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Overview
There hasn't been a lot of hype surrounding games this laste in the season that decide second place in a division, but this year is different. With Oliver Ames already having clinched the Davenport Division, Foxboro and Stoughton will battle it out for not only just second play - but a much better chance of making the playoffs.
Stoughton stands at 5-1 overall and Foxboro is at 4-2 but both teams are 3-1 in Davenport play. Though the MIAA announced that a second place finish in divisions of 5 or more teams won't 100% guarantee a playoff spot, it sure helps. According to ratings on The Boston Herald, Stoughton is in solid position in 4th in Division 3 Southwest and a win would certainly keep them in a playoff spot. On the other side, Foxboro is in 9th in Division 4 South - a division that features four teams that have already automatically qualified. A win over Stoughton would surely boost them into the top eight on rating alone.
The two teams will kick off on Friday night from Ahern Middle School at 7:00. Follow @R_Lanigan on Twitter for in-game updates.
Stoughton stands at 5-1 overall and Foxboro is at 4-2 but both teams are 3-1 in Davenport play. Though the MIAA announced that a second place finish in divisions of 5 or more teams won't 100% guarantee a playoff spot, it sure helps. According to ratings on The Boston Herald, Stoughton is in solid position in 4th in Division 3 Southwest and a win would certainly keep them in a playoff spot. On the other side, Foxboro is in 9th in Division 4 South - a division that features four teams that have already automatically qualified. A win over Stoughton would surely boost them into the top eight on rating alone.
The two teams will kick off on Friday night from Ahern Middle School at 7:00. Follow @R_Lanigan on Twitter for in-game updates.
What to Expect
From Stoughton: The away side is similar to some other teams in the Hock in the sense that they are what they are and they don't try to hide it. They have a strong running game that can beat you with power and can get outside and beat you with speed. They have been known for their big play ability on offense, something that seems to happen at least once a game.
Their feature back has been Malachi Baugh, but the senior left late in the game against Canton two weeks ago and missed last week's win over Sharon. But all season they have used their options out of the back field, with Joey Girolamo, Lennox Green, and Jovani Pires all capable of breaking off at any moment. Senior Stanley Sajous and sophomore Jake Gibb have both seen time at quarterback this season and are capable of making a key throw when needed.
On the other side of the ball, Stoughton continues to be traditionally good on defense. They are giving up just 15 points a game, allowing just an early field goal against Sharon last week for the Eagle's only points. They have a solid defensive line that makes it tough to run against and their secondary has stepped up into some big shoes to play strong as well.
From Foxboro: This might be one of the hardest things to pin down in terms of this week's game - what to expect from Foxboro. They were inconsistent to start the season with two big losses sandwiched around a solid road win. But since then, they've gone 3-0, outscoring opponents 101-14 in those games. It seems they have finally clicked on both sides of the ball and are in a groove.
On the offensive side of the ball, they rely on their rushing game to get their offense going. Keeyon Neal has emerged as the main back and has rewarded the Warriors in the past three games. In their two losses this season, the Warriors were unable to get a solid rhythm in the run game so it will be key they can establish something early. At the same time, junior quarterback Nolan Rogers looks to have hit his stride and they are beginning to trust him more and use his passing ability to keep the offense balanced.
Defensively, there have been a lot of solid performances but the Warrior's biggest contributor has been Luc Valenza - the heart of the squad. Alongside Salman Alam, the two have formed a strong linebacker pair that has been supported by strong play in the secondary by Austin Gutierrez, Gerard Darcy, and Tim O'Halloran, fresh of returning from an injury.
Their feature back has been Malachi Baugh, but the senior left late in the game against Canton two weeks ago and missed last week's win over Sharon. But all season they have used their options out of the back field, with Joey Girolamo, Lennox Green, and Jovani Pires all capable of breaking off at any moment. Senior Stanley Sajous and sophomore Jake Gibb have both seen time at quarterback this season and are capable of making a key throw when needed.
On the other side of the ball, Stoughton continues to be traditionally good on defense. They are giving up just 15 points a game, allowing just an early field goal against Sharon last week for the Eagle's only points. They have a solid defensive line that makes it tough to run against and their secondary has stepped up into some big shoes to play strong as well.
From Foxboro: This might be one of the hardest things to pin down in terms of this week's game - what to expect from Foxboro. They were inconsistent to start the season with two big losses sandwiched around a solid road win. But since then, they've gone 3-0, outscoring opponents 101-14 in those games. It seems they have finally clicked on both sides of the ball and are in a groove.
On the offensive side of the ball, they rely on their rushing game to get their offense going. Keeyon Neal has emerged as the main back and has rewarded the Warriors in the past three games. In their two losses this season, the Warriors were unable to get a solid rhythm in the run game so it will be key they can establish something early. At the same time, junior quarterback Nolan Rogers looks to have hit his stride and they are beginning to trust him more and use his passing ability to keep the offense balanced.
Defensively, there have been a lot of solid performances but the Warrior's biggest contributor has been Luc Valenza - the heart of the squad. Alongside Salman Alam, the two have formed a strong linebacker pair that has been supported by strong play in the secondary by Austin Gutierrez, Gerard Darcy, and Tim O'Halloran, fresh of returning from an injury.
Poll
Game of the Week - The Pick
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com
It's a must win game for Foxboro but expect Stoughton to be playing the same way. A lot rides on if running back Malachi Baugh plays for Stoughton but the Black Knights have Joey Girolamo and Lennox Green ready to go if not. I think in the end, the Stoughton defense is the difference and comes up with a late stop to preserve a close win.
The Pick: Stoughton 28, Foxboro 27
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
Foxboro knows that it needs to win to get into the postseason, while Stoughton seems to have a place sewn up already. I think the Warriors will play with more desperation and that could make the difference. I'm also not sure the status of Malachi Baugh, but assuming that the Knights hold him out, I will give the slight edge to Foxboro.
The Pick: Foxboro 21, Stoughton 14
Danny Ventura, Boston Herald High Schools
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
Thanks to injuries, the Stoughton offense might be in a bit of disarray heading into this one. But good thing the Black Knights' defense has matched their offense in performance this year. Outside of the blip against Oliver Ames, Stoughton has allowed 11 points per game, some of which came in garbage time.Foxboro on the other hand is coming in with plenty of confidence for their biggest game of the year. The Warriors have been dominant the past three weeks, out-scoring opponents 101-14. The question with the Warriors is whether they're the team that opened the season slowly, winning one of their first three games, or the team we've seen the last few weeks dominate a soft finish to the schedule. The Black Knights offensive wasn't as explosive without Malachi Baugh last weekend, but Joe Girolamo and Lennox Green still took care of the offense. Without Baugh, the defense may reveal itself as the Black Knights true biggest strength.
The Pick: Stoughton 14, Foxboro 7
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
It's been an up and down ride for Foxboro, which took some lumps early in a loss to Walpole but has recovered nicely in Davenport play. Stoughton emerged as the Davenport team to beat before Malachi Baugh was lost to injury. The Black Knights still have some great athletes, but they are a different gear with Baugh in the backfield.
The Pick: Foxboro 21, Stoughton 10
Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald High Schools
Must-win game for the Warriors, who have no choice but to claim the Davenport Division's second place automatic qualifier to have a shot at reaching the postseason. How can they be at "have a chance" if it's an automatic qualifier you ask? Well, there are potentially nine teams in Division 4 South that could end up with automatic qualifying spots after this weekend's action, and Foxboro being at the low end of the totem poll in terms of ratings points would be the odd team out in that situation. The Black Knights will be without standout running back Malachi Baugh but Joe Giralomo and Jovani Pires will be ready to battle with Foxboro linebackers Salman Alam and Luc Valenza. The Warriors are playing for their playoff lives and will at least give themselves a chance before heading home to break out the abacus and spend the rest of the weekend doing math and scoreboard watching.
The Pick: Foxboro 28, Stoughton 26
It's a must win game for Foxboro but expect Stoughton to be playing the same way. A lot rides on if running back Malachi Baugh plays for Stoughton but the Black Knights have Joey Girolamo and Lennox Green ready to go if not. I think in the end, the Stoughton defense is the difference and comes up with a late stop to preserve a close win.
The Pick: Stoughton 28, Foxboro 27
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
Foxboro knows that it needs to win to get into the postseason, while Stoughton seems to have a place sewn up already. I think the Warriors will play with more desperation and that could make the difference. I'm also not sure the status of Malachi Baugh, but assuming that the Knights hold him out, I will give the slight edge to Foxboro.
The Pick: Foxboro 21, Stoughton 14
Danny Ventura, Boston Herald High Schools
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
Thanks to injuries, the Stoughton offense might be in a bit of disarray heading into this one. But good thing the Black Knights' defense has matched their offense in performance this year. Outside of the blip against Oliver Ames, Stoughton has allowed 11 points per game, some of which came in garbage time.Foxboro on the other hand is coming in with plenty of confidence for their biggest game of the year. The Warriors have been dominant the past three weeks, out-scoring opponents 101-14. The question with the Warriors is whether they're the team that opened the season slowly, winning one of their first three games, or the team we've seen the last few weeks dominate a soft finish to the schedule. The Black Knights offensive wasn't as explosive without Malachi Baugh last weekend, but Joe Girolamo and Lennox Green still took care of the offense. Without Baugh, the defense may reveal itself as the Black Knights true biggest strength.
The Pick: Stoughton 14, Foxboro 7
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
It's been an up and down ride for Foxboro, which took some lumps early in a loss to Walpole but has recovered nicely in Davenport play. Stoughton emerged as the Davenport team to beat before Malachi Baugh was lost to injury. The Black Knights still have some great athletes, but they are a different gear with Baugh in the backfield.
The Pick: Foxboro 21, Stoughton 10
Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald High Schools
Must-win game for the Warriors, who have no choice but to claim the Davenport Division's second place automatic qualifier to have a shot at reaching the postseason. How can they be at "have a chance" if it's an automatic qualifier you ask? Well, there are potentially nine teams in Division 4 South that could end up with automatic qualifying spots after this weekend's action, and Foxboro being at the low end of the totem poll in terms of ratings points would be the odd team out in that situation. The Black Knights will be without standout running back Malachi Baugh but Joe Giralomo and Jovani Pires will be ready to battle with Foxboro linebackers Salman Alam and Luc Valenza. The Warriors are playing for their playoff lives and will at least give themselves a chance before heading home to break out the abacus and spend the rest of the weekend doing math and scoreboard watching.
The Pick: Foxboro 28, Stoughton 26
| 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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| Stoughton @ Foxboro Friday, 7:00 |
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| Attleboro @ King Philip Friday, 7:00 |
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| Mansfield @ Franklin Friday, 7:00 |
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| Taunton @ North Attleboro Friday, 7:00 |
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| Milford @ Sharon Saturday, 1:00 |
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| Canton @ Oliver Ames Saturday, 2:00 |
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| Total | Lanigan 16-8 |
Perry 20-4 |
Antonellis 20-4 |
Merritt 5-1 |
Pickette 21-3 |
McDaniel 21-3 |
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