Overview
With the new playoff format, we knew that most Hockomock teams would be playing their Thanksgiving rival once in the regular season and again on Thanksgiving, but the playoffs have also given us a bonus rematch, and even better is that it's the Division 3 Southwest Finals. Oliver Ames and Stoughton will meet for the second time in the same season for the first time ever according to records published HockomockLeagueFootball.com, which was taken off the web this summer.
The Tigers came away with a 35-7 win over the Black Knights in Stoughton in the two team's first meeting. Oliver Ames will look to make it two in a row and four of the last five when they host Stoughton at Val Muscato Stadium on Friday at 7:00. The Black Knights are looking to get back to their winning ways against their neighbors, having beaten them seven years in a row from 2003 to 2009.
The rivalry - arguably bigger than either's Thanksgiving opponent - has seen streaks of domination as well as periods of back and forth wins. Oliver Ames dominated the 1980's before the 1990's saw both teams each have five wins. The early 2000's belonged to Stoughton and now the current decade looks to like it will be another back and forth period.
Will Oliver Ames make it two in and row and stay undefeated or will Stoughton get their revenge and advance in the Division 3 playoffs? Stoughton currently leads the all time series 38-23-6.
The Tigers came away with a 35-7 win over the Black Knights in Stoughton in the two team's first meeting. Oliver Ames will look to make it two in a row and four of the last five when they host Stoughton at Val Muscato Stadium on Friday at 7:00. The Black Knights are looking to get back to their winning ways against their neighbors, having beaten them seven years in a row from 2003 to 2009.
The rivalry - arguably bigger than either's Thanksgiving opponent - has seen streaks of domination as well as periods of back and forth wins. Oliver Ames dominated the 1980's before the 1990's saw both teams each have five wins. The early 2000's belonged to Stoughton and now the current decade looks to like it will be another back and forth period.
Will Oliver Ames make it two in and row and stay undefeated or will Stoughton get their revenge and advance in the Division 3 playoffs? Stoughton currently leads the all time series 38-23-6.
What To Expect
From Stoughton: The first thing to expect from the Black Knights is a better game than the first time around. The Black Knights were far from happy with how they played in all aspects of the game and will be beyond hungry to try and get some revenge. The landscape has changed some for Stoughton as well, with a new quarterback and one less running back.
Senior captain Malachi Baugh is out for the season but Lennox Green, Jovani Pires, and Joey Girolamo haven't missed a beat carrying the ball. The mixture of them has worked nicely for Stoughton as Girolamo, who head coach Greg Burke called one of the toughest kids in the area, is able to run right up the middle through traffic or bounce outside. Green and Pires are both quick and have the ability to get around the edge and kick it into another gear. Sophomore Jake Gibb has taken over at quarterback after an injury to senior Stanley Sajous and he's continued to improve each game. He has the ability to run with the ball when necessary and continues to improve throwing the ball.
On defense, Stoughton has really stepped it up since their loss to Oliver Ames. After giving up 35 points to the Tigers, the Black Knights have given up a total of just 35 points over the last five games. Only one team was able to score more than once since that game while others have scored touchdowns late in the game when the Black Knights had the game in hand. They are currently the second best defensive squad in terms of points allowed with just 12.11 allowed a game.
From Oliver Ames: Plain and simple, you can expect a lot of good things from the Tigers. It starts up front and Oliver Ames has won that battle throughout the season, on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Nick Cidado has had a great season and the offensive line deserves a ton of credit for giving him the time to deliver the ball. When there has been pressure on Cidado, he has the ability to get out and run with the ball and make a play.
Cidado made it a point last week that he wants to run the ball more, but even when he's in the pocket, he has a lot of weapons around him to throw to. Running back Matt Berksza had a great game the first time around against Stoughton and will look to do the same. He's a shifty runner that is able to hit the gaps. He's the kind of runner that is able to pick an extra couple of yards after it looks like he's about to be tackled.
On defense, the Tigers have been among the league's best all season. They currently allow the least points per game at 9.11 and have only given up more than two touchdowns just once - a 28-21 win over Pembroke in just the second week of the season. They have a lot of talent on the line with Josh Briggs, Colin Lozzi, Chris Duggan among others. Joey Tepper has been a rock at the linebacker position and captain Jake Fitzgerald has been solid at corner.
Senior captain Malachi Baugh is out for the season but Lennox Green, Jovani Pires, and Joey Girolamo haven't missed a beat carrying the ball. The mixture of them has worked nicely for Stoughton as Girolamo, who head coach Greg Burke called one of the toughest kids in the area, is able to run right up the middle through traffic or bounce outside. Green and Pires are both quick and have the ability to get around the edge and kick it into another gear. Sophomore Jake Gibb has taken over at quarterback after an injury to senior Stanley Sajous and he's continued to improve each game. He has the ability to run with the ball when necessary and continues to improve throwing the ball.
On defense, Stoughton has really stepped it up since their loss to Oliver Ames. After giving up 35 points to the Tigers, the Black Knights have given up a total of just 35 points over the last five games. Only one team was able to score more than once since that game while others have scored touchdowns late in the game when the Black Knights had the game in hand. They are currently the second best defensive squad in terms of points allowed with just 12.11 allowed a game.
From Oliver Ames: Plain and simple, you can expect a lot of good things from the Tigers. It starts up front and Oliver Ames has won that battle throughout the season, on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Nick Cidado has had a great season and the offensive line deserves a ton of credit for giving him the time to deliver the ball. When there has been pressure on Cidado, he has the ability to get out and run with the ball and make a play.
Cidado made it a point last week that he wants to run the ball more, but even when he's in the pocket, he has a lot of weapons around him to throw to. Running back Matt Berksza had a great game the first time around against Stoughton and will look to do the same. He's a shifty runner that is able to hit the gaps. He's the kind of runner that is able to pick an extra couple of yards after it looks like he's about to be tackled.
On defense, the Tigers have been among the league's best all season. They currently allow the least points per game at 9.11 and have only given up more than two touchdowns just once - a 28-21 win over Pembroke in just the second week of the season. They have a lot of talent on the line with Josh Briggs, Colin Lozzi, Chris Duggan among others. Joey Tepper has been a rock at the linebacker position and captain Jake Fitzgerald has been solid at corner.
Poll
Game of the Week - The Picks
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.comIt's never easy to play a team twice in a season, especially a rival. I think both sides are expecting a closer game this time around but I think we'll see a similar result. Nick Cidado will be the biggest difference as both teams have a strong running game but Cidado is one of the top QBs in the entire league and will make a huge difference again on Friday.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 35, Stoughton 17
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
Just like the first meeting, Stoughton will have revenge on its mind, but the Tigers still have more weapons. OA can score quickly and that ability to hit the big play will be the difference. Tigers win comfortably for the second time this season.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 28, Stoughton 14
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
You're never as bad as your worst loss, and I have a feeling this could be sweet revenge for the Black Knights. The reason? Element of unknown, after losing Malachi Baugh. Players like speedster Lennox Green provide a different look out of the backfield, which often forces teams to alter their scouting reports or game plans. Stoughton is no doubt licking its chops here.
The Pick: Stoughton 24, Oliver Ames 17
Scott Barboza, ESPNBoston High Schools
I picked Stoughton in the preseason and in the teams' first meeting of the season. Obviously, I struck out on both those accounts. I guarantee this game will not be the rout it was in the first go-around. I see the same result, however. Nick Cidado's been one of the state's more underrated passers this year.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 30, Stoughton 24
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
This pick is almost a complete gut call. On paper it looks like OA has the advantage just about everywhere and they already own a 35-7 win over the Black Knights. Their first meeting was the worst football Stoughton could play so I doubt they play that bad again. The Black Knights are a different looking team in this one while the Tigers haven't changed much. OA has yet to see Stoughton sophomore quarterback Jake Gibb, who I think will the X-factor in this one. Last time around Stoughton was unable to force turnovers. For the Black Knights to pull the upset they'll need to force turnovers and keep Nick Cidado on the sideline with long drives.
The Pick: Stoughton 27, Oliver Ames 20
Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald High Schools
The standard cliche here is that it's supremely difficult to beat a good twice in one season. I can't see OA coming up with another blowout of Stoughton because you know the Black Knights will be fired up to prevent exactly that from happening. The losing team always has greater incentive to make adjustments and I expect that Coach Burke and his staff have been working hard to do just that. I have underestimated Oliver Ames all season long, despite being presented with plenty of evidence to suggest I am an idiot for doing so. This week, I smarten up.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 28, Stoughton 26
The Pick: Oliver Ames 35, Stoughton 17
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
Just like the first meeting, Stoughton will have revenge on its mind, but the Tigers still have more weapons. OA can score quickly and that ability to hit the big play will be the difference. Tigers win comfortably for the second time this season.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 28, Stoughton 14
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston High Schools
You're never as bad as your worst loss, and I have a feeling this could be sweet revenge for the Black Knights. The reason? Element of unknown, after losing Malachi Baugh. Players like speedster Lennox Green provide a different look out of the backfield, which often forces teams to alter their scouting reports or game plans. Stoughton is no doubt licking its chops here.
The Pick: Stoughton 24, Oliver Ames 17
Scott Barboza, ESPNBoston High Schools
I picked Stoughton in the preseason and in the teams' first meeting of the season. Obviously, I struck out on both those accounts. I guarantee this game will not be the rout it was in the first go-around. I see the same result, however. Nick Cidado's been one of the state's more underrated passers this year.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 30, Stoughton 24
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
This pick is almost a complete gut call. On paper it looks like OA has the advantage just about everywhere and they already own a 35-7 win over the Black Knights. Their first meeting was the worst football Stoughton could play so I doubt they play that bad again. The Black Knights are a different looking team in this one while the Tigers haven't changed much. OA has yet to see Stoughton sophomore quarterback Jake Gibb, who I think will the X-factor in this one. Last time around Stoughton was unable to force turnovers. For the Black Knights to pull the upset they'll need to force turnovers and keep Nick Cidado on the sideline with long drives.
The Pick: Stoughton 27, Oliver Ames 20
Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald High Schools
The standard cliche here is that it's supremely difficult to beat a good twice in one season. I can't see OA coming up with another blowout of Stoughton because you know the Black Knights will be fired up to prevent exactly that from happening. The losing team always has greater incentive to make adjustments and I expect that Coach Burke and his staff have been working hard to do just that. I have underestimated Oliver Ames all season long, despite being presented with plenty of evidence to suggest I am an idiot for doing so. This week, I smarten up.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 28, Stoughton 26
| HockomockSports.com Picks | ||||||||||
| Ryan Lanigan |
Josh Perry |
Michael Antonellis |
Cameron Merritt |
Jeff Pickette |
Chris McDaniel |
|||||
| Game of the Week Staff |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||||
| Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Hockomock Sports |
Stoughton Media Access |
The Enterprise |
|||||
| Stoughton @ Oliver Ames Friday, 7:00 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
||||
| Mansfield vs. Barnstable Friday, 7:00 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
| Attleboro @ Xaverian Saturday, 1:00 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
||||
| Foxboro @ Medway Friday, 7:00 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
||||
| Franklin @ Brockton Friday, 7:00 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
||||
| King Philip @ Duxbury Friday, 7:00 |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
||||
| Milford @ Bishop Feehan Friday, 7:00 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
||||
| North Attleboro @ Hopkinton Friday, 7:00 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
| Taunton @ Braintree Friday, 6:00 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
| Sharon @ Somerset-Berkley Saturday, 1:00 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
||||
| Canton @ Dedham Saturday, 1:00 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
| Total | Lanigan 39-15 |
Perry 48-6 |
Antonellis 47-7 |
Merritt 32-4 |
Pickette 48-6 |
McDaniel 48-6 |
||||
Previous Games of the Week
11/8 - Football: North Attleboro @ Oliver Ames (D3 Southwest Semifinals)
11/1 - Football: MIAA Playoffs
10/25 - Football: Stoughton @ Foxboro
10/18 - Football: Mansfield @ King Philip
10/11 - Football: North Attleboro @ Attleboro
10/4 - Football: OA @ Stoughton / Mansfield @ Attleboro
9/27 - Football: North Attleboro @ Mansfield
11/1 - Football: MIAA Playoffs
10/25 - Football: Stoughton @ Foxboro
10/18 - Football: Mansfield @ King Philip
10/11 - Football: North Attleboro @ Attleboro
10/4 - Football: OA @ Stoughton / Mansfield @ Attleboro
9/27 - Football: North Attleboro @ Mansfield