Game of the Week - 09/28/12
Breakdown:
HockomockSports.com is happy to be bringing back the Game of the Week feature, and the game between Stoughton and Mansfield is a perfect way to do it. The first thing that pops into most people’s minds will be last year’s 8-0 shocker, when Stoughton went to Mansfield to pick up the shutout win. This Friday, the Hornets will travel to Anthony L. Sarno Field in Stoughton looking to extract some revenge. The Black Knights enter the game with a 3-0 record while the Hornets stand at 2-1. Both teams have picked up impressive wins, as Stoughton took down Pembroke last week and Mansfield downed Dracut.
Players to Watch:
Both teams have had strong running performances this season. Mansfield’s Robbie Rapoza ran for nearly 250 years last week and tallied four touchdown runs. Stoughton has used a running back by committee approach so far, with great results. Frankie Morris has found the end zone four times on the ground while senior Aaron Mack has two scores. Malachi Baugh, who is very quick, has balanced out the tandem nicely.
Key Matchup:
This might be the first time we say this in the 2012-2013 school year, but it won’t be the last. The matchup we’re looking at is Mansfield wide out Michael Hershman and Stoughton defensive back Marcus Middleton. The two will play against one another throughout basketball season, but will do battle on the gridiron first. Hershman has two touchdown receptions and has been a favorite target of quarterback Kyle Wisnieski. Middleton has been the anchor for the Stoughton defensive backs and came away with an interception last week. Both players play on both sides of the ball, but this will be the match up to watch.
HockomockSports.com is happy to be bringing back the Game of the Week feature, and the game between Stoughton and Mansfield is a perfect way to do it. The first thing that pops into most people’s minds will be last year’s 8-0 shocker, when Stoughton went to Mansfield to pick up the shutout win. This Friday, the Hornets will travel to Anthony L. Sarno Field in Stoughton looking to extract some revenge. The Black Knights enter the game with a 3-0 record while the Hornets stand at 2-1. Both teams have picked up impressive wins, as Stoughton took down Pembroke last week and Mansfield downed Dracut.
Players to Watch:
Both teams have had strong running performances this season. Mansfield’s Robbie Rapoza ran for nearly 250 years last week and tallied four touchdown runs. Stoughton has used a running back by committee approach so far, with great results. Frankie Morris has found the end zone four times on the ground while senior Aaron Mack has two scores. Malachi Baugh, who is very quick, has balanced out the tandem nicely.
Key Matchup:
This might be the first time we say this in the 2012-2013 school year, but it won’t be the last. The matchup we’re looking at is Mansfield wide out Michael Hershman and Stoughton defensive back Marcus Middleton. The two will play against one another throughout basketball season, but will do battle on the gridiron first. Hershman has two touchdown receptions and has been a favorite target of quarterback Kyle Wisnieski. Middleton has been the anchor for the Stoughton defensive backs and came away with an interception last week. Both players play on both sides of the ball, but this will be the match up to watch.
What To Expect...
...from Mansfield: Most of the talk about the Mansfield Hornets this week will center on star tailback Rob Rapoza. The senior ran for 242 yards and scored four touchdowns against a solid, but young Dracut team last weekend. Add on the power running game of captain Kevin Makie and the Hornets can dominate the game on the ground. However, this is not a one dimensional offensive attack. Junior quarterback Kyle Wisnieski has plenty of targets in the passing game, including fellow junior Michael Hershman and sophomore Brendan Hill. The passing game is more about accuracy and moving the chains than creating big plays, but the balance of run and pass makes the Hornets offense very dangerous, as evidenced by the 469 yards they racked up against the Middies. Defensively, senior lineman James Comer was a beast against Needham and continually got into the backfield to pressure the quarterback. Rapoza and William Palanza are quick linebackers and Makie is a hard hitting defenisve back.On the end, 6'4" 265-pound Antonio Medeiros is a force to be reckoned with and could overwhelm the Stoughton offensive and defensive lines. In the past, this might have been a game that Mansfield overlooked, but after last year's 8-0 shock in the monsoon I would expect the Hornets to be supremely focused on getting revenge. - Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
...from Stoughton: In three games this season Stoughton has allowed just 20 points and forced 12 turnovers on defense. This, coupled with an increase in efficiency in offense from a year ago, is the reason Stoughton is 3-0 to start the season. The Stoughton offense has averaged 25.7 points per game and has turned the ball over just three times. Stoughton is going to need to win the turnover battle Friday night if the Black Knights are to upset Mansfield for a second straight season.
The Black Knights bend-but-don't-break defense will be put to the test by the likes of Robert Rapoza, Kyle Wisnieski and Mike Hershman. Mansfield is one of the league's better passing teams but the Hornets will be going up against a ball-hawking Stoughton secondary. Stoughton has done a good job of limiting the big play this season. Opposing offenses are able to advance to the Stoughton side of the field, but they are rarely able to get inside the red zone. Can Stoughton keep this trend going against Mansfield?
Mansfield will be favored, but if the Stoughton team that we've seen over the first three weeks of the season comes to play Friday night, the Black Knights are capable of winning. - Jeff Pickette, Stoughton Patch
...from Mansfield: Most of the talk about the Mansfield Hornets this week will center on star tailback Rob Rapoza. The senior ran for 242 yards and scored four touchdowns against a solid, but young Dracut team last weekend. Add on the power running game of captain Kevin Makie and the Hornets can dominate the game on the ground. However, this is not a one dimensional offensive attack. Junior quarterback Kyle Wisnieski has plenty of targets in the passing game, including fellow junior Michael Hershman and sophomore Brendan Hill. The passing game is more about accuracy and moving the chains than creating big plays, but the balance of run and pass makes the Hornets offense very dangerous, as evidenced by the 469 yards they racked up against the Middies. Defensively, senior lineman James Comer was a beast against Needham and continually got into the backfield to pressure the quarterback. Rapoza and William Palanza are quick linebackers and Makie is a hard hitting defenisve back.On the end, 6'4" 265-pound Antonio Medeiros is a force to be reckoned with and could overwhelm the Stoughton offensive and defensive lines. In the past, this might have been a game that Mansfield overlooked, but after last year's 8-0 shock in the monsoon I would expect the Hornets to be supremely focused on getting revenge. - Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
...from Stoughton: In three games this season Stoughton has allowed just 20 points and forced 12 turnovers on defense. This, coupled with an increase in efficiency in offense from a year ago, is the reason Stoughton is 3-0 to start the season. The Stoughton offense has averaged 25.7 points per game and has turned the ball over just three times. Stoughton is going to need to win the turnover battle Friday night if the Black Knights are to upset Mansfield for a second straight season.
The Black Knights bend-but-don't-break defense will be put to the test by the likes of Robert Rapoza, Kyle Wisnieski and Mike Hershman. Mansfield is one of the league's better passing teams but the Hornets will be going up against a ball-hawking Stoughton secondary. Stoughton has done a good job of limiting the big play this season. Opposing offenses are able to advance to the Stoughton side of the field, but they are rarely able to get inside the red zone. Can Stoughton keep this trend going against Mansfield?
Mansfield will be favored, but if the Stoughton team that we've seen over the first three weeks of the season comes to play Friday night, the Black Knights are capable of winning. - Jeff Pickette, Stoughton Patch
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.
Dan Ventura, Boston Herald High Schools – It's not going to take much for Mansfield coach Mike Redding to get his team motivated for Stoughton, even though it is technically a crossover (nonleague game). Stoughton's defense, always a strength under coach Greg Burke, has allowed just three touchdowns on the season. But Mansfield figures to present the Stoughton stop corps with its biggest challenge to date. It's very hard to beat Mansfield twice in a row and, while we respect Stoughton a great deal, the edge here goes to Mansfield.
The Pick: Mansfield 19, Stoughton 13
Tim Rosenthal, HockomockSports.com – Stoughton shocked the Hock last year with its upset over Mansfield in its Hockomock League debut in a defensive struggle. With showers in the forecast Friday night, its safe to say that two prominent defenses will be on display again, but I expect Michael Hershman and Mansfield to get revenge from last year in another close contest.
The Pick: Mansfield 13, Stoughton 10
Dan Libon, WrenthamPatch – Last year Stoughton beat Mansfield in a absolute downpour and sloppy game. While there are few showers forecasted for Friday, don't expect last year's game to repeat. I don't see how Stoughton is going to stop running back Robbie Rapoza so I predict a Mansfield win as we'll see what Stoughton is made of Friday night.
The Pick: Mansfield 28, Stoughton 7
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com – The 8-0 loss at Alumni Field in 2011 will focus the Hornets and they will want to to send a message this time around. They have the offensive weapons to do it. Rob Rapoza (4 TD's against Dracut last week) and Kevin Makie are a great 1-2 punch on the ground and Kyle Wisnieski has the accuracy to find Michael Hershman and Brendan Hill in the passing game. Each of those players also provides pop in the defensive side of the ball along with defensive linemen Antonio Medeiros and James Comer providing pressure in the backfield. The Hornets have played a tough early season schedule and will be desperate to get revenge for last year. I expect them to jump out early and win big,
The Pick: Mansfield 35, Stoughton 14
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston.com – Last season Stoughton delivered one of the surprise knockout blows of the earlygoing with an 8-0 shutout of these same Hornets. However, this is a faster, smarter Mansfield squad that has grown up quickly. I'm predicting a tough night for the Black Knights secondary, however talented they are.
The Pick: Mansfield 21, Stoughton 7
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com – The weather could play a factor again this year, and this time, they won’t be playing on the turf at Mansfield. They both have dangerous running games which could mean that game changing play might come somewhere different – possibly a pass, special teams play, or defensive touchdown. Mansfield’s Michael Hershman might be the difference in this game but not at wide out, but rather as the kicker.
The Pick: Mansfield 24, Stoughton 21
Dan Ventura, Boston Herald High Schools – It's not going to take much for Mansfield coach Mike Redding to get his team motivated for Stoughton, even though it is technically a crossover (nonleague game). Stoughton's defense, always a strength under coach Greg Burke, has allowed just three touchdowns on the season. But Mansfield figures to present the Stoughton stop corps with its biggest challenge to date. It's very hard to beat Mansfield twice in a row and, while we respect Stoughton a great deal, the edge here goes to Mansfield.
The Pick: Mansfield 19, Stoughton 13
Tim Rosenthal, HockomockSports.com – Stoughton shocked the Hock last year with its upset over Mansfield in its Hockomock League debut in a defensive struggle. With showers in the forecast Friday night, its safe to say that two prominent defenses will be on display again, but I expect Michael Hershman and Mansfield to get revenge from last year in another close contest.
The Pick: Mansfield 13, Stoughton 10
Dan Libon, WrenthamPatch – Last year Stoughton beat Mansfield in a absolute downpour and sloppy game. While there are few showers forecasted for Friday, don't expect last year's game to repeat. I don't see how Stoughton is going to stop running back Robbie Rapoza so I predict a Mansfield win as we'll see what Stoughton is made of Friday night.
The Pick: Mansfield 28, Stoughton 7
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com – The 8-0 loss at Alumni Field in 2011 will focus the Hornets and they will want to to send a message this time around. They have the offensive weapons to do it. Rob Rapoza (4 TD's against Dracut last week) and Kevin Makie are a great 1-2 punch on the ground and Kyle Wisnieski has the accuracy to find Michael Hershman and Brendan Hill in the passing game. Each of those players also provides pop in the defensive side of the ball along with defensive linemen Antonio Medeiros and James Comer providing pressure in the backfield. The Hornets have played a tough early season schedule and will be desperate to get revenge for last year. I expect them to jump out early and win big,
The Pick: Mansfield 35, Stoughton 14
Brendan Hall, ESPNBoston.com – Last season Stoughton delivered one of the surprise knockout blows of the earlygoing with an 8-0 shutout of these same Hornets. However, this is a faster, smarter Mansfield squad that has grown up quickly. I'm predicting a tough night for the Black Knights secondary, however talented they are.
The Pick: Mansfield 21, Stoughton 7
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com – The weather could play a factor again this year, and this time, they won’t be playing on the turf at Mansfield. They both have dangerous running games which could mean that game changing play might come somewhere different – possibly a pass, special teams play, or defensive touchdown. Mansfield’s Michael Hershman might be the difference in this game but not at wide out, but rather as the kicker.
The Pick: Mansfield 24, Stoughton 21
| HockomockSports.com Picks | ||||||||||
| Ryan Lanigan |
Tim Rosenthal |
Josh Perry |
Dan Libon |
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| HockomockSports.com Staff |  |
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| Mansfield @ Stoughton Friday 7:00PM |
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| Season | Lanigan 0-0 | Rosenthal 0-0 | Perry 0-0 | Libon 0-0 |
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