Overview
With three of the four top teams in the Division 3 Southwest bracket coming from the Hockomock, it was almost expected that two of the them would meet up at some point. Now, #1 Oliver Ames will host #4 North Attleboro on Friday night at 7:00 at Muscato Stadium in Easton.
Now Big Red and the Tigers will clash for the first time since 2011 and the winner will advance to the finals of the Division 3 Southwest bracket.
History certainly favors North Attleboro, who holds a 38-7-2 advantage in the series since the two teams first played in 1931. Even more so, North Attleboro has won 17 straight games over Oliver Ames with OA's last win coming in 1994, a 24-13 win at home. However, history means nothing when the two teams actually take the field on Friday night as OA currently sits at 8-0 this season and North Attleboro is 5-3 with three straight wins.
Now Big Red and the Tigers will clash for the first time since 2011 and the winner will advance to the finals of the Division 3 Southwest bracket.
History certainly favors North Attleboro, who holds a 38-7-2 advantage in the series since the two teams first played in 1931. Even more so, North Attleboro has won 17 straight games over Oliver Ames with OA's last win coming in 1994, a 24-13 win at home. However, history means nothing when the two teams actually take the field on Friday night as OA currently sits at 8-0 this season and North Attleboro is 5-3 with three straight wins.
What To Expect
From North Attleboro: The Rocketeers stormed past Walpole 35-7 in the first round behind an increasingly prolific offensive attack led by a developing offensive line that has had to learn on the job this season. With only one returning starter, Evan Sweeney (whose return from injury was also a big boost), there was concern about North Attleboro's strength up front, but last week the line decimated, an admittedly weak, Walpole defense. It opened up holes for 280 yards on the ground and helped sustain scoring drives of 99, 70, and 72 yards. The speed and size of Oliver Ames is far better than Walpole and more akin to the top teams in the Kelley-Rex, but there is confidence running through North Attleboro that the big guys up front have figured it out.
One of the strengths of the Rocketeers all season has been the depth of its running game. After the season-ending injury to Matt D'Attilio, senior Chris Hunter came off the bench to be the power back up the middle, adding steel to the speed of Mike Lambert and Jack Blase. This is not the explosive offense of last year, but a traditional North ground attack that gets defenses moving side to side and having to read who ended up with the ball.
The versatility of quarterback James Kummer as a runner and passer has also helped open up defenses and in recent weeks provided increased scoring punch. Kummer has accounted for seven touchdowns in the past two games and shown that he can make the sideline throws to Blase, and Jake Lang that keep defenses from being able to focus solely on the running game. There has also been an increase in underneath throws to Lambert and Kyle Rodriguez, who both are used in crossing routes in the space between the linebackers and the safeties.
Defensively, Dan Kummer and Maxwell Kroll have been the big names on the defensive line, but it is the linebacking corps of Rodriguez, Hunter, Ellis Badger, and Anthony Raneri that will be counted on to plug the holes and try to stop Matt Berksza and the OA ground game. Rodriguez has turned into the leader of the group, but North uses all of their speed and aggressiveness to shut down teams and force them to try and beat the Rocketeers through the air. This is where North feels it is strongest with its wideouts also being solid cover guys. Again, North hasn't seen a passing game as adept as the Tigers since it played Attleboro, but the Rocketeers were able to limit high powered attacks in Franklin and Walpole.
North has won three games in a row, but all three were also at the friendly grass of Community Field. The Rocketeers are 5-0 at home this season, but 0-3 on the road. Those three were Mansfield, King Philip, and Attleboro, but it is still something of a concern as North heads to Muscato Stadium.
From Oliver Ames: Oliver Ames dominated in their first round game, beating Medfield 49-14 again by using a balanced offense and their defense was one again stout. It's never easy to be seeded #1 because a target is painted on your back, but the Tigers didn't even allow the thought of an upset creep into their minds and took care of business handily. Offensively, the Tigers can beat you in many ways and it all starts with quarterback Nick Cidado. Not only is Cidado one of the best quarterbacks in the league in terms of throwing the ball, he's one of the best running with the football too. He's a perfect example of the versatility that the OA offense has shown throughout their first perfect regular season since 1964.
Cidado has been helped by the emergence of some great receivers around him, including sophomores Andrew Callachan, Franklin Holgate and Sam Kelly, as well as junior Cooper Johnson, and senior tight end Joe Walsh. All of his receivers have the ability to stretch the field while has allowed some some space underneath. When a play breaks down, Cidado is one of the smartest decision makers and can either get out of the pocket and beat you with his feet or get rid of the ball without taking any risk.
A huge compliment to Cidado has been senior running back Matt Berksza, who has had an unbelievable year running the ball for the Tigers. He certainly isn't the biggest back in the league but he might be one of the hardest to tackle. He has the ability to get to the outside around the edge or find space up the middle and shift through. Junior Joey Tepper has been very good at the fullback position and can factor in at short yardage and goal line situations and also provides great lead blocking for the backs.
But one of the strongest parts, if not there strongest part, of the Tigers this season has been the play of their offensive and defensive lines. They are big, strong, physical, and fast and maybe most importantly - very experienced. Specifically on the defensive side of the ball, they are constantly pushing offensive lines back and getting pressure in the backfield.
Some will say Oliver Ames hasn't been tested enough, but their league best 35.5 points per game offensively and their league best 8.63 points allowed per game speak volumes to how good this team really is.
One of the strengths of the Rocketeers all season has been the depth of its running game. After the season-ending injury to Matt D'Attilio, senior Chris Hunter came off the bench to be the power back up the middle, adding steel to the speed of Mike Lambert and Jack Blase. This is not the explosive offense of last year, but a traditional North ground attack that gets defenses moving side to side and having to read who ended up with the ball.
The versatility of quarterback James Kummer as a runner and passer has also helped open up defenses and in recent weeks provided increased scoring punch. Kummer has accounted for seven touchdowns in the past two games and shown that he can make the sideline throws to Blase, and Jake Lang that keep defenses from being able to focus solely on the running game. There has also been an increase in underneath throws to Lambert and Kyle Rodriguez, who both are used in crossing routes in the space between the linebackers and the safeties.
Defensively, Dan Kummer and Maxwell Kroll have been the big names on the defensive line, but it is the linebacking corps of Rodriguez, Hunter, Ellis Badger, and Anthony Raneri that will be counted on to plug the holes and try to stop Matt Berksza and the OA ground game. Rodriguez has turned into the leader of the group, but North uses all of their speed and aggressiveness to shut down teams and force them to try and beat the Rocketeers through the air. This is where North feels it is strongest with its wideouts also being solid cover guys. Again, North hasn't seen a passing game as adept as the Tigers since it played Attleboro, but the Rocketeers were able to limit high powered attacks in Franklin and Walpole.
North has won three games in a row, but all three were also at the friendly grass of Community Field. The Rocketeers are 5-0 at home this season, but 0-3 on the road. Those three were Mansfield, King Philip, and Attleboro, but it is still something of a concern as North heads to Muscato Stadium.
From Oliver Ames: Oliver Ames dominated in their first round game, beating Medfield 49-14 again by using a balanced offense and their defense was one again stout. It's never easy to be seeded #1 because a target is painted on your back, but the Tigers didn't even allow the thought of an upset creep into their minds and took care of business handily. Offensively, the Tigers can beat you in many ways and it all starts with quarterback Nick Cidado. Not only is Cidado one of the best quarterbacks in the league in terms of throwing the ball, he's one of the best running with the football too. He's a perfect example of the versatility that the OA offense has shown throughout their first perfect regular season since 1964.
Cidado has been helped by the emergence of some great receivers around him, including sophomores Andrew Callachan, Franklin Holgate and Sam Kelly, as well as junior Cooper Johnson, and senior tight end Joe Walsh. All of his receivers have the ability to stretch the field while has allowed some some space underneath. When a play breaks down, Cidado is one of the smartest decision makers and can either get out of the pocket and beat you with his feet or get rid of the ball without taking any risk.
A huge compliment to Cidado has been senior running back Matt Berksza, who has had an unbelievable year running the ball for the Tigers. He certainly isn't the biggest back in the league but he might be one of the hardest to tackle. He has the ability to get to the outside around the edge or find space up the middle and shift through. Junior Joey Tepper has been very good at the fullback position and can factor in at short yardage and goal line situations and also provides great lead blocking for the backs.
But one of the strongest parts, if not there strongest part, of the Tigers this season has been the play of their offensive and defensive lines. They are big, strong, physical, and fast and maybe most importantly - very experienced. Specifically on the defensive side of the ball, they are constantly pushing offensive lines back and getting pressure in the backfield.
Some will say Oliver Ames hasn't been tested enough, but their league best 35.5 points per game offensively and their league best 8.63 points allowed per game speak volumes to how good this team really is.
Poll
Game of the Week - The Picks
Ryan Lanigan, HockomockSports.com
History has been on the side of Big Red, especially since 1995 - the year they started their current 17-game win streak against the Tigers. But this isn't you grandfather's Tigers and I think this 2013 Oliver Ames team is the real deal. I might not have said that at the beginning of the season but they have proved throughout the season just how good they are. I think their defense is going to shine once again and their offense will get the job done.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 28, North Attleboro 14
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
It's the first crossover game of the Hockomock season and because of that is also a very difficult game to call. Oliver Ames is very strong on both sides of the ball, but this is a North team that has dominated this matchup and has been coming on strong in recent weeks. In the end, it may come down to the beginning of the game rather than the end. If North scores first and puts pressure on OA it's possible that the experience the Rocketeers have built up this season against top competition could give them an edge. Expect this to be a defensive struggle for much of the game and whichever team turns it over less will be the victor. It's a toss-up in my mind, but I'll take North by the smallest of margins.
The Pick: North Attleboro 24, Oliver Ames 20
Danny Ventura, Boston Herald High Schools
I think the Red Rocketeers are clearly playing their best football of the season, but not sure that is going to be enough. Nick Cidado paves the way for another Tiger victory.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 21, North Attleboro 14
Scott Barboza, ESPNBoston High Schools
North started the season with such momentum in another statement win over BC High. Then, the injury bug hit hard in the midseason and threatened to derail the Big Red's season altogether. They seem like a team of destiny at this point, having encountered as much adversity and still rolling through it all.
The Pick: North Attleboro 17, Oliver Ames 14
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
As one-sided as the series has been, that number can be thrown out in this one. OA has been dominant in every area of the game and there's no reason to expect that to change. They showed last week that the pressure of being a top seed and playing in the playoffs didn't phase them at all. The only question the Tigers haven't answered is whether or not they can win a close a game against a good team (sorry Pembroke). I think the Tigers will be tested by a gritty North Attleboro team, but ultimately their talent will win out. About 90% of my pick is based off that I think it's destiny that OA and Stoughton meet up in a rematch in the Div. 3 Southwest Finals.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 28, Foxboro 20
Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald High Schools
Oliver Ames has simply been hammering people all season long. Since week three, the Tigers have beaten their opponents by a minimum of 28 points. North Attleboro has overcome multiple injuries to key players that aided a midseason swoon and run off three straight of its own, including a four-TD beatdown of a Walpole team who took one of the state's best teams, Natick, to the wire. No matter how many wins they pile up, OA continues to be underrated and has every right to carry a chip on its collective shoulder. I just think North is a lot more battle-tested (lets not forget this team took down BC High in the opening week) and may finally finding its groove
The Pick: North Attleboro 21, Oliver Ames 20
History has been on the side of Big Red, especially since 1995 - the year they started their current 17-game win streak against the Tigers. But this isn't you grandfather's Tigers and I think this 2013 Oliver Ames team is the real deal. I might not have said that at the beginning of the season but they have proved throughout the season just how good they are. I think their defense is going to shine once again and their offense will get the job done.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 28, North Attleboro 14
Josh Perry, HockomockSports.com
It's the first crossover game of the Hockomock season and because of that is also a very difficult game to call. Oliver Ames is very strong on both sides of the ball, but this is a North team that has dominated this matchup and has been coming on strong in recent weeks. In the end, it may come down to the beginning of the game rather than the end. If North scores first and puts pressure on OA it's possible that the experience the Rocketeers have built up this season against top competition could give them an edge. Expect this to be a defensive struggle for much of the game and whichever team turns it over less will be the victor. It's a toss-up in my mind, but I'll take North by the smallest of margins.
The Pick: North Attleboro 24, Oliver Ames 20
Danny Ventura, Boston Herald High Schools
I think the Red Rocketeers are clearly playing their best football of the season, but not sure that is going to be enough. Nick Cidado paves the way for another Tiger victory.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 21, North Attleboro 14
Scott Barboza, ESPNBoston High Schools
North started the season with such momentum in another statement win over BC High. Then, the injury bug hit hard in the midseason and threatened to derail the Big Red's season altogether. They seem like a team of destiny at this point, having encountered as much adversity and still rolling through it all.
The Pick: North Attleboro 17, Oliver Ames 14
Chris McDaniel, The Enterprise
As one-sided as the series has been, that number can be thrown out in this one. OA has been dominant in every area of the game and there's no reason to expect that to change. They showed last week that the pressure of being a top seed and playing in the playoffs didn't phase them at all. The only question the Tigers haven't answered is whether or not they can win a close a game against a good team (sorry Pembroke). I think the Tigers will be tested by a gritty North Attleboro team, but ultimately their talent will win out. About 90% of my pick is based off that I think it's destiny that OA and Stoughton meet up in a rematch in the Div. 3 Southwest Finals.
The Pick: Oliver Ames 28, Foxboro 20
Bruce Lerch, Boston Herald High Schools
Oliver Ames has simply been hammering people all season long. Since week three, the Tigers have beaten their opponents by a minimum of 28 points. North Attleboro has overcome multiple injuries to key players that aided a midseason swoon and run off three straight of its own, including a four-TD beatdown of a Walpole team who took one of the state's best teams, Natick, to the wire. No matter how many wins they pile up, OA continues to be underrated and has every right to carry a chip on its collective shoulder. I just think North is a lot more battle-tested (lets not forget this team took down BC High in the opening week) and may finally finding its groove
The Pick: North Attleboro 21, Oliver Ames 20
| 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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| North Attleboro @ Oliver Ames Friday, 7:00 |
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| Attleboro vs. Bridgewater-Raynham Friday, 7:00 |
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| Mansfield vs. Needham Friday, 7:00 |
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| Stoughton vs. Hopkinton Friday, 6:00 |
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| Canton @ Coyle & Cassidy Friday, 7:00 |
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| Foxboro @ Wareham Friday, 7:00 |
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| Milford @ North Quincy Friday, 7:30 |
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| King Philip @ Marshfield Friday, 7:00 |
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| Taunton @ Durfee Friday, 5:00 |
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| Franklin
@ Brookline Saturday, 11:00AM |
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| Sharon vs. Silver Lake Saturday, 1:00 |
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| Total | Lanigan 29-13 |
Perry 37-5 |
Antonellis 36-6 |
Merritt 21-3 |
Pickette 38-4 |
McDaniel 36-6 |
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