Overview
It's going to be a little strange on Friday night when North Attleboro and Attleboro face off under the lights.
First, there's just that - it's going to be a night game under the lights of brand-new Tozier-Cassidy Field. And then there's the date - this one is about a month and a half earlier than normal as the two traditional Thanksgiving rivals will meet on Friday night.
With the new MIAA playoff format in place, four of the six Hockomock league match ups this weekend wouldn't normally take place until Thanksgiving. Neighbor Bombardiers and Rocketeers will go head to head along with Stoughton/Canton, KP/Franklin, and OA/Sharon. Because Kelley-Rex and Davenport teams need to play all five of their divisional rivals, the Thanksgiving rivalry of Mansfield/Foxboro will wait until the holiday as they face off against the newest members of the Hock - Taunton and Milford.
Attleboro enters the game at 3-1, fresh off their first loss of the season, a 49-42 shootout defeat against Mansfield. North Attleboro is coming off their second straight loss after starting the season with two wins to level their record at 2-2.
But this is one of those rivalries that record doesn't matter and stats are thrown out the window. Friday night will be about two neighboring towns with a longstanding rivalry.
First, there's just that - it's going to be a night game under the lights of brand-new Tozier-Cassidy Field. And then there's the date - this one is about a month and a half earlier than normal as the two traditional Thanksgiving rivals will meet on Friday night.
With the new MIAA playoff format in place, four of the six Hockomock league match ups this weekend wouldn't normally take place until Thanksgiving. Neighbor Bombardiers and Rocketeers will go head to head along with Stoughton/Canton, KP/Franklin, and OA/Sharon. Because Kelley-Rex and Davenport teams need to play all five of their divisional rivals, the Thanksgiving rivalry of Mansfield/Foxboro will wait until the holiday as they face off against the newest members of the Hock - Taunton and Milford.
Attleboro enters the game at 3-1, fresh off their first loss of the season, a 49-42 shootout defeat against Mansfield. North Attleboro is coming off their second straight loss after starting the season with two wins to level their record at 2-2.
But this is one of those rivalries that record doesn't matter and stats are thrown out the window. Friday night will be about two neighboring towns with a longstanding rivalry.
What to Expect
From North Attleboro: North Attleboro is a banged up team heading into this Friday’s showdown with historic rival Attleboro. The Rocketeers had two of its tri-captains (Matt D’Attilio and Evan Sweeney) on the sidelines against King Philip last week, which limits the teams depth on the line and in the secondary. Those are two places that this year’s version of the Bombardiers has weapons to exploit. But, the Rocketeers have played well with a chip on their shoulder and this is a rivalry that North has dominated for nearly three decades.
Offensively, North was unable to get anything going on the ground last week against the Warriors, but in fairness few teams are able to run successfully against KP. With Chris Hunter as the power back and Jack Blasé and Mike Lambert on the edges, there is still depth in the backfield to cause problems for Attleboro. James Kummer was not nearly as accurate against KP as he was in the first two weeks, but North did show the ability to find seems in the midrange passing game with Jake Lang, Lambert and sophomore Ridge Olsen making plays.
On defense, North may struggle against the high-powered offense of the Bombardiers. D’Attilio’s replacement in the secondary Steven Dubuc was also injured last week and, although it was considered a strong position at the start of the season, defensive back is starting to get a little thin. This is a concern against a team that likes to play at the high tempo that Attleboro prefers. Expect head coach Don Johnson to try and create pressure with his linebackers (Hunter, Kyle Rodriguez, and Anthony Raneri) in the hopes of forcing Attleboro to get out of rhythm.
From Attleboro: Coaches will always say that there is no such thing as a good loss, but last week against one of the top teams in the state, let alone the Hockomock League, the Bombardiers showed many of the doubters that they’re for real. Attleboro nearly came back from three scores down in the fourth quarter and scored 42 points against a defense that had only allowed 14 points in two games against teams from Massachusetts. This week, Attleboro takes on a North team that it went 20 years without beating before finally ending that streak in 2008.
On offense, Attleboro will up the tempo in the hopes of tiring out a shorthanded Rocketeers defense. Tim Walsh has been excellent this year, especially when he is willing to take what the defense is giving him and check down to his underneath receivers. The Bombardiers have plenty of big play capability with Brenden Massey and big tight end Luke Morrison as targets down the field. Attleboro can also mix in the run with a mix of power (Tom Burns, Dave Duquette, and Brandon Clark) and speed (Damon Belin). Averaging nearly 40 points per game, the Bombardiers are scoring nearly double per game than the Rocketeers.
Defensively, Attleboro is focused on trying to create turnovers as Burns did with three picks against Franklin and Belin did with a huge fourth quarter interception against Mansfield that nearly led to the game-tying score. For one of the first times in recent history, Attleboro has the size on the line of scrimmage to cause North problems. Morrison, Shawn Reardon, Kyle Murphy, and Andrew Carello are just a few of the players that will be swarming over North Attleboro running backs. The defense struggled last week against Mansfield, but that was against one of the top offenses in the league, which is not the case this week.
Offensively, North was unable to get anything going on the ground last week against the Warriors, but in fairness few teams are able to run successfully against KP. With Chris Hunter as the power back and Jack Blasé and Mike Lambert on the edges, there is still depth in the backfield to cause problems for Attleboro. James Kummer was not nearly as accurate against KP as he was in the first two weeks, but North did show the ability to find seems in the midrange passing game with Jake Lang, Lambert and sophomore Ridge Olsen making plays.
On defense, North may struggle against the high-powered offense of the Bombardiers. D’Attilio’s replacement in the secondary Steven Dubuc was also injured last week and, although it was considered a strong position at the start of the season, defensive back is starting to get a little thin. This is a concern against a team that likes to play at the high tempo that Attleboro prefers. Expect head coach Don Johnson to try and create pressure with his linebackers (Hunter, Kyle Rodriguez, and Anthony Raneri) in the hopes of forcing Attleboro to get out of rhythm.
From Attleboro: Coaches will always say that there is no such thing as a good loss, but last week against one of the top teams in the state, let alone the Hockomock League, the Bombardiers showed many of the doubters that they’re for real. Attleboro nearly came back from three scores down in the fourth quarter and scored 42 points against a defense that had only allowed 14 points in two games against teams from Massachusetts. This week, Attleboro takes on a North team that it went 20 years without beating before finally ending that streak in 2008.
On offense, Attleboro will up the tempo in the hopes of tiring out a shorthanded Rocketeers defense. Tim Walsh has been excellent this year, especially when he is willing to take what the defense is giving him and check down to his underneath receivers. The Bombardiers have plenty of big play capability with Brenden Massey and big tight end Luke Morrison as targets down the field. Attleboro can also mix in the run with a mix of power (Tom Burns, Dave Duquette, and Brandon Clark) and speed (Damon Belin). Averaging nearly 40 points per game, the Bombardiers are scoring nearly double per game than the Rocketeers.
Defensively, Attleboro is focused on trying to create turnovers as Burns did with three picks against Franklin and Belin did with a huge fourth quarter interception against Mansfield that nearly led to the game-tying score. For one of the first times in recent history, Attleboro has the size on the line of scrimmage to cause North problems. Morrison, Shawn Reardon, Kyle Murphy, and Andrew Carello are just a few of the players that will be swarming over North Attleboro running backs. The defense struggled last week against Mansfield, but that was against one of the top offenses in the league, which is not the case this week.
Poll
Game of the Week - The Pick
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com
This time around when Attleboro and North Attleboro clash, it's going to be a little weird. Sure, there's the fact that it's going to be a night game in October rather than 10AM in November, then there's the brand new Tozier-Cassidy field. But the real strange thing is that Attleboro is going into this match up favored over North Attleboro. It's been a while since thats been the case, but Attleboro has earned the right to be the favorites. Though on the other side, North Attleboro doesn't play the underdog very often and they don't handle it very well, continuing to come away with 'upsets' when they're considered underdogs. But I think this one plays out with the favorite coming away with the win.
The Pick: Attleboro 35, North Attleboro 14
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
North Attleboro comes into this match-up as the underdog for the first time in decades and for good reason. The Rocketeers are banged up and coming off a 30-point loss at KP. Attleboro has to be careful of a letdown after last week's near comeback against Mansfield, but the arrival of North Attleboro for its first visit to the new field should be plenty of motivation. I think that Attleboro has the weapons to make this a comfortable victory, but with history on its side, it is hard to count out North entirely.
The Pick: Attleboro 42, North Attleboro 20
Danny Ventura, Boston Herald High Schools
A classic tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Red Rocketeers have given up 84 points in their last two losses and now must face an Attleboro team which put up 42 against No. 1 Mansfield. Everything seems to point in the direction of the Bombardiers.
The Pick: Attleboro 35, North Attleboro 15
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
Detractors of the new playoff system probably will keep their mouths shut this week, as we get the first of two heaping installments of Attleboro-North Attleboro football. Those same detractors should also take note that North Attleboro's season, despite being 0-2 in league play, isn't over. The Rocketeers aren't being penalized because they play in one of the deepest leagues in the state like they would be in past years. Attleboro took one on the chin in the form a 49-42 loss to Mansfield, a defeat that surely won't be easy to rebound from. North Attleboro, although currently seeded third in Div. 3 Southwest, is coming off two blowout losses to Mansfield and King Philip. Both teams aren't in ideal spots, but look for North to come out strong with a healthy desperation while Attleboro spends the early part of the game still licking their wounds from last week.
The Pick: North Attleboro 27, Attleboro 19
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
After that 49-42 loss to Mansfield last week, time to start taking Attleboro seriously. Behind their unique hybrid Spread/Wing-T offense, led by a fleet-footed gunslinger in Tim Walsh, the Blue Bombardiers are not afraid to take home run shots downfield -- they had seven plays of 20 yards or more last week, including touchdowns of 63 and 62 yards to open the game. Tight end Luke Morrison and receiver Brendan Massey have been excellent compliments to this offense, stretching the defense both vertically and horizontally, but the real key on Friday night I think will be junior running back Damon Belin. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound scatback operates at his best when isolated in space, and accelerates quickly in the open field. The "Bombs Away" campaign continues.
The Pick: Attleboro 35, North Attleboro 21
Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald High Schools
It wasn't a win but the Blue Bombardiers offense certainly proved it was ready for prime time by putting up 42 points against the consensus number one team in the state, Mansfield. This is a rivarly game, Thanksgiving or not, and one the Red Rocketeers have owned for the better part of the last three decades so you can expect a battle. Unfortunately for North, even if they weren't battling through numerous injury absences, they'd be hard-pressed to stop Tim Walsh and this Attleboro offense. Tom Burns and Damon Belin have shown the ability to makes plays in the secondary as well, which should pay dividends against a North offense that has struggled the past two weeks. Great chance for the home team to get back on the winning side of the ledger in this series.
The Pick: Attleboro 42, North Attleboro 20
Scott Barboza, ESPNBoston High Schools
This time around when Attleboro and North Attleboro clash, it's going to be a little weird. Sure, there's the fact that it's going to be a night game in October rather than 10AM in November, then there's the brand new Tozier-Cassidy field. But the real strange thing is that Attleboro is going into this match up favored over North Attleboro. It's been a while since thats been the case, but Attleboro has earned the right to be the favorites. Though on the other side, North Attleboro doesn't play the underdog very often and they don't handle it very well, continuing to come away with 'upsets' when they're considered underdogs. But I think this one plays out with the favorite coming away with the win.
The Pick: Attleboro 35, North Attleboro 14
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
North Attleboro comes into this match-up as the underdog for the first time in decades and for good reason. The Rocketeers are banged up and coming off a 30-point loss at KP. Attleboro has to be careful of a letdown after last week's near comeback against Mansfield, but the arrival of North Attleboro for its first visit to the new field should be plenty of motivation. I think that Attleboro has the weapons to make this a comfortable victory, but with history on its side, it is hard to count out North entirely.
The Pick: Attleboro 42, North Attleboro 20
Danny Ventura, Boston Herald High Schools
A classic tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Red Rocketeers have given up 84 points in their last two losses and now must face an Attleboro team which put up 42 against No. 1 Mansfield. Everything seems to point in the direction of the Bombardiers.
The Pick: Attleboro 35, North Attleboro 15
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
Detractors of the new playoff system probably will keep their mouths shut this week, as we get the first of two heaping installments of Attleboro-North Attleboro football. Those same detractors should also take note that North Attleboro's season, despite being 0-2 in league play, isn't over. The Rocketeers aren't being penalized because they play in one of the deepest leagues in the state like they would be in past years. Attleboro took one on the chin in the form a 49-42 loss to Mansfield, a defeat that surely won't be easy to rebound from. North Attleboro, although currently seeded third in Div. 3 Southwest, is coming off two blowout losses to Mansfield and King Philip. Both teams aren't in ideal spots, but look for North to come out strong with a healthy desperation while Attleboro spends the early part of the game still licking their wounds from last week.
The Pick: North Attleboro 27, Attleboro 19
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
After that 49-42 loss to Mansfield last week, time to start taking Attleboro seriously. Behind their unique hybrid Spread/Wing-T offense, led by a fleet-footed gunslinger in Tim Walsh, the Blue Bombardiers are not afraid to take home run shots downfield -- they had seven plays of 20 yards or more last week, including touchdowns of 63 and 62 yards to open the game. Tight end Luke Morrison and receiver Brendan Massey have been excellent compliments to this offense, stretching the defense both vertically and horizontally, but the real key on Friday night I think will be junior running back Damon Belin. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound scatback operates at his best when isolated in space, and accelerates quickly in the open field. The "Bombs Away" campaign continues.
The Pick: Attleboro 35, North Attleboro 21
Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald High Schools
It wasn't a win but the Blue Bombardiers offense certainly proved it was ready for prime time by putting up 42 points against the consensus number one team in the state, Mansfield. This is a rivarly game, Thanksgiving or not, and one the Red Rocketeers have owned for the better part of the last three decades so you can expect a battle. Unfortunately for North, even if they weren't battling through numerous injury absences, they'd be hard-pressed to stop Tim Walsh and this Attleboro offense. Tom Burns and Damon Belin have shown the ability to makes plays in the secondary as well, which should pay dividends against a North offense that has struggled the past two weeks. Great chance for the home team to get back on the winning side of the ledger in this series.
The Pick: Attleboro 42, North Attleboro 20
Scott Barboza, ESPNBoston High Schools
| HockomockSports.com Picks | ||||||||||
| Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Michael Antonellis |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
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| Game of the Week Staff |  |
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| Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Stoughton Media Access |
The Enterprise |
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| North Attleboro @ Attleboro Friday, 7:00 |
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| Canton @ Stoughton Friday, 3:45 |
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| Foxboro @ Milford Friday, 7:00 |
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| Franklin @ King Philip Friday, 7:00 |
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| Taunton @ Mansfield Friday, 7:00 |
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| Sharon @ Oliver Ames Saturday, 2:00 |
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| Total | Lanigan 6-6 |
Perry 9-3 |
Antonellis 8-4 |
Pickette 10-2 |
McDaniel 10-2 |
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