Games of the Week - Super Bowl Special
What To Expect...
By Bruce Lerch, Special to HockomockSports.com
...from Wayland: If you are a fan of defense you are going to love this Wayland squad. In the Warriors nine victories this year, they are giving up an average of 5.7 points per game. That number includes wins over Div. 1 semifinalist Lincoln-Sudbury, Div. 4 semifinalist Millis/Hopedale and defending Div. 3 Super Bowl champion Concord-Carlisle. The Dual County League Small champs are led by linebackers Brian Murtagh and Matt Devlin, both of whom are well over 100 tackles each, and defensive lineman Kevin Kelley.
Lest you think the Wildcats can't score, they have topped 28 points in each of their last three games and six times on the year. Junior running back Robert Williams ran all over Westwood in the semifinals to the tune of 307 yards and four touchdowns, pushing him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Wideout Mark Bonner has hauled down eight of QB Matt Goddard's 15 TD passes.
...from Reading: The Rockets will certainly have vengeance on the mind after falling prey to a phenomenal second-half comeback by Mansfield in the 2010 Super Bowl. Junior quarterback Drew Belcher is about as good a dual-threat as you'll find in Massachusetts with 20 touchdown passes and another 12 on the ground. Senior Matt Comerford is the leader of what has become a perennial group of standout offensive linemen and oft-overlooked running back Alex Valente has 20 TDs. Belcher also has a dangerous weapon to throw to in Ryan Maney (10 TDs). But make no mistake - the Rockets live and die through Belcher on offense, and that was evident in the semifinals when he ran for 103 yards and four touchdowns and threw for 258 more with another score.
Defensively, there is no one individual star, rather a complete and cohesive unit that has allowed a mere 4.8 points per game. Reading's defensive front seven - also led by Comerford - is as good as any in the state, which should make things tough on Mansfield's dynamic running back duo of Kevin Makie and Robbie Rapoza. Should the Hornets take to the air, safety Greg Connery is one of several key players in that defensive backfield.
By Bruce Lerch, Special to HockomockSports.com
...from Wayland: If you are a fan of defense you are going to love this Wayland squad. In the Warriors nine victories this year, they are giving up an average of 5.7 points per game. That number includes wins over Div. 1 semifinalist Lincoln-Sudbury, Div. 4 semifinalist Millis/Hopedale and defending Div. 3 Super Bowl champion Concord-Carlisle. The Dual County League Small champs are led by linebackers Brian Murtagh and Matt Devlin, both of whom are well over 100 tackles each, and defensive lineman Kevin Kelley.
Lest you think the Wildcats can't score, they have topped 28 points in each of their last three games and six times on the year. Junior running back Robert Williams ran all over Westwood in the semifinals to the tune of 307 yards and four touchdowns, pushing him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Wideout Mark Bonner has hauled down eight of QB Matt Goddard's 15 TD passes.
...from Reading: The Rockets will certainly have vengeance on the mind after falling prey to a phenomenal second-half comeback by Mansfield in the 2010 Super Bowl. Junior quarterback Drew Belcher is about as good a dual-threat as you'll find in Massachusetts with 20 touchdown passes and another 12 on the ground. Senior Matt Comerford is the leader of what has become a perennial group of standout offensive linemen and oft-overlooked running back Alex Valente has 20 TDs. Belcher also has a dangerous weapon to throw to in Ryan Maney (10 TDs). But make no mistake - the Rockets live and die through Belcher on offense, and that was evident in the semifinals when he ran for 103 yards and four touchdowns and threw for 258 more with another score.
Defensively, there is no one individual star, rather a complete and cohesive unit that has allowed a mere 4.8 points per game. Reading's defensive front seven - also led by Comerford - is as good as any in the state, which should make things tough on Mansfield's dynamic running back duo of Kevin Makie and Robbie Rapoza. Should the Hornets take to the air, safety Greg Connery is one of several key players in that defensive backfield.
The Pick
Each morning of game day, we will roll out our predictions in the section titled "The Pick." Here are our predictions with a brief explanation.
Sharon vs. Wayland
Danny Ventura, The Boston Herald: Sharon continues to defy the odds, thus adding to the legacy of a great season. The Eagles are one win away from completing one of the most amazing years in recent history. Brad Schiff leads a defense which held the fort against Pembroke in the semifinals. The drawback is Wayland brings much more offense to the table and can do it in a variety of ways.. I think the joyride ends here.
The Pick: Wayland 21, Sharon 7
Dan Libon, WrenthamPatch: I was going to take Wayland but then I realized what my track record was and pulled a George Castanza and went with the opposite team. Win or lose it is amazing what Sharon coach Dave Morse has done with this team. I think Sharon goes in with a little more urgency because if they want a title they have to do it this year. Sean Asnes is going to have to do better than the 34 yards he put up on Tuesday since this game will likely be decided on the ground. As long as Sharon can control the clock, get those holes open for the run game, and limit Wayland's chances, I think the Eagles have the chance to do the unthinkable and win a Super Bowl Title.
The Pick: Sharon 28, Wayland 21
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com: The Sharon offense needs to limit mistakes. If they can hold on to the ball and not hurt themselves with penalties than the defense can keep them in the game.
The Pick: Sharon 20, Wayland 14
Tim Rosenthal, HockomockSports.com: The Eagles D came through in the clutch in Tuesday's 7-6 victory over Pembroke and wrote another chapter in their historic season. But they'll need their best all-around effort against the top preseason team in Division 3 according to the Boston Herald's Danny Ventura. And against a talented running back like Robbie Williams, who scored four touchdowns in Wayland's blowout over Westwood, that will be too much for Sharon to ask for.
The Pick: Wayland 31, Sharon 16
John Botelho, SportsJournal.Co:
The Pick: Sharon 13, Wayland 7
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com: I knew that the Eagles were going to surprise people before the season, but I don't think anyone outside the Sharon locker room knew how far this team would actually come. Dave Morse has the program headed in the right direction and a solid core of Sean O'Neill, Sean Asnes, and Brad Schiff have Sharon thinking a Super Bowl win. I have picked against Sharon all season long and even had some player approach me mid game after the Eagles took a lead asking who I picked. As much of a Cinderella run this is, I think the clock will strike midnight and the magic will come up short.
The Pick: Wayland 21, Sharon 10
Mansfield vs. Reading
Danny Ventura, The Boston Herald: An interesting rematch from the 2010 Super Bowl where Mansfield rallied from a huge deficit to defeat the Rockets. The players have changed, but Reading comes into this game loaded to complete an undefeated season, Drew Belcher is as good as it gets at quarterback and the defense has been rock-solid all season long. Mansfield has been up and down all year, but showed against Duxbury that can it play with anyone. Still think that Reading is the class of Division 2 and will show it here.
The Pick: Reading 26, Mansfield 13
Dan Libon, WrenthamPatch: What does it say about the Hornets when they come into the game after snapping Duxbury's 37 game winning streak? I think you'll see a Mansfield offense firing on all cilinders en route to a win in the rematch of the 2010 D2 Super Bowl.
The Pick: Mansfield 31, Reading 28
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com: Robbie Rapoza's continued recovery from injury is the key to the Mansfield offense. He and Kevin Makie combine to control the clock for the Hornets offense. If the defense can limit the big plays than the Hornets should win.
The Pick: Mansfield 27, Reading 21
Tim Rosenthal, HockomockSports.com: Mansfield had a comeback for the ages two years ago against the same Reading team en route to another Super Bowl title under coach Mike Redding. I'm not expecting any heroics this time around, but I am expecting a tightly contested battle between these two powerhouses. The Hornets D will have their hands full against QB Drew Belcher - who scored five touchdowns in Reading's blowout over Tewksbury Tuesday night - but much like they did against Duxbury, the backfield tandem of Kevin Makie and Robbie Rapozza should pay dividends en route to Mansfield's second Div 2 Eastern Mass championship in three years.
The Pick: Mansfield 27, Reading 21
John Botelho, SportsJournal.co:
The Pick: Reading 24, Mansfield 17
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com: Mansfield bounced back after a tough Thanksgiving loss to snap Duxbury's 37-game winning streak and now are looking for their second Super Bowl win over Reading in the last three seasons. After an impressive comeback win in 2010, Mike Redding and the 2012 Hornets are looking to repeat history. Reading is coming in looking as impressive as anyone in the state and will definitely be a formidable foe. I think these Hornets are the real deal and will be the one's raising the hardware at Bentley on Saturday.
The Pick: Mansfield 26, Reading 19
Sharon vs. Wayland
Danny Ventura, The Boston Herald: Sharon continues to defy the odds, thus adding to the legacy of a great season. The Eagles are one win away from completing one of the most amazing years in recent history. Brad Schiff leads a defense which held the fort against Pembroke in the semifinals. The drawback is Wayland brings much more offense to the table and can do it in a variety of ways.. I think the joyride ends here.
The Pick: Wayland 21, Sharon 7
Dan Libon, WrenthamPatch: I was going to take Wayland but then I realized what my track record was and pulled a George Castanza and went with the opposite team. Win or lose it is amazing what Sharon coach Dave Morse has done with this team. I think Sharon goes in with a little more urgency because if they want a title they have to do it this year. Sean Asnes is going to have to do better than the 34 yards he put up on Tuesday since this game will likely be decided on the ground. As long as Sharon can control the clock, get those holes open for the run game, and limit Wayland's chances, I think the Eagles have the chance to do the unthinkable and win a Super Bowl Title.
The Pick: Sharon 28, Wayland 21
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com: The Sharon offense needs to limit mistakes. If they can hold on to the ball and not hurt themselves with penalties than the defense can keep them in the game.
The Pick: Sharon 20, Wayland 14
Tim Rosenthal, HockomockSports.com: The Eagles D came through in the clutch in Tuesday's 7-6 victory over Pembroke and wrote another chapter in their historic season. But they'll need their best all-around effort against the top preseason team in Division 3 according to the Boston Herald's Danny Ventura. And against a talented running back like Robbie Williams, who scored four touchdowns in Wayland's blowout over Westwood, that will be too much for Sharon to ask for.
The Pick: Wayland 31, Sharon 16
John Botelho, SportsJournal.Co:
The Pick: Sharon 13, Wayland 7
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com: I knew that the Eagles were going to surprise people before the season, but I don't think anyone outside the Sharon locker room knew how far this team would actually come. Dave Morse has the program headed in the right direction and a solid core of Sean O'Neill, Sean Asnes, and Brad Schiff have Sharon thinking a Super Bowl win. I have picked against Sharon all season long and even had some player approach me mid game after the Eagles took a lead asking who I picked. As much of a Cinderella run this is, I think the clock will strike midnight and the magic will come up short.
The Pick: Wayland 21, Sharon 10
Mansfield vs. Reading
Danny Ventura, The Boston Herald: An interesting rematch from the 2010 Super Bowl where Mansfield rallied from a huge deficit to defeat the Rockets. The players have changed, but Reading comes into this game loaded to complete an undefeated season, Drew Belcher is as good as it gets at quarterback and the defense has been rock-solid all season long. Mansfield has been up and down all year, but showed against Duxbury that can it play with anyone. Still think that Reading is the class of Division 2 and will show it here.
The Pick: Reading 26, Mansfield 13
Dan Libon, WrenthamPatch: What does it say about the Hornets when they come into the game after snapping Duxbury's 37 game winning streak? I think you'll see a Mansfield offense firing on all cilinders en route to a win in the rematch of the 2010 D2 Super Bowl.
The Pick: Mansfield 31, Reading 28
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com: Robbie Rapoza's continued recovery from injury is the key to the Mansfield offense. He and Kevin Makie combine to control the clock for the Hornets offense. If the defense can limit the big plays than the Hornets should win.
The Pick: Mansfield 27, Reading 21
Tim Rosenthal, HockomockSports.com: Mansfield had a comeback for the ages two years ago against the same Reading team en route to another Super Bowl title under coach Mike Redding. I'm not expecting any heroics this time around, but I am expecting a tightly contested battle between these two powerhouses. The Hornets D will have their hands full against QB Drew Belcher - who scored five touchdowns in Reading's blowout over Tewksbury Tuesday night - but much like they did against Duxbury, the backfield tandem of Kevin Makie and Robbie Rapozza should pay dividends en route to Mansfield's second Div 2 Eastern Mass championship in three years.
The Pick: Mansfield 27, Reading 21
John Botelho, SportsJournal.co:
The Pick: Reading 24, Mansfield 17
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com: Mansfield bounced back after a tough Thanksgiving loss to snap Duxbury's 37-game winning streak and now are looking for their second Super Bowl win over Reading in the last three seasons. After an impressive comeback win in 2010, Mike Redding and the 2012 Hornets are looking to repeat history. Reading is coming in looking as impressive as anyone in the state and will definitely be a formidable foe. I think these Hornets are the real deal and will be the one's raising the hardware at Bentley on Saturday.
The Pick: Mansfield 26, Reading 19
| HockomockSports.com Picks | ||||||||||
| Ryan Lanigan |
Tim Rosenthal |
Josh Perry |
Dan Libon |
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| HockomockSports.com Staff |  |
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| Sharon vs. Wayland Saturday, 10:00 |
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| Mansfield vs. Reading Saturday, 2:00 |
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| Season Total | Lanigan 11-4 | Rosenthal 9-6 | Perry 8-6 | Libon 4-6 |
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