Scouting Report
Attleboro vs. New Bedford, 7:00
New Bedford Scouting Report
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
On paper New Bedford is far from a scary team. The Whalers finished the year 3-4, with all their losses coming by at least two scores. But last Saturday in their 21-19 upset of Brockton to earn the Big three's automatic qualifier playoff spot, New Bedford revealed why they aren't an ideal matchup for any top seed.
The Whalers had nothing to lose, with everyone penciling in Brockton as the Big Three's playoff team, and they played like it. The Whalers pulled out all the stops, using a bevy of gutsy play-calls and gadget plays to score 21 consecutive second half points last week. Down 13-0, New Bedford opened the second half with an onside kick, which they recovered. On their next series, the Whalers inserted back-up freshman quarterback Brendan Costa to run a Statue of Liberty-esque play action that netted the Whalers a 33-yard gain. Despite failing to complete a pass in the first half, Whaler quarterback Chandler Debrosse and coach Dennis Golden weren't afraid to air it out in the second. Debrosse had a great connection with receiver Kevin Nunes, who Debrosse connected with on two touchdown passes including a 44-yard go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth. The 44-yard touchdown put the Whalers ahead 19-13 with just over four minutes left. The Whalers lined up in a kicking formation, but it was a fake and Debrosse connected with a wide-open Nunes for the two-point try that would seal the deal. That list doesn't even include in the first half when the Whalers attempted a fake punt on fourth-and-6 from their own 46. The Whalers split time at running between sophomore Jonathan Moras, whose more of a bruising back, and Hector Diaz, more of a scat back.
Defensively, the Whalers showed the ability to make halftime adjustments, but Brockton (a notorious running team) was able to burn them with the pass consistently in the second
Attleboro should and will be heavy favorites in this one, but New Bedford will try a few plays that will either make you scratch your head or hold your breath.
Mansfield vs. Wellesley, 7:00
Wellesley Scouting Report
Greg Story, Wellesley Media
Fans should expect a shootout Friday night when the Mansfield Hornets take on the Wellesley Raiders. Wellesley, averaging just over 30 points a game, are lead offensively by Quarterback John Fadule, a Milton Academy transfer with a rocket arm who is just as capable of beating you on the ground if he feels pressure. A name you’ll hear a ton on the receiving end of his passes is junior Jack Dolan who has impressed all season long with his ability to create separation and make the occasional catch that will leave your jaw on the ground. While the Raider offense will rack up most of it’s yards through the air, don’t sleep on the ground game. TJ Noonan is one of the more underrated backs in the Bay State Conference, and may be among the toughest to bring down.
Wellesley put up nice efforts against Walpole and Natick, but the Raiders are still searching for that signature win like they had over Natick in 2012, which may have been the biggest upset in the state last year. While I still expect Mansfield to advance, they’ll be in for a long night if they take the Raiders lightly.
King Philip @ Natick, 7:00
Natick Scouting Report
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
For all the praise we’ve heaped on the Redhawks for such a dramatic, thrilling victory last Friday, by all accounts quarterback Troy Flutie carried the team on his most of the night. At times his offensive line was able to buy him extra time, but other times the Boston College commit was creating it himself. Seemingly every opponent goes into games thinking they have the kid scouted well, instructing their ends to play wide techniques and making their scout quarterback run in circles. And then he does something crazy to keep them on their toes, and abandon that strategy. Basically, he is the high school equivalent of Johnny Manziel, Seneca Wallace, Joe Hamilton, Eric Crouch, Randall Cunningham, or basically any other college quarterback who earned his keep basically running for his life.
The Redhawks like to stretch their receivers at wide enough depths to command man-to-man coverage, then exploit mismatches from there, which is probably why six different receivers have caught touchdown passes from Flutie this season. Some of these mismatches have come at the expense of linebackers, but I’m curious to see what game plan they draw up here, because they have yet to face a linebacking corps as talented as KP and they know it. In the running game, keep an eye on sophomore Chad Kidd, who guts out the tough yardage in between tackles when they call inside zone plays.
Sharon @ Plymouth South, 7:00
Plymouth South Scouting Report
Scott Barboza, ESPNBoston High Schools
The Panthers are no strangers to the postseason, having advanced to a Super Bowl semifinal game last year against Natick, in a game that was better known for its post-game controversy. But the core remains the same for Plymouth South with senior running back Dylan Oxsen again among the statewide leaders in touchdowns this season. Oxsen has a talented line in front of him with senior left tackle Shaun Duncombe (6-3, 250 lbs.), a Bryant commit, paving the way. The Panthers run the ball out of a plethora of Pistol looks, including the "Diamond" formation and other multi-back sets. As the offense suggests, Plymouth South is a mix of power and misdirection that is difficult to adjust to and diagnose.
Oliver Ames vs. Medfield, 7:00
Medfield Scouting Report
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
The Medfield Warriors enter the playoff as the no. 8 seed with a record of 3-4 on the season, and currently on a three-game losing streak. Medfield is not a particularly big team up front, which could be an issue against the speed and size of the Oliver Ames defensive and offensive lines, but they do have speed and versatility at the skill positions. Senior Tommy Sears is the main weapon and someone that head coach Erik Ormberg tries to get the ball as often as possible. He will start at wideout, but will occasionally switch with junior Steven Ledogar at quarterback depending on the set. Ledogar can make plays with his legs, but is not consistently accurate as a passer. Senior running back Zach Demello is the team's leading rusher and is quick enough to cause problems if he can get to the edge. Matt Patry has developed into a consistent receiver and also a ball-hawking defensive back and is helped out on 'D' by Sears and Ledogar. Junior Joseph Davanage leads the linebacking corps, but a lot of the players on the line play both sides and could wear down against bigger teams. Medfield has potential, but has struggled with turnovers and finishing games this season.
Stoughton vs. Hingham, 6:00
Hingham Scouting Report
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
Don't overlook Hingham because of their 3-4 record. All four of the Harbormen's losses came to teams with winning records. The only game they were blown out in was an 18-point loss to Oliver Ames in week two. Despite losing quarterback Joe Spaziani to injury, who Stoughton coach Greg Burke said was probably Hingham's best player, Hingham nearly beat state powerhouse Duxbury (had a 14-0 in the first quarter, lost 30-26), playoff-bound Silver Lake (31-28) and 4-3 Quincy (21-14). Caleb Brodie took the reigns under center and did an admirable job. Stoughton's biggest task will be slowing the Harbormen's slippery running back Sam Benger. The back, listed at 5-8, 165 pounds, found the end-zone 12 times in the first six games. The Harbormen are also a strong road team, with all wins coming on the road. Good offenses have had their way against Hingham's defense. They allowed at least 21 points in their first six games. The seventh was a 21-0 shutout of winless Whitman-Hanson.
North Attleboro vs. Walpole, 7:00
Walpole Scouting Report
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
In last week’s overtime loss to Natick, Walpole gassed the Redhawks’ defense early by stretching them horizontally, calling jet sweeps for sophomore scatback Lovevindjy Salvant or using his motion to set up dives to the inside. When that started to wear off, they fed the ball to sophomore horse Steve Cuqua, from both the fullback and tailback positions, and he put on a show (44 carries, 308 yards, 6 TD). And while Walpole coach Barry Greener joked after the game “he’s ready for the trauma unit right now”, Cuqua is a reliable force both running and blocking – Salvant’s 55-yard TD scamper in the third quarter was sprung by Cuqua’s kick-out block near the sideline. And even yet, senior captain Connor Moriarty (ankle) may be back this week, giving the Rebels a three-headed monster back there. Defensively, this is a good group up front, with Nick Cordopatri and Noah Kung demonstrating good hand-to-hand combat skills to apply consistent pressure. Where I think the Red Rocketeers can do damage is in the passing game – against a banged-up secondary, Natick’s Troy Flutie threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns.
New Bedford Scouting Report
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
On paper New Bedford is far from a scary team. The Whalers finished the year 3-4, with all their losses coming by at least two scores. But last Saturday in their 21-19 upset of Brockton to earn the Big three's automatic qualifier playoff spot, New Bedford revealed why they aren't an ideal matchup for any top seed.
The Whalers had nothing to lose, with everyone penciling in Brockton as the Big Three's playoff team, and they played like it. The Whalers pulled out all the stops, using a bevy of gutsy play-calls and gadget plays to score 21 consecutive second half points last week. Down 13-0, New Bedford opened the second half with an onside kick, which they recovered. On their next series, the Whalers inserted back-up freshman quarterback Brendan Costa to run a Statue of Liberty-esque play action that netted the Whalers a 33-yard gain. Despite failing to complete a pass in the first half, Whaler quarterback Chandler Debrosse and coach Dennis Golden weren't afraid to air it out in the second. Debrosse had a great connection with receiver Kevin Nunes, who Debrosse connected with on two touchdown passes including a 44-yard go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth. The 44-yard touchdown put the Whalers ahead 19-13 with just over four minutes left. The Whalers lined up in a kicking formation, but it was a fake and Debrosse connected with a wide-open Nunes for the two-point try that would seal the deal. That list doesn't even include in the first half when the Whalers attempted a fake punt on fourth-and-6 from their own 46. The Whalers split time at running between sophomore Jonathan Moras, whose more of a bruising back, and Hector Diaz, more of a scat back.
Defensively, the Whalers showed the ability to make halftime adjustments, but Brockton (a notorious running team) was able to burn them with the pass consistently in the second
Attleboro should and will be heavy favorites in this one, but New Bedford will try a few plays that will either make you scratch your head or hold your breath.
Mansfield vs. Wellesley, 7:00
Wellesley Scouting Report
Greg Story, Wellesley Media
Fans should expect a shootout Friday night when the Mansfield Hornets take on the Wellesley Raiders. Wellesley, averaging just over 30 points a game, are lead offensively by Quarterback John Fadule, a Milton Academy transfer with a rocket arm who is just as capable of beating you on the ground if he feels pressure. A name you’ll hear a ton on the receiving end of his passes is junior Jack Dolan who has impressed all season long with his ability to create separation and make the occasional catch that will leave your jaw on the ground. While the Raider offense will rack up most of it’s yards through the air, don’t sleep on the ground game. TJ Noonan is one of the more underrated backs in the Bay State Conference, and may be among the toughest to bring down.
Wellesley put up nice efforts against Walpole and Natick, but the Raiders are still searching for that signature win like they had over Natick in 2012, which may have been the biggest upset in the state last year. While I still expect Mansfield to advance, they’ll be in for a long night if they take the Raiders lightly.
King Philip @ Natick, 7:00
Natick Scouting Report
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
For all the praise we’ve heaped on the Redhawks for such a dramatic, thrilling victory last Friday, by all accounts quarterback Troy Flutie carried the team on his most of the night. At times his offensive line was able to buy him extra time, but other times the Boston College commit was creating it himself. Seemingly every opponent goes into games thinking they have the kid scouted well, instructing their ends to play wide techniques and making their scout quarterback run in circles. And then he does something crazy to keep them on their toes, and abandon that strategy. Basically, he is the high school equivalent of Johnny Manziel, Seneca Wallace, Joe Hamilton, Eric Crouch, Randall Cunningham, or basically any other college quarterback who earned his keep basically running for his life.
The Redhawks like to stretch their receivers at wide enough depths to command man-to-man coverage, then exploit mismatches from there, which is probably why six different receivers have caught touchdown passes from Flutie this season. Some of these mismatches have come at the expense of linebackers, but I’m curious to see what game plan they draw up here, because they have yet to face a linebacking corps as talented as KP and they know it. In the running game, keep an eye on sophomore Chad Kidd, who guts out the tough yardage in between tackles when they call inside zone plays.
Sharon @ Plymouth South, 7:00
Plymouth South Scouting Report
Scott Barboza, ESPNBoston High Schools
The Panthers are no strangers to the postseason, having advanced to a Super Bowl semifinal game last year against Natick, in a game that was better known for its post-game controversy. But the core remains the same for Plymouth South with senior running back Dylan Oxsen again among the statewide leaders in touchdowns this season. Oxsen has a talented line in front of him with senior left tackle Shaun Duncombe (6-3, 250 lbs.), a Bryant commit, paving the way. The Panthers run the ball out of a plethora of Pistol looks, including the "Diamond" formation and other multi-back sets. As the offense suggests, Plymouth South is a mix of power and misdirection that is difficult to adjust to and diagnose.
Oliver Ames vs. Medfield, 7:00
Medfield Scouting Report
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
The Medfield Warriors enter the playoff as the no. 8 seed with a record of 3-4 on the season, and currently on a three-game losing streak. Medfield is not a particularly big team up front, which could be an issue against the speed and size of the Oliver Ames defensive and offensive lines, but they do have speed and versatility at the skill positions. Senior Tommy Sears is the main weapon and someone that head coach Erik Ormberg tries to get the ball as often as possible. He will start at wideout, but will occasionally switch with junior Steven Ledogar at quarterback depending on the set. Ledogar can make plays with his legs, but is not consistently accurate as a passer. Senior running back Zach Demello is the team's leading rusher and is quick enough to cause problems if he can get to the edge. Matt Patry has developed into a consistent receiver and also a ball-hawking defensive back and is helped out on 'D' by Sears and Ledogar. Junior Joseph Davanage leads the linebacking corps, but a lot of the players on the line play both sides and could wear down against bigger teams. Medfield has potential, but has struggled with turnovers and finishing games this season.
Stoughton vs. Hingham, 6:00
Hingham Scouting Report
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
Don't overlook Hingham because of their 3-4 record. All four of the Harbormen's losses came to teams with winning records. The only game they were blown out in was an 18-point loss to Oliver Ames in week two. Despite losing quarterback Joe Spaziani to injury, who Stoughton coach Greg Burke said was probably Hingham's best player, Hingham nearly beat state powerhouse Duxbury (had a 14-0 in the first quarter, lost 30-26), playoff-bound Silver Lake (31-28) and 4-3 Quincy (21-14). Caleb Brodie took the reigns under center and did an admirable job. Stoughton's biggest task will be slowing the Harbormen's slippery running back Sam Benger. The back, listed at 5-8, 165 pounds, found the end-zone 12 times in the first six games. The Harbormen are also a strong road team, with all wins coming on the road. Good offenses have had their way against Hingham's defense. They allowed at least 21 points in their first six games. The seventh was a 21-0 shutout of winless Whitman-Hanson.
North Attleboro vs. Walpole, 7:00
Walpole Scouting Report
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
In last week’s overtime loss to Natick, Walpole gassed the Redhawks’ defense early by stretching them horizontally, calling jet sweeps for sophomore scatback Lovevindjy Salvant or using his motion to set up dives to the inside. When that started to wear off, they fed the ball to sophomore horse Steve Cuqua, from both the fullback and tailback positions, and he put on a show (44 carries, 308 yards, 6 TD). And while Walpole coach Barry Greener joked after the game “he’s ready for the trauma unit right now”, Cuqua is a reliable force both running and blocking – Salvant’s 55-yard TD scamper in the third quarter was sprung by Cuqua’s kick-out block near the sideline. And even yet, senior captain Connor Moriarty (ankle) may be back this week, giving the Rebels a three-headed monster back there. Defensively, this is a good group up front, with Nick Cordopatri and Noah Kung demonstrating good hand-to-hand combat skills to apply consistent pressure. Where I think the Red Rocketeers can do damage is in the passing game – against a banged-up secondary, Natick’s Troy Flutie threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns.
Poll
Game of the Week - The Picks
HockomockSports.com Picks | ||||||||||
Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Michael Antonellis |
Cameron Merritt |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
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Game of the Week Staff | ||||||||||
Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Stoughton Media Access |
The Enterprise |
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Attleboro vs. New Bedford Friday, 7:00 |
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Mansfield vs. Wellesley Friday, 7:00 |
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King Philip @ Natick Friday, 7:00 |
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Sharon @ Plymouth South Friday, 7:00 |
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Oliver Ames @ Medfield Friday, 7:00 |
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Stoughton vs. Hingham Friday, 6:00 |
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North Attleboro vs. Walpole Friday, 7:00 |
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Franklin vs. Framingham Friday, 7:00 |
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Taunton vs. Quincy Friday, 6:00 |
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Milford vs. Norwood Friday, 7:00 |
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Canton vs. Randolph Friday, 7:00 |
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Foxboro vs. Middleboro Saturday, 5:00 |
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Total | Lanigan 19-11 |
Perry 25-5 |
Antonellis 25-5 |
Merritt 10-2 |
Pickette 27-3 |
McDaniel 26-4 |
Previous Games of the Week