, the Hornets beat the Warriors 46-33 and had one of the craziest plays of the entire season when Brendan Hill knocked down a Kyle Wisnieski pass - that was headed out of bounds - into the hands of Michael Hershamn for a touchdown. In last year's game, it was the Mansfield rushing game and the KP passing game that worked for their offenses as Robbie Rapoza & Kevin Makie combined for over 350 yards and KP's JJ Dillion threw four touchdowns.
This year, it's going to be a battle of the league's top scoring offense in Mansfield (35.2 points per game - and the league's best defense in points allowed - just 7.6 allowed per game. The game will kick off from King Philip at 7:00.
Both teams stand at 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the Hockomock Kelley-Rex division and are top two teams in our Hock 5 Football Rankings. With a win, Mansfield will win the Kelley-Rex division while a win for King Philip will put them in the drivers seat of the division heading into their last game against Attleboro.
Last year, the Hornets beat the Warriors 46-33 and had one of the craziest plays of the entire season when Brendan Hill knocked down a Kyle Wisnieski pass - that was headed out of bounds - into the hands of Michael Hershamn for a touchdown. In last year's game, it was the Mansfield rushing game and the KP passing game that worked for their offenses as Robbie Rapoza & Kevin Makie combined for over 350 yards and KP's JJ Dillion threw four touchdowns.
This year, it's going to be a battle of the league's top scoring offense in Mansfield (35.2 points per game - and the league's best defense in points allowed - just 7.6 allowed per game. The game will kick off from King Philip at 7:00.
What to Expect
From Mansfield: The Hornets have scored 176 points in five games this season, which is a touchdown more than any other team in the league so far. And that's probably about where head coach Mike Redding and the Mansfield squad expected to be at this point. It was clear that the offense was going to be the main weapon this year and it has not disappointed.
But to be honest, the Hornets have surprised a lot of people in different aspects of the game. Redding told HockomockSports.com in the season preview that he expected to throw for more yards this season than rushing yards. Through five games, he's not wrong with 1,134 passing yards and 773 rushing yards, but the rushing game has been far better than expected for Mansfield.
That's a good thing too as the Hornets have been able to establish a run game that is needed to open up their rushing game. Quarterback Kyle Wisnieski has completed nearly 70% of his passes while going over 1,100 yards with hitting 11 touchdowns this season. But he's added nearly 100 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. His main targets continue to be junior Brendan Hill (25 catches, 315 yards, 3 touchdowns) and senior Michael Hershman (16 catches, 330 yards, 3 touchdowns), but Miguel Villar-Perez - the team's leading rusher through five games - has become the third option for Wisnieski, mostly on screens and shuttle passes.
On the defense, it's a surprising name in sophomore Connor Finerty that has been a huge leader for the Hornets. Players have missed games for one reason or another, but Finerty has been a rock at the linebacker position for Mansfield. In the secondary, Aurien Dawkins has quickly become a staple for the Hornets. In just two games played, Dawkins has become the team leader in interceptions with 3 and has come up with a forced fumble.
Mansfield will look to their offense, who has become one of the best in the state, but will be faced against a stout defense. In the end, it might come down to the Hornet defense against the KP offense.
From King Philip: The Warriors have allowed only 38 points in five games this season, so defense is an obvious priority for coach Brian Lee and the offensive attack seems to be an extension of that style. King Philip is a throwback; a team that uses the power game and challenges its opponents physically at the line of scrimmage.
On offense, KP does not try to surprise teams with creative packages and multiple receiver sets, but instead beats teams at the line of scrimmage and uses the power running game of star tailbacks Joe Johnston and Christian Flaherty. That doesn’t make KP one-dimensional however as the talent of its running backs makes them a constant big play threat and over the past few weeks junior Mark Glebus has emerged as the change-up back. Glebus adds speed to the power game and a new look to the offense.
If Mansfield tries to load up at the line of scrimmage, don’t discount JJ Dillon and the play-action passing game finding openings in the secondary. Kyle Loewen emerged as the top target in the preseason, but it has been Johnston, Flaherty, and Glebus out of the backfield that has added another dimension that has been difficult to handle. It’s not simply a matter of throwing screens; KP also gets the backs down the field on the sidelines.
Defensively, KP has already made an impression on the league with two shutouts this season, although it would be fair to say that the Warriors have not faced an offense as complete as the Hornets. One thing that has allowed KP to be successful against spread offenses (Franklin and Westwood) is the speed and athleticism of its linebackers like captains Brett McEvoy and Johnston. Against Mansfield, the KP defense will need to stay on its receivers and will need to get pressure from the front line players such as Chris Winbourne or Jonathan Marcinkevicious.
The Warriors pride themselves on limiting opposition offenses, but this will be the most difficult test of the season. KP will know that it is going to need at least a few touchdowns to take home the victory.
But to be honest, the Hornets have surprised a lot of people in different aspects of the game. Redding told HockomockSports.com in the season preview that he expected to throw for more yards this season than rushing yards. Through five games, he's not wrong with 1,134 passing yards and 773 rushing yards, but the rushing game has been far better than expected for Mansfield.
That's a good thing too as the Hornets have been able to establish a run game that is needed to open up their rushing game. Quarterback Kyle Wisnieski has completed nearly 70% of his passes while going over 1,100 yards with hitting 11 touchdowns this season. But he's added nearly 100 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. His main targets continue to be junior Brendan Hill (25 catches, 315 yards, 3 touchdowns) and senior Michael Hershman (16 catches, 330 yards, 3 touchdowns), but Miguel Villar-Perez - the team's leading rusher through five games - has become the third option for Wisnieski, mostly on screens and shuttle passes.
On the defense, it's a surprising name in sophomore Connor Finerty that has been a huge leader for the Hornets. Players have missed games for one reason or another, but Finerty has been a rock at the linebacker position for Mansfield. In the secondary, Aurien Dawkins has quickly become a staple for the Hornets. In just two games played, Dawkins has become the team leader in interceptions with 3 and has come up with a forced fumble.
Mansfield will look to their offense, who has become one of the best in the state, but will be faced against a stout defense. In the end, it might come down to the Hornet defense against the KP offense.
From King Philip: The Warriors have allowed only 38 points in five games this season, so defense is an obvious priority for coach Brian Lee and the offensive attack seems to be an extension of that style. King Philip is a throwback; a team that uses the power game and challenges its opponents physically at the line of scrimmage.
On offense, KP does not try to surprise teams with creative packages and multiple receiver sets, but instead beats teams at the line of scrimmage and uses the power running game of star tailbacks Joe Johnston and Christian Flaherty. That doesn’t make KP one-dimensional however as the talent of its running backs makes them a constant big play threat and over the past few weeks junior Mark Glebus has emerged as the change-up back. Glebus adds speed to the power game and a new look to the offense.
If Mansfield tries to load up at the line of scrimmage, don’t discount JJ Dillon and the play-action passing game finding openings in the secondary. Kyle Loewen emerged as the top target in the preseason, but it has been Johnston, Flaherty, and Glebus out of the backfield that has added another dimension that has been difficult to handle. It’s not simply a matter of throwing screens; KP also gets the backs down the field on the sidelines.
Defensively, KP has already made an impression on the league with two shutouts this season, although it would be fair to say that the Warriors have not faced an offense as complete as the Hornets. One thing that has allowed KP to be successful against spread offenses (Franklin and Westwood) is the speed and athleticism of its linebackers like captains Brett McEvoy and Johnston. Against Mansfield, the KP defense will need to stay on its receivers and will need to get pressure from the front line players such as Chris Winbourne or Jonathan Marcinkevicious.
The Warriors pride themselves on limiting opposition offenses, but this will be the most difficult test of the season. KP will know that it is going to need at least a few touchdowns to take home the victory.
Poll
Game of the Week - The Pick
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com
It's a class of styles between Mansfield and King Philip on Friday night and that's sure to make for a great game. It's going to great see what budges first when it comes to Mansfields's offense and King Philip's defense but there are two units that aren't getting much attention. The Warrior offense has been impressive in their own right averaging over 31 points a game and the Hornet defense has been strong as well, giving up just 18 points a game. This is the kind of game that a player steps up and makes a name for himself, but who will it be?
The Pick: King Philip 28, Mansfield 24
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
The key to the game will be whether or not the KP running game can be consistently successful to help keep the Mansfield offense off the field. As good as the Warriors are on the defensive side of the ball (among the best in the state), they haven't faced an offense with nearly as many weapons as the Hornets will throw out there. I think this is going to come down to the final possession and the Hornets will have just enough to pull out the win, but it's really a toss-up and could be a classic on Friday night.
The Pick: Mansfield 28, King Philip 27
Danny Ventura, Boston Herald High Schools
The King Philip defense, which has been great so far behind LB Brett McEvoy, will be tested against a Hornet offense which has shown the ability to both run and throw the ball. At the end of the day, that's going to be the difference.
The Pick: Mansfield 20, King Philip 13
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
It's strength (Mansfield's offense) versus strength (King Philip's defense) in this one. The old saying goes that defense wins championships, but I'm not sure there's a defense in the state that can slow the Hornets' offensive arsenal. But if there is one, it's KP. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. The KP rushing attack can keep the high-flying Hornets on the bench if they get strong performances from their backfield of Joe Johnston and Christian Flaherty to create long drives.One turnover and a whole lot of ball control could bring the Warriors a win. Milton held the Mansfield offense to "just" 21 points in week two, so the Hornets can be slowed. During writing this, I almost talked myself into picking King Philip, but Mansfield is just too good. The Hornets overcome a slow offensive first half and find their groove in the third quarter, but the Warriors will be neck and neck with them all game.
The Pick: Mansfield 22, King Philip 20
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
For all of Mansfield's prowess on offense, averaging upwards of 385 yards per game, King Philip has the right kind of defense to muck this one up and make things sloppy. Mansfield coach Mike Redding has continued to out-scheme his opponents all season long, including the season-opening upset of Dunbar (Md.), and I expect him to have continued success Friday night, but by no means will this be easy. Linebackers Brett McEvoy and Joe Johnston bring a nastiness to what is normally a pretty tricky Warriors defense to handle, and I'm sure they are going to deploy a few looks Mansfield has yet to see all year. Still in the end, as they have all year, the Hornets are going to make KP defend every quadrant of the field, stretching you thin with long targets Michael Hershman and Brendan Hill, as well as pass-catching scatback Miguel Villar-Perez. Somehow, some way, Mansfield does just enough. As usual.
The Pick: Mansfield 13, King Philip 6
Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald High Schools
Classic battle between Mansfield's high-octane offense and King Philip's brick wall defense. A year ago, the Hornets were able to turn this game into a track meet. KP doesn't want to let that happen and will try and control the clock with its three-pronged rushing attack. That strategy is sound when the Warriors have a lead, but if Mansfield is able to get going in a hurry, Coach Brian Lee is going to have to shackles off of quarterback J.J. Dillon, who threw four TD passes in last year's late comeback bid. Ground and pound hasn't worked for KP in the past matchups and usually Dillon isn't let loose until its too late. Offense sells tickets...and wins this game.
The Pick: Mansfield 38, King Philip 28
It's a class of styles between Mansfield and King Philip on Friday night and that's sure to make for a great game. It's going to great see what budges first when it comes to Mansfields's offense and King Philip's defense but there are two units that aren't getting much attention. The Warrior offense has been impressive in their own right averaging over 31 points a game and the Hornet defense has been strong as well, giving up just 18 points a game. This is the kind of game that a player steps up and makes a name for himself, but who will it be?
The Pick: King Philip 28, Mansfield 24
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
The key to the game will be whether or not the KP running game can be consistently successful to help keep the Mansfield offense off the field. As good as the Warriors are on the defensive side of the ball (among the best in the state), they haven't faced an offense with nearly as many weapons as the Hornets will throw out there. I think this is going to come down to the final possession and the Hornets will have just enough to pull out the win, but it's really a toss-up and could be a classic on Friday night.
The Pick: Mansfield 28, King Philip 27
Danny Ventura, Boston Herald High Schools
The King Philip defense, which has been great so far behind LB Brett McEvoy, will be tested against a Hornet offense which has shown the ability to both run and throw the ball. At the end of the day, that's going to be the difference.
The Pick: Mansfield 20, King Philip 13
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
It's strength (Mansfield's offense) versus strength (King Philip's defense) in this one. The old saying goes that defense wins championships, but I'm not sure there's a defense in the state that can slow the Hornets' offensive arsenal. But if there is one, it's KP. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. The KP rushing attack can keep the high-flying Hornets on the bench if they get strong performances from their backfield of Joe Johnston and Christian Flaherty to create long drives.One turnover and a whole lot of ball control could bring the Warriors a win. Milton held the Mansfield offense to "just" 21 points in week two, so the Hornets can be slowed. During writing this, I almost talked myself into picking King Philip, but Mansfield is just too good. The Hornets overcome a slow offensive first half and find their groove in the third quarter, but the Warriors will be neck and neck with them all game.
The Pick: Mansfield 22, King Philip 20
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
For all of Mansfield's prowess on offense, averaging upwards of 385 yards per game, King Philip has the right kind of defense to muck this one up and make things sloppy. Mansfield coach Mike Redding has continued to out-scheme his opponents all season long, including the season-opening upset of Dunbar (Md.), and I expect him to have continued success Friday night, but by no means will this be easy. Linebackers Brett McEvoy and Joe Johnston bring a nastiness to what is normally a pretty tricky Warriors defense to handle, and I'm sure they are going to deploy a few looks Mansfield has yet to see all year. Still in the end, as they have all year, the Hornets are going to make KP defend every quadrant of the field, stretching you thin with long targets Michael Hershman and Brendan Hill, as well as pass-catching scatback Miguel Villar-Perez. Somehow, some way, Mansfield does just enough. As usual.
The Pick: Mansfield 13, King Philip 6
Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald High Schools
Classic battle between Mansfield's high-octane offense and King Philip's brick wall defense. A year ago, the Hornets were able to turn this game into a track meet. KP doesn't want to let that happen and will try and control the clock with its three-pronged rushing attack. That strategy is sound when the Warriors have a lead, but if Mansfield is able to get going in a hurry, Coach Brian Lee is going to have to shackles off of quarterback J.J. Dillon, who threw four TD passes in last year's late comeback bid. Ground and pound hasn't worked for KP in the past matchups and usually Dillon isn't let loose until its too late. Offense sells tickets...and wins this game.
The Pick: Mansfield 38, King Philip 28
| HockomockSports.com Picks | ||||||||||
| Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Michael Antonellis |
Cameron Merritt |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
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| Game of the Week Staff |  |
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| Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Stoughton Media Access |
The Enterprise |
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| Mansfield @ KP Friday, 7:00 |
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| Attleboro @ Taunton Friday, 4:00 |
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| Franklin @ North Attleboro Friday, 7:00 |
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| Foxboro @ Canton Friday, 7:00 |
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| Oliver Ames @ Milford Friday, 7:00 |
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| Sharon @ Stoughton Friday, 6:00 |
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| Total | Lanigan 12-6 |
Perry 15-3 |
Antonellis 14-4 |
Merritt 0-0 |
Pickette 16-2 |
McDaniel 15-3 |
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