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THE SUPER TEAM

Guard – Aaron Calixte, Jr., Stoughton
An exceptional athlete gifted with a tenacious motor, and one of the state's most dynamic scorers, the 5-foot-11 Calixte was the driving force behind the Black Knight's run to the Division 2 Eastern Mass. final, and asserted himself as the state's premier point guard. For his junior season, he averaged 19 points and six assists, and was named a Hockomock League All-Star. Calixte also stands out on the gridiron for the Black Knights' football squad.

Guard – Tyrese Hoxter, Jr., Charlestown
After playing in the shadows of former All-Stater Akosa Maduegbunam a year ago, the 6-foot-3 Hoxter thoroughly burst onto the scene and had a monster campaign for the Townies, leading them to the TD Garden floor for the first time since 2005 before bowing out to Brockton in the Division 1 Eastern Mass. Final. This season he averaged 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Guard – Tyrell Springer, Sr., Springfield Central
After falling short of a state title two seasons ago with New Leadership, the 6-foot-2 Springer led Central to the DCU Center floor this season where the Golden Eagles captured their first Division 1 state title since 1991. The centerpiece of one of the state's most athletic lineups, Springer averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, seven assists and 7.3 steals. He is undecided on college plans.

Forward – Jake Layman, Sr., King Philip
The 6-foot-8 Layman was one of the most dominant players in Massachusetts this season, with the ability to score both inside and out, as the Warriors set a school single-season record for wins (18) before suffering a surprise upset in the Division 2 South quarterfinals. In 21 games, he averaged 26.5 points, 16 rebounds, 5.8 blocks, 3.2 assists and three steals. He closes his career with with 1,752 points, 1,098 rebounds and 391 blocks, giving him career averages of 20.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.6 blocks, 2.8 steals and 2.6 assists. This is his second appearance on the Super Team; he also captured the Hockomock League's MVP for the second straight season. Layman, who was named ESPN Boston's "Mr. Basketball" earlier this week, is ranked the nation's No. 62 overall senior by ESPN, and will continue his career next season at the University of Maryland.

Center – Sayvonn Houston, Sr., Brockton
A nightly double-double machine, Houston established himself as one of the state's most dominant true centers, making life difficult down low as the Boxers went 23-3 and made their first Division 1 state final appearance since 1985. He saved his biggest performances for the biggest stages, such as his 20-20 night in the Division 1 South semifinals, or his 22-point, 13-rebound effort in Brockton's overtime win over Charlestown in the Division 1 Eastern Mass. Final at TD Garden. Houston is undecided on college plans.

BEST OF THE REST

Jalen Adams, Soph. G, Melrose
Quickly rising as one of the Bay State's most complete scoring guards, the 6-foot-1 Adams took home Middlesex League MVP honors after averaging 21 points per game. He led the Red Raiders to an 18-2 regular season record, before they fell to state runner-up Brighton in the Division 2 North semifinals. Adams has already declared that he will be transferring to Wilbraham & Monson Academy next season, where he will reclassify to the Class of 2015.

Jaylen Blakely, Jr. G, Brockton
Like Houston, the 5-foot-11 Blakely saved some of his best performances for the crunch time in the playoffs, such as his eight-assist performance in the Boxers' win over Catholic Memorial. Blakely distributed evenly to Brockton's talented shooters and post players, as they went 23-3 and reached their first state final appearance since 1985.

Matt Droney, Sr. F, Catholic Memorial
A terrific shooter, the 6-foot-4 Droney was named the Catholic Conference's MVP after a season of averaging 20.7 points, six assists and five rebounds per game. He also became the eighth player in school history to surpass 1,000 points earlier this season. The Canton resident will be doing a post-graduate season next year at the Taft School in Connecticut.

Darien Fernandez, Jr. G, Wareham
The 5-foot-7 waterbug demonstrated a tenacious motor in leading the Vikings to their second Division 3 Eastern Mass. Final appearance in three seasons. Wareham was the state's last unbeaten before losing to state champion Danvers. For the season, Fernandez averaged 24 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and five steals, and recorded three triple-doubles. He needs just 45 points next season to reach 1,000 for his career.

Rony Fernandez, Sr. G, Charlestown
Fernandez was one of the most outstanding point guards of the MIAA tournament, leading the Townies to a thrilling win over Lexington in the Division 1 North final before bowing out to state runner-up Brockton in the Eastern Mass. Finals. For the season he averaged 16 points and seven assists. He is undecided on college plans, but is currently fielding interest from Division 1 programs such as Maine, Northeastern and Hartford.

Joey Glynn, Sr. F, Cardinal Spellman
The 6-foot-5 Abington resident did it all this season for the Cardinals, averaging a double-double (18.5 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, 2.2 blocks) as they lost to Eastern Mass. runner-up Wareham in the Division 3 South semifinals. For his career, Glynn scored 1,425 points. He will continue his career next season at Bentley University.

Steve Haladyna, Sr. G/F, St. John’s Prep
One of two repeat All-Staters, the 6-foot-3 Haladyna was unable to lead the Eagles deep in their Division 1 state title defense, but he still leaves the Danvers campus as one of its most decorated basketball stars. He averaged 22.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, both team highs, and for his career he finishes with 1,392 points -- second all-time on Prep's scoring list. The South Hamilton resident will continue his career next season at Tufts University.

Malik James, Soph. G, Brighton
The 6-foot-1 James elevated his game when the Bengals needed it most, as they made their first state final appearance in school history, falling to Mahar in the Division 2 title game. For the season, James averaged 18.1 points, 8.2 assists and 4.2 rebounds as the Bengals won their first-ever Eastern Mass. title.

Jameilen Jones, Jr. G, BC High
BC High's season came to an unexpected halt as the Eagles loss in the first round of the Division 1 South tournament, but the 6-foot-2 Jones has established himself as one of Eastern Mass.'s premier two-way players. For the season, he averaged 17 points and eight rebounds as the Eagles went 15-6.

Zach Karalis, Sr. G, North Andover
The 6-foot-1 Karalis was one of the driving forces for the Scarlet Knights, who went 21-2 and reached the playoffs an unprecedented 47th straight time. For the season he averaged 15.9 points and shot 46 percent from the field, to go along with 6.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.8 steals. Karalis will continue his career next season at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Kevin LaFrancis, Sr. C, Acton-Boxborough
After a stellar season in leading the 21-2 Colonials to a Division 1 North semifinal appearance, the 6-foot-6 LaFrancis was named the Dual County League's MVP. He averaged 19.5 points and eight rebounds this season, and finishes his career at A-B with 1,012 career points. He is undecided on college plans.

Alex Lopez, Sr. G, Springfield Commerce
The 5-foot-10 Lopez led the Valley League in scoring for the second straight season, averaging 22.3 points as the Red Raiders went to the Division 1 Western Mass. Finals and took state champion Springfield Central to the wire. He led Western Mass. in field goals made (185) and total points (512). Lopez is currently undecided on college plans.

Damian Lugay, Sr. G, Weymouth
The 6-foot-2 Lugay led the Wildcats to a second straight 17-win season, before they were bounced in the first round of the Division 1 South tournament. For the season he averaged 18.1 points and just under four assists, and leaves Weymouth as a two-time First Team All-Bay State Conference. Lugay is undecided on college plans.

George Merry, Sr. C, Danvers
At 6-foot-7, Merry was a force at both ends of the floor for the Falcons, known for his ability to redirect shots as much as his scoring touch. He averaged 16.1 points, eight rebounds and 6.6 blocks as Danvers captured its first Division 3 state championship in school history. Merry is currently undecided on college plans, but showing interest from several schools in Divisions 2 and 3.

Marcus Middleton, Jr. G, Stoughton
Tasked nightly with locking down the opposition's top scorer, Middleton established himself as one of the state's premier on-ball defenders. Middleton averaged 16 points per game for the Black Knights, who won the Division 2 South title before bowing out to state runner-up Brighton in the Eastern Mass. championship at TD Garden. Middleton also stars on Stoughton's football squad.

Matt Mobley, Sr. G/F, St. Peter-Marian
One of state's most pleasant late-blooming surprises, the 6-foot-3 Mobley was one of the leading scorers in Central Mass. as the Guardians made it all the way to the Division 1 Central Final. For the season, he averaged 23.2 points in leading SPM to its most successful season under head coach Marcus Watson. Mobley finished his career at SPM with 1,175 points, and will do a post-graduate season next year at Worcester Academy.

Tyler Nelson, Soph. G, Central Catholic
The 5-foot-11 Nelson established himself as one of the state's premier shooters, as the Raiders made it to the Division 1 North semifinals before bowing out to champion Charlestown. He averaged 15.5 points and four assists this season, shot 42 percent from three-point range, and 91 percent from the free throw line.

Colin Richey, Jr. G, Whitinsville Christian
After winning a Division 3 state title a year ago, the 6-foot Richey nearly led them back, as the Crusaders lost in the final seconds to state runner-up St. Joseph Central in the state semifinals. For the seaosn, Richey averaged 16.8 points, 6.7 assist and 6.3 rebounds for the Dual Valley League champions.

Kamari Robinson, Jr. F, Springfield Central
The 6-foot-5 Robinson was a rock underneath for the Golden Eagles, who captured their first Division 1 state title since 1991 and third overall. He was a nightly double-double threat this season, averaging 13 points, 11 rebounds, four steals and three assists, as Central went undefeated in Massachusetts.

Michael Thorpe, Sr. G, Newton North
The Tigers went run-and-gun this season, and the 5-foot-11 Thorpe kept them thoroughly going. One year after reaching the Division 1 South finals, he nearly led them back, before losing to state runner-up Brockton in the semifinals. He was named the Bay State Conference's MVP, with averages of 15 points and four assists. Thorpe will continue his career next season at Emerson College.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
MARCUS MIDDLETON, STOUGHTON
The kind of on-ball pressure Middleton provided nightly to some of the state's premier scorers can take its toll physically, but he was routinely up to the task. As teammate Aaron Calixte saw a barrage of double-teams and box-and-one's, Middleton did his part at the other end, hedging off screens and staying one one's hip, chasing them all over the floor. As much praise as Calixte will get in this unprecedented season for the Knights, an equal amount must be thrown Middleton's way.

ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
G – Marcus Middleton, Jr., Stoughton
G – Anthony Hodges, Sr., Holy Name
G – Darien Fernandez, Jr., Wareham
F – Jake Layman, Sr., King Philip
C – George Merry, Sr., Danvers

COACH OF THE YEAR
HUGH COLEMAN, BRIGHTON
The Bengals lost their best player before the start of the tournament, and backpedaled into the playoffs with uninspiring losses to Acton-Boxborough and Madison Park. Yet in the end, they were one step away from the school's first-ever state title. Coleman is an unabashed disciple of the legendary Jack O'Brien, and staples of those historic Charlestown squads are sprinkled all over the program. Not only has Coleman done a remarkable job bringing the team to heights never before reached in his three seasons at the helm, but this is a program that will be dangerous for the next few years.

RUNNERS-UP:
Paul Connolly, Newton North
Dean O'Connor, Franklin

FINALISTS:
Kevin Brogioli, Wareham
John Gallivan, Stoughton
Reggie Hobbs, Lexington
Malcolm Smith, East Boston
Chad Softic, Mahar
John Walsh, Danvers
Dennis Wilson, Madison Park

Shortly after University of Massachusetts football coach Charley Molnar secured his first recruiting class in February, he talked about how he wanted New England players to form the foundation of his program. Apparently that was more than just talk.

UMass has clearly made New England –- and Massachusetts in particular –- the focus of much of its recruiting efforts.

BC High offensive lineman Jack McDonald, Everett offensive lineman John Montelus, Xaverian defensive lineman Maurice Hurst Jr., Tabor Academy defensive lineman Tevin Montgomery, BB&N tight end Brendan O'Neil and Catholic Memorial defensive end Peter Ngobidi have each received a scholarship offer from UMass, which held two junior days last month.

In addition, Todd Stafford, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound quarterback from the Brunswick School in Greenwich, Conn., committed to UMass on Thursday. He became UMass' first commitment from the class of 2013.

“I went to the first junior day and [Molnar] said with the move to the MAC they want to start with the local kids,” McDonald said. “He talked about how good the talent is around here, and they want to bring in as many local kids as they can.”

UMass has been competing at the FCS level in the Colonial Athletic Association, but will move up to the FBS level when it begins play in the MAC next season. The Minutemen won't play on campus, but will use Gillette Stadium as their home field.

“It's a little bit of a drive from the campus, but I got to play at Gillette in last year's Super Bowl and it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” McDonald said. “They'll have their own locker room there. I think the positives will outweigh the negatives.”

McDonald also has offers from Boston College and Maryland, and has received significant interest from Duke and Temple.

“Right now I'm considering everything,” he said.

Montelus and Hurst each have at least 10 Division 1 scholarship offers. Hurst received his offer from UMass while at one of the junior days last month.

“I'll definitely consider UMass,” Hurst said. “I really like the coaching staff and a lot of Mass. kids seem to be going there.”

There were six players from New England in Molnar's first recruiting class: wide receiver Khary Bailey Smith (Weymouth), tight end Nevin Cyr (Pelham, N.H.), quarterback A.J. Doyle (Lakeville), linebacker Vondell Langston (Everett), linebacker John Robinson (Springfield) and linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox (Middletown, Conn.).

Wide receiver Derek Beck, a New Jersey native who played at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton, Maine, signed with UMass as well.

Jake Kennedy, who is perhaps the best offensive lineman from New Hampshire in the Class of 2013, also has a UMass offer. Kennedy plays for Souhegan High School in Amherst.

Kennedy received his offer from UMass defensive line coach Dave Sollazzo earlier this week. He's also receiving interest from Boston College, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Brown and Harvard.

Kennedy said UMass is a school he'll strongly consider.

“Most definitely,” he said. “I could see myself there.”

WEYMOUTH, Mass. --- Despite a valiant fourth quarter Weymouth comeback the visiting No. 14 seed Mansfield Hornets held on to win a hard-fought 69-66 victory in the first round of the Division 1 South sectionals.

Mansfield held a 56-36 lead over the No. 3 seed Wildcats heading into the fourth quarter. Mansfield built their lead by dominating the rebounding edge through the first three quarters and knocking down key 3-point shots in the middle quarters of the game.

“We needed every single point of that 20-point lead,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Vaughan. “Weymouth is senior lead group and they were not going to go down without a fight.”

The host Wildcats, playing with their backs up against the wall and down by 20 points in the fourth quarter, came out firing and applied a full-court man-to-man press that gave Mansfield problems down the stretch.

Weymouth senior guard Colyn Ahola came off the bench to score 20 points, with 10 coming in the final quarter, to help lead the comeback. Sophomore forward Ryan Jones also added a physical post presence for the Wildcats to help combat some of Mansfield’s height and rebounding advantage.

The Wildcats scored 30 fourth quarter points but it was not enough as Mansfield freshman forward Brendan Hill hit three important foul shots down the stretch to help seal the three point victory for the Hornets.

The 6-foot-3 Hill scored nine of his 18 points in the fourth quarter to go along seven rebounds, two assists and two steals on the night.

Weymouth was led by 6-foot-4 senior forward Terrance O’Mara who scored 20 points (15 in the first half), pulled down six rebounds and dished out four assists to help pace the Green Hornets offense. The senior also provided a defensive post presence in Mansfield’s zone that helped keep the Wildcats out of the paint.

“I think we did a good job of clogging up the paint and neutralizing a lot of their athleticism,” said Vaughn. “It helped put us in a position that we could get the rebounding edge.”

Mansfield led 33-25 at the half and built their largest lead in third quarter as they outscored the Wildcats 43-25 during the two middle quarters. They also held an 18-8 rebounding edge during those two quarters.

“We worked real hard to get position and box out,” said O’Mara. “It is a tribute to coach and how hard we work in practice. He works us really hard and it is all for the best.”

Youthful experience: Mansfield has a balanced roster of youth and experience and they got big contributions on Thursday night from their young players in Hill, sophomore point guard Ryan DeAndrade (8 points), and sophomore guard Michael Hershman (10 points).

“They having been doing it for us all year,” said Vaughan. “Sometimes they hit the freshman and sophomore walls but at the end of the day they are very skilled and very talented basketball players and overall they came up with some real big plays for us tonight.

O’Mara echoed his coach’s thoughts.

“These young guys are so talented," said O’Mara. “They are going to have a real bright future. That being said this is the best team chemistry of any team I have ever played on.”

Lugay Goes Out Scoring: Weymouth senior guard Damian Lugay did not score until midway through the second quarter but the senior lit the basket on fire from that point on, scoring a team-high 23 points with six 3-pointers.

Lugay and his 10 senior teammates finish their careers with impressive winning resumes. They finish the 2011-2012 season with a 17-4 record after going 18-4 last season.

Next up… Franklin: It is only fitting that Franklin defeated BC High on Thursday night as the two Hockomock League rivals will meet for a third time in the D1 South sectional quarter-finals on Saturday in Franklin.

“I am friends with almost everyone on Franklin’s team,” said O’Mara after hearing of their impending re-match. “It should be real fun and we are looking forward to playing them again.”

Franklin defeated Mansfield in both of their prior match-ups this season. Franklin won their most recent contest by 18 points, 60-42, on February 14 when the teams last played in Mansfield.

WEYMOUTH, Mass. -- We're nearly a week past the first day high school seniors are permitted to sign National Letters of Intent for football, but last night was the first chance we've had the opportunity to catch up with Weymouth wide receiver Khary Bailey-Smith since he signed with UMass exactly one week ago.

Bailey-Smith, a member of ESPN Boston's MIAA All-State Team last fall after catching 936 yards and 13 touchdowns. He spoke with us as he warmed up for the Wildcats' basketball contest with Newton North, an eventual 73-63 loss.

When he decided: "The night before [Jan. 31]. I was pretty sure a couple days earlier, but I was still going back and forth in my mind about whether I felt like it was the right school for me. But I made the right decision."

What made it the right decision: "The chance to play football at Division 1 [FBS] level. And also, the chance to jump with track, and it's not too far away from home."

His duties with the track and field program: "High jump. I'll probably just do spring, because of football."

Other schools he considered: "UConn and Pitt. They were partial scholarships for track."

What the coaching staff envisions his role being: "They said the best player gets to play. They have me coming in at safety, and that if they need help at wide receiver on offense and I show up at practice, do my stuff, I'm looking good at wide receiver, then maybe I'll get a shot. But, more defense, and it's up to me to show that I have what it takes to play on the field."

What he'll be working on between now and the day he reports to camp: "We haven't really talked about that much yet. I'm just trying to relax a little bit after that stressful period, but I'll get back in touch in not too long, and we'll talk about that more...I'm going to go train and do some conditioning, and I'm doing spring track so that should keep me in shape. I'll go out with Cam [quarterback Cam McLevedge], who's going to St. Anselm, and catch some passes, run routes, work on my coverage and technique."

On his official visit to UMass: "I took it the weekend before signing day. I liked it, it was fun there. Everyone got along really well, and the coaching staff sounded like they were into this. It sold me."

Did he go down to Gillette Stadium? "No, but I've been there a couple times, seen it. It's a very nice facility, and I can't wait to call it home."

WEYMOUTH, Mass. -- Players from the Weymouth basketball team looked up at the scoreboard at their home gym as they headed into the halftime break, glanced at the 34-9 score, and dipped into the locker room to the chorus of a "single digits" chant from the visiting Newton North student section.

Then the Wildcats came out swinging, and cut the Tigers' lead to single digits, outscoring them 41-19 over the first 11 minutes of the half to close the gap to 55-50. But some key transition basket from two clutch seniors, and a dagger 3-pointer from a promising freshman, put the finishing touches on a 73-63 Newton North victory that puts the Tigers in control of the Bay State Conference's Carey division.

And so just 48 hour after losing a thriller in overtime to red-hot Brockton, the Tigers quickly rebounded with one of their strongest performances of the season's second half.

"We knew they were going to make a run. Basketball is a game of runs," North head coach Paul Connolly said. "Ours was early, theirs was in the middle, and we hung on and did what we had to do. We're in their gym, they're not going to lay down. You've got some tough, tough, city-type athletes here in Weymouth. That's a really good team, so for us to come in their gym, play the way we played early, was terrific."

To put it bluntly, the Wildcats (13-2, 12-2) couldn't buy a bucket in the first half, going 4-for-23 from the field and 0-for-7 from the free throw line. Between a plethora of shots that hit iron, and a mix of 2-2-1 and diamond-and-one presses from the Tigers (15-1, 13-0), the Wildcats appeared overwhelmed at first.

But they came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, opening with a 12-3 run, ending the third quarter with a Khary Bailey-Smith breakaway two-handed slam that energized the home crowd, and eventually cutting North's lead down to 55-50 with five minutes to go.

"We talked about not handling their press well, and about getting in the middle and reversing it," Weymouth head coach Jim Dolan said of the half-time adjustments. "We didn't do a good job of that in the first half, and a much better job of it in the second half. But our guys didn't quit. Newton North is a great program, and you can't spot anybody a 25-point lead, nevermind a Newton North lead."

North responded down the stretch with clutch performances from its biggest playmakers to ice this one. Down low, senior forward Barry Santana (20 points, 17 rebounds) stepped out to the wing and hit Luke Westman with a backdoor touch pass. Westman picked up the foul in the process, and converted the three-point play, to make it 59-50 with just under four minutes to go.

A few possessions later, Santana took a high entry lob over the top from freshman Tommy Mobley for a wide-open lay-in; he followed up the next trip down with a layup off a pick-and-roll with Michael Thorpe (20 points) to make it 65-54 with two minutes left.

Mobley then put the clamps down on this one with a dagger 3-pointer from the left wing, off a long pass from the opposite corner by Westman, to make it 68-57 with 1:37 to go.

Damian Lugay led the Wildcats in scoring with 17 points, while junior Connor Deegan added 13.

Oye Como Va: Since the Tigers won back-to-back MIAA Division 1 state titles in 2005 and 2006 by pushing a fast pace with an NCAA Division 1 backcourt of Anthony Gurley (Wake Forest/UMass) and Corey Lowe (Boston University), they have had a size luxury. From the 6-foot-8 Greg Kelley (currently a sophomore at Yale) to 6-foot-8 Tevin Falzon (a post-graduate a Winchendon who has signed with Sacred Heart) to his younger brother Aaron (who has since transferred to St. Mark's), it had been a gradual switch to a halfcourt-oriented offense.

In 2011-12, the Tigers present a dramatically different look in the frontcourt, with the 6-foot-2 Santana being counted on for a role once owned by players nearly half a foot taller than him. For once unable to rely on a shot-blocking big man behind the play for help, this guard-heavy lineup loves to run up and down the court

It was Santana's five rebounds in the first quarter that enabled the Tigers to push such a tempo in transition and open with a 12-2 run that set the tone for the night. On both ends, the undersized Santana does the dirty work underneath night after night, in spite of his guard-like frame.

"I thought the difference in the game at so many levels was Barry," Connolly said. "Barry was so active all night long. He was on the glass, loose balls, defensively, he easily had a double-double tonight. He kept balls alive for us."

Thorpe said Santana is "an animal."

"He's just always going, no matter what," Thorpe said. "He gets so excited for these games, and just loves to go. Nobody's going to stop him, he doesn't like to lose, and when we lost to Brockton (on Sunday) he took it really hard. He made sure to make a statement coming out tonight. I love playing with him."

Thorpe stepping up: Connolly commented on Thorpe's play over the last week and half, stressing that the Emerson-bound senior has "really shown some great point guard ability."

"He's really, really solid," Connolly said. "I get on him in terms of turnovers, missed assignments sometimes. But he takes it, he's real coachable. His point guard ability in the last couple of weeks has really elevated."

Also playing a motivating factor? Public perception.

"You've kind of just got to step up," Thorpe said. "You know people are talking about you, 'Newton North this, Newton North that'...coming into the season, people were like 'Oh, Newton North doesn't have any size', blah blah, 'They're going to be mediocre at best'. Then we blow the head off, we win our first 14 games and [now] people are like 'Whoa, Newton North is this'."

'Mobley Time', part 2: Last month, we introduced the term "Mobley Time" on this blog to characterize St. Peter-Marian senior swingman Matt Mobley and his knack for explosive late-game performances. Perhaps Tommy Mobley, North's promising sharp-shooter of a freshman, could be the heir apparent.

The 15-year-old Mobley, brother of former North star and Yale sophomore Greg Kelley, has been known to put up as many as 1,000 jump shots in a day. It shows on the court; there are few freshman seen at the MIAA level with not only stout confidence in his shot, but mastery of it -- a repeatable follow-through, perfect 60-degree arc, soft touch and quick release.

Mobley didn't enter the game until the fourth quarter tonight, and it's probably hard for the unfamiliar to believe that the shot he took seems so automatic coming off his hands. But just ask his coaches and teammates what it's like playing with him.

"It's a blessing, just to have him coming off the bench," Thorpe said. "You know when it goes up, it's going in. It's beautiful to have a kid like that."

Said Connolly, "He's fearless, he's a real weapon for us. He's got a great attitude, he's real, real coachable."

With many teams across the state reaching the midway point of their schedule this week, here are my mid-season picks for our annual MIAA All-State, All-Defensive, and Coach of the Year awards.

THE SUPER TEAM
G – Aaron Calixte, Jr., Stoughton
G – Steve Haladyna, Sr., St. John’s Prep
G – Tyrese Hoxter, Jr., Charlestown
F – Jake Layman, Sr., King Philip
F – Isshiah Coleman, Jr., New Mission

BEST OF THE REST
Yadoris Arias, Sr. G, Lawrence
Tyler Delorey, Sr. G, Holy Name
Matt Droney, Sr. G/F, Catholic Memorial
Joey Glynn, Sr. F, Cardinal Spellman
Leroy Hamilton, Sr. F, New Mission
Jameilen Jones, Jr. G, BC High
Kevin LaFrancis, Sr. C, Acton-Boxborough
Alex Lopez, Sr. G, Springfield Commerce
Damian Lugay, Sr. G, Weymouth
George Merry, Sr. C, Danvers
Marcus Middleton, Jr. G, Stoughton
Matt Mobley, Sr. G/F, St. Peter-Marian
Brian Mukasa, Soph. G, Sharon
Tyler Nelson, Soph. G, Central Catholic
Quinton Perkins, Sr. G, Fitchburg
Luis Puello, Sr. G, Central Catholic
Colin Richey, Jr. G, Whitinsville Christian
Kamari Robinson, Jr. F, Springfield Central
Tyrell Springer, Sr. G, Springfield Central
Michael Thorpe, Sr. G, Newton North

ALL-DEFENSIVE
G – Luis Puello, Sr., Central Catholic
G – Anthony Hodges, Sr., Holy Name
F – Jake Layman, Sr., King Philip
F – Antonio Ferreira, Sr., Stoughton
C – George Merry, Sr., Danvers

COACH OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Scott Boyle, Lowell
Hugh Coleman, Brighton
Paul Connolly, Newton North
Paul DiGeronimo, Fitchburg
John Gallivan, Stoughton
Paul Neal, Lawrence
Brendan Smith, Boston Latin
Malcolm Smith, East Boston
Mike Vaughan, Mansfield
John Walsh, Danvers

NEWTON, Mass. -- Newton North picked up their seventh win of the season, as well as fifth conference victory, as they defeated Weymouth, 62-37.

The Tigers (7-0) defense proved to be the difference, as they forced the Wildcats (6-1) to convert numerous turnovers, which led to various fast-break baskets in all four quarters.

“I really thought we clamped down,” said Newton North head coach Paul Connolly. “As a team, they were averaging 70 points a game, [but] we held them to 37 points, so there was no question, it was our defense.”

Despite a quiet first few minutes, Newton’s senior Barry Santana, (10 points, 8 rebounds) helped the Tigers earn a small lead before Weymouth sophomore David Harrison sank a three-pointer, which cut North's lead to 12-10 at the end of the first quarter.

“Barry’s just constantly active. His motor is so high, he just keeps moving, and moving and moving,” Connolly said.

Newton North’s offense came alive during the opening minutes of the second frame when senior guard Michael Thorpe (15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds) set up the other senior Luke Westman for a three-pointer, which gave the Tigers a 19-11 lead and electrified the home crowd.

“We didn’t come out of the gate, and it got worse from there, and [Newton’s gymnasium is] a tough place to play,” said Weymouth head coach Jim Dolan. “We haven’t had a lot of success over the years here at Newton North, tonight was no different.”

Weymouth’s offense attempted to erase their opponent’s lead, but failed, as they entered halftime trailing 31-19 before Newton North’s lead balloon to 49-26 after three quarters.

“Once we got down, we just fell apart,” said Dolan. “We just didn’t live up to the hype of the game, I guess, but it’s a long season.”

The Tigers earned their largest lead of the game when Santana hit a layup to start the fourth quarter before Connolly replaced his starters with his bench, who held the Weymouth reserves to 11 points.

“We have really focused a lot on our defense, and we have in the past, and it’s just that this year, these kids have really bought into it, and I think defensively we’re exceptional right now,” said Connolly.

Connolly earns 200th victory: As the clock slowly began to wind down in the fourth quarter, the Newton North fans rose to their feet to salute Paul Connolly, who earned his 200th career victory with the Tigers on Tuesday evening.

“I’ve got a great group of guys that have played for me in the past, some really good players, some talented kids, [and] great assistant coaches,” said Connolly. “When I took over the program, Tom Donnellan was the freshman coach, [and] he’s now my assistant coach. Joe Siciliano was the JV coach, he’s now the JV coach.

"Rob Greenfield is the assistant JV coach, [and also] played for me. John McNamara is now the freshman coach, played for me, and Tom McKniff, who is the Godfather of Newton North basketball, has been here for 30 plus years, he’s out scouting tonight somewhere, so it feels really good, but again, I’ve had really, really good players.”

The head coach continued by saying, “This is a great school to coach in [with] great support, and I’d be remiss again if I didn’t mention Hank Smith, who I coached with at Emerson College, and also Dave Powell, who I coached with at St. Patrick’s High School and Norwood High School. [He] saw something in me as a coach, and gave me a chance, and I spent a lot of time as an assistant coach, so that was a nice victory for us tonight.”

The Massachusetts High School Football Coaches' Association unveiled its annual "Super 26" All-State Team today. Those honored will be presented this spring at Lantana's Restaurant, in Randolph.

Below are the selections. Italicized names indicate they were also a selection to ESPN Boston's MIAA All-State Team.

OFFENSE

Quarterback
Jonathan DiBiaso, Everett
Cam McLevedge, Weymouth
Matt Montalto, Dennis-Yarmouth

Receivers
Armani Reeves, Catholic Memorial
Don Webber, Duxbury

Offensive Line
Brendan Melanson, St. John’s (Shrewsbury)
Dan McCourt, Pembroke
Jameson McShea, BC High
Andrew VanderWilden, Concord-Carlisle
Chad Woodfine, Chicopee

Running Back
Sacoy Malone, Springfield Central
Quinton Perkins, Fitchburg
Melquawn Pickney, Springfield Putnam

DEFENSE

Defensive Line/Linebacker
Henry Bumpus, Concord-Carlisle
Nick DiChiara, BB&N
Tim Joy, Chelmsford
Vondell Langston, Everett
Max Randall, Duxbury
Zack Schafer, Mansfield
Nick Schlatz, Bridgewater-Raynham
Will Twyman, Lincoln-Sudbury
Camren Williams, Catholic Memorial

Secondary
Todd Collier, St. Mary’s (Lynn)
Jack Connolly, St. Sebastian’s
Joe Epps, Bourne
Charles Ruffin, King Philip

HINGHAM, Mass. -- No. 5 Marshfield won the Division 1 state hockey title last season and the Rams are looking to take the leap to the Super 8 level and compete with the very best in Massachusetts.

Hingham gave Marshfield a sample of what that might be like on Monday.

The No. 9 Harbormen posted three goals in the first 1:13 of the third period in a flurry of offensive power to take a 5-1 lead en route to a 6-2 victory over the previously unbeaten Rams in the nightcap of the Ed Taylor Holiday Tournament doubleheader at Pilgrim Ice Arena.

Dual senior captains Matt Hughes and James Gordon provided the third period barrage with a pair of goals apiece, with Hughes scoring bookend goals and Gordon sandwiching in two of his own in the four-goal barrage.

“Great effort by both [Hughes and Gordon] of them and Ryan Linehan, all three of our captains contributed and they scored five of the six goals,” Hingham head coach Tony Messina said. “The first two periods, we had equal pressure and were just fortunate enough to get some 2-on-1s and some breaks there. We only scored four goals in the first three games, so it’s not like we were putting the puck in the net so it was good to get a chance to do that.”

Despite controlling the puck for most of the first two periods of play, Hingham (2-2-0) found themselves clinging to a slim 2-1 lead after two periods.

At 10:15 of the first, Matt Brazel went to the backhand off a pass in front from Sam D’Antuono to finally beat Marshfield’s netminder Kevin Moran, who played extremely well in net with 15 saves in spite of the final score, to help Hingham break the scoreless tie.

Right out of the gates of the second period, Hughes filled the right slot and fired a mid-air pass to Linehan off the left post and Linehan slapped the puck out of the air for the quick 2-0 lead 33 seconds into the second stanza.

But Marshfield made things interesting, as Mike Carbone scored his third goal of the season in as many games at 9:35 of the second period off a scrum out in front of the crease. Brennan Quackenbush was credited with the assist and Carbone’s goal cut the Rams’ deficit in half heading into the decisive third period.

“I mean we have size, but we just weren’t playing the way we are supposed to,” Marshfield head coach Dan Connolly said. “We have to play better, not a little better, a lot better and honestly we were lucky to still be in it after two periods. Hingham just wanted it more.”

Hughes’ first tally was 20 seconds into the period right off the opening faceoff on a quick tip-in out in front of the crease. Gordon immediately followed with his two tallies at 13:59 and 13:47 of the third on back-to-back goals, and the rout was sealed.

The Harbormen outshot the Rams 11-1 in the first 7:20 of the third and were on cruise control the rest of the way with a final 21-15 shot advantage.

Even though the season has barely kicked off, Connolly was hoping this was a litmus test of sorts for his squad to take the next step on the ladder and compete for a Super 8 title as Hingham has been to the big dance nine out of the last 10 seasons.

“We are not even close to being ready to compete at this level and the gap there is so big,” Connolly said. “Unless our kids change things around and start listening to what we need to do, we are in some trouble.”

NO. 18 WEYMOUTH SKATES PAST DUXBURY
In the opener, Tom Goodwin netted the game-winner with 2:08 remaining in regulation as Weymouth edged Duxbury 2-1 in the opener of the Taylor Holiday Tournament at Pilgrim Arena.

Weymouth (1-1-2) picked up their first win on the young season and advance to the tourney finals to face the host Hingham on Thursday night at 8 p.m. Duxbury will face Marshfield in the consolation tilt at 6 p.m.

“I thought we battled pretty good, got some pucks to the net, but we have a lot of new guys here and lost some size due to graduation, but I think we will get better and better as the year goes along," Green Dragons head coach John Blake said. “We have to keep in the back of our minds that we are young, we play a very tough nonleague schedule, but we do that to find out where we are at and what we need to work on.”

After a scoreless first period, Duxbury (1-3-1) took the lead at 6:48 of the second as Cam Daley put the puck in the back of the net but the lead vanished as Joe Flanagan tied it up only 1:29 later as the Duxbury defense couldn’t clear the zone.

NHL PEDIGREE
Kevin Stevens, former Bruin and 15-year veteran of the NHL also with the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and Philadelphia Flyers, was in attendance to watch his son, freshman Luke Stevens, compete for ice time with the Duxbury Dragons.

Stevens, who played his high school hockey at Silver Lake and is now a pro scout in the New England area for the Penguins, likes the way Coach Blake handles the rotations on the ice and knows it will only take time for his son to adjust.

“I like how [Blake] works the young kids in and it seems like he does a really good job but this is only my first year with the Duxbury program,” said the four-time NHL All-Star and two-time Stanley Cup Champion. “The biggest thing with any of these programs is finding the balance to mix in the younger kids with the older kids and my kid is only 14 years old competing with 17-year olds, and [Luke]’s played at a high level all his life, but this year will be different.”

WEYMOUTH, Mass. -- It was typical of an early season game: missed opportunities, room for improvement, et al.

As No. 18 Weymouth and Natick got the Bay State Conference season underway with a 4-4 tie at Connell Rink, like most ties, there were plenty of things to make either side see the glass half full or empty.

For the Wildcats, coming off a Super 8 season, there's the matter of giving up the game-tying goal inside of a minute remaining in play. Red & Blue senior captain Andrew Newis buried a one-timer off of Mike Pennett's feed to knot the score with 48 seconds to play.

In Natick's perspective, there are the three power-play goals scored that would make any coach happy. But there were also three goals surrendered on turnovers committed either in the neutral zone or in the defensive end, including Sean Murphy's short-handed goal that gave the Wildcats a 3-2 lead in the second.

It all went to show that there was a long road ahead for both sides.

"We learn from it because you saw that you make a couple of bad decisions and the puck ends up in the back of the net," Weymouth head coach Matt Cataldo said.

GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS
For a young Weymouth squad, which lost (and not limited to) its top offensive line, top defensive pairing and starting goaltender, the early season will be a particular test.

The Wildcats received solid contributions from some of their key returnees, including Joe Nardone (1 A) and Murphy (1 G, 1 A), along with a player in Shawn Jennette, who they are looking to fill a bigger role this season. Jennette scored two goals within six seconds of the second period to give Weymouth a 2-1 lead.

"It's great having people back from last year's team, but it's more important for those guys to realize that we're a different team," Cataldo said. "They can't be thinking that just because they were a part of that team last year that we're going to get those same results.

"Those guys know what it takes to get to that level, they know the level of competition that we're going to be playing, but they've got to be the leaders on the ice. They have to step it up, everybody does."

MAKING STRIDES
Natick head coach Karl Infanger talked postgame about how he's seen his team steadily improve during the last couple of seasons and now holds higher expectations for his group.

"I think we can surprise some people," Infanger said. "I like to think that we can challenge for the Herget title. We've been building for a couple years now and I think when we play a program like Weymouth, and what with Matt Cataldo's done, and show we can skate with them stride for stride, that's something to build on."

Infanger was pleased with the work of his top line of Tim Dunn (1 G, 2 A) Matt Kustra (2 A) and Newis (1 G).

He was also encouraged with the work of backup goaltender Jeff Rausch, who made 32 saves while making the start in place of starter Derek Kwok, who was sidelined with a high ankle injury.

Perhaps the most impressive player on the ice for either side was Natick defenseman Denis Nagle, who set up two of the Red & Blue tallies. The senior blue-liner is a smooth skater, who likes to jump up into the play and isn't afraid to push the pace of play.

OFFENSE
QB – Jonathan DiBiaso, Sr., Everett
Statistically the state’s best all-time quarterback, the ESPN Boston Mr. Football recipient finishes his storied career in Everett as the state’s all-time leader in touchdown passes (103) and passing yards (7,052). This season he broke his own state single-season record for TD passes (44), and threw for over 2,800 yards. In the last two seasons alone, both perfect Super Bowl-winning campaigns, he threw for 87 touchdown passes to better the previous state all-time mark of 85. DiBiaso is undecided on college plans.

QB – Matt O’Keefe, Sr., Duxbury
In his first season as the full-time starter under center, the Johns Hopkins lacrosse commit was a finalist for ESPN Boston’s Mr. Football award. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder totaled nearly 3,000 yards from scrimmage, throwing for 2,321 yards, rushing for another 670, and totaling 39 scores. O’Keefe, a defender for the defending Division 1 state champion Dragons, is currently ranked as the No. 32 overall lacrosse player in the Class of 2012 by ESPNU.

QB – Matt Montalto, Sr., Dennis-Yarmouth
The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder led the Dolphins to their best season in school history, finishing a perfect 13-0 campaign by winning the Division 2A Super Bowl title – their first championship of any kind in the Super Bowl era. For the season he completed 61 percent of his passes for 2,065 yards and 25 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. He also carried 134 times for 1,219 yards and 16 more scores. Montalto is fielding various college interest, including, New Hampshire, Albany, Colgate, Brown, Sacred Heart and Bentley.

QB – Michael Walsh, Sr., Swampscott
The 6-foot-2, 205-pounder was a force on both sides of the ball for the 9-2 Big Blue, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes for 2,129 yards and 25 touchdowns to go along with 930 rushing yards and 13 more scores. Defensively, he totaled 47 tackles from the free safety position, forcing three fumbles and making two interceptions. Walsh will continue his career next fall at Brown as a safety.

RB – Melquawn Pinkney, Sr., Springfield Putnam
The 5-foot-9, 170-pound Mr. Football finalist ended his career with the Beavers in record-breaking fashion. With 341 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 48-6 win over Commerce for the Division 2 Super Bowl title, Pinkney broek Cedric Washington’s 15-year-old state all-time record for single-season yardage (2,889), and set the new state single-season mark for rushing touchdowns (43). Earlier in the season, Pinkney set a Western Mass single-game record with 421 rushing yards in a win over Agawam. For the season, he averaged 8.4 yards a carry. Pinkney is currently undecided on college plans.

RB – Sacoy Malone, Sr., Springfield Central
Both Malone and his cross-town foil Pinkney eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark on the season, as the Eagles returned to the Western Mass. Division 1 Super Bowl for the second straight year. On the season, Malone had 257 carries for 2,001 yards and 22 touchdowns; since the start of the 2010 season, he’s accumulated over 3,200 yards and 35 touchdowns. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound Malone is currently fielding interest from several Division 1 FCS schools.

RB – George Craan, Sr., Concord-Carlisle
Craan, the reigning Dual County League MVP, was the catalyst for the Patriots’ historic Super Bowl-winning season. He followed up a 1,900-yard junior season with just as explosive numbers in 2011, carrying 220 times for 1,761 yards and 24 touchdowns, as the Patriots went 13-0. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Craan is currently undecided on college plans.

RB – Charles Ruffin, Sr., King Philip
The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder is the second Warrior in four seasons to capture Hockomock League Offensive Player of the Year honors. On the season he amassed over 1,300 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, and led the Warriors to their first postseason berth of the Super Bowl era. Ruffin, who also stars in lacrosse and track and field, is currently fielding interest from several Division 1 schools.

TE – Mark Riley, Sr., Needham
One of several All-Staters previously known most for their lacrosse exploits, the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder was a force to be reckoned with for the 9-4 Rockets. Utilized as both a receiver and tight end, Riley caught 72 balls for 1,266 yards and a school record 15 touchdowns. He is currently undecided on college plans, but fielding Division 1 interest in lacrosse.

TE – Jameson McShea, Sr., BC High
The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Temple commit didn’t put up eye-opening numbers in the passing game, but his support in the running game was without peer as he helped paved the way for both Preston Cooper and Deontae Ramey-Doe. As a defensive end, he recorded 68 tackles (12 for loss) and was named the Catholic Conference’s Lineman of the Year.

WR – Khary Bailey-Smith, Sr., Weymouth
One of the state’s best deep-ball threats, the 6-foot-3, 185-pounder tallied 936 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns for the 9-2 Wildcats this fall. Since the start of his junior season, Bailey-Smith has caught over 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. He is also a state champion in track and field, having cleared 6-foot-10 in the high jump. Bailey-Smith is fielding interest from Division 1 schools.

WR – Gordon McLeod, Sr., BC High
One of the most versatile threats on the Eagles’ Division 1 Super Bowl champion squad, McLeod was one of the leading receivers in Eastern Mass., with 755 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns as they captured their second title in four seasons.


WR – Don Webber, Sr., Duxbury
Considered one of the state’s best route-runners, the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder was the 13-0 Dragons’ most dangerous weapon in space. Webber led the team with 52 receptions for 776 yards and 11 touchdowns, as the Dragons won a second consecutive Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium and extended the state’s longest winning streak to 26 games. Webber is leaning towards the Ivy League for college plans.

WR – Malcolm Brown, Sr., Pope John XXIII
Statistically, the 6-foot-1 Brown graduates from the Everett campus as one of the state’s most decorated receivers of all-time. This fall he caught 71 passes to set school records of 1,306 yards and 20 touchdowns, both tops in the state. He also racked up 918 return yards and three touchdowns, ran for 328 yards, and threw for another 267. Defensively, he recorded 65 tackles (10 for loss) and three interceptions, including a pick-six. For his career, he has 192 receptions for 3,447 yards and 44 touchdowns, and 56 total scores. Brown currently has interest from schools in the Northeast-10 and MEAC conferences.

OL – Andrew VanderWilden, Sr., Concord-Carlisle
At 6-foot and 245 pounds, VanderWilden was arguably one of the most efficient pound-for-pound centers in the state. He led a Patriots rushing attack that racked up 53 touchdowns and nearly 3,000 yards the ground, part of one of the state’s highest scoring averages (35.4). VanderWilden, a two-time Dual County League Lineman of the Year, will continue his career at Brown next fall.

OL – Keith Sullivan, Sr., Oliver Ames
The 6-foot-9, 300-pounder was arguably the most crucial two-way player for the Tigers’ historic run, winning their first Hockomock title since 1964 and qualifying for their first championship game of the Super Bowl era. Sullivan is currently undecided on college plans, but fielding Division 1 interest.


OL – John Montelus, Jr., Everett
DiBiaso’s blind side is quickly rising as one of New England’s top Class of 2013 prospects. The last two seasons the 6-foot-4, 290-pounder has allowed DiBiaso to throw 87 touchdown passes and keep his jersey clean. Montelus received four offers before his 16th birthday this fall, and counts UConn, Syracuse, NC State, Virginia and Boston College.

OL – Gordon Acha, Sr., Duxbury
Acha, the Dragons’ left tackle, was named ESPN Boston’s inaugural Lineman of the Year this week after helping pave the way to a second straight 13-0 season. The Dragons averaged 302 yards of offense and had 36 touchdown passes. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Acha is currently fielding interest from Division 1 schools, including Boston College and Maryland.

OL – Rob Kosharek, Jr., Duxbury
Together with Acha, the 6-foot-6, 250-pound Kosharek created one of the state’s best tandems on the left side of the 13-0 Dragons’ line. Behind Kosharek at left guard, the Dragons won their second straight Division 2 Super Bowl title and rang their winning streak up to a state-best 26 games.


ATH – Geeavontie Griffith, Sr., Boston Cathedral
The 12-1 Panthers experienced one of the state’s most dramatic turnarounds under first-year head coach Duane Sigsbury, and leading the charges was Griffith. The 5-foot-7, 175-pound Randolph native carried 152 times for 2,244 yards and 29 touchdowns, as the Panthers advanced to the Division 4A Super Bowl. He is currently undecided on college plans.

ATH – Armani Reeves, Sr., Catholic Memorial
Don’t let the Mr. Football finalist’s limited touches fool you. Reeves, a Penn State commit and the state’s No. 1 overall prospect, was electric practically every time he touched the ball. He ran for 1,001 yards on just 46 touches, caught another 205, and returned a punt for a touchdown to total 15 scores for the 7-2 Knights. That averages out to almost a touchdown every three touches.

K – Jules Murphy, Sr., Xaverian
Murphy has been known to regularly hit from 40 yards and further, and while he didn’t have many opportunities this season, he was a near-perfect 27-of-28 on extra points. Murphy is undecided on college plans.


DEFENSE
DL – Ralph Jonathas, Sr., Everett
The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder was a mainstay of the Crimson Tide's back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams and a defense that allowed just over 12 points per game this season. Jonathas has received interest from multiple Division 1 programs, but is undecided on college plans.


DL – Brendan Battles, Sr., Nauset
At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, the UConn commit was one of the most feared defensive presences in the state. But the bruising lineman also did double time, serving as the play-caller in Nauset's single wing offense, paving the way as the lead blocker out of the backfield. Battles also won the Division 1 and All-State wrestling crowns in the 215-pound divsion, advancing to the New England finals.

DL – Maurice Hurst Jr., Jr., Xaverian
The 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive tackle was a physical presence in the middle of the Hawks defense. Hurst finished the season with 61 tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Hurst also showed off his athleticism in one of the more improbable performances of the season, rushing for over 200 yards in the Hawks' win over St. John's of Shrewsbury, including an awe-inspiring 75-yard touchdown run.

DL – Henry Bumpus, Sr., Concord-Carlisle
The 6-foot-6, 218-pound defensive end was one of the more imposing physical presences in the state, as well as an important part of C-C's rushing attack at tight end. The senior captain helped to guide the Patriots to a Division 3 Super Bowl championship. A feared rusher off the edge, Bumpus finished with 9.5 sacks and 66 tackles. He also nabbed four interceptions on the season. Bumpus will attend Brown University next year.

LB – Tim Joy, Sr., Chelmsford
The Boston College-bound 'backer was the heart and soul of the Lions defense, leading the team with 155 tackles, including eight for a loss and three sacks. The 6-foot-2, 215-pounder also had an interception in addition to three passes defensed. Joy was also a steady contributor to Chelmsford's offense, as a punishing lead blocker at full back in front of running back Eddie Sheridan.

LB – Luke Catarius, Jr., BC High
The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder lead the Eagles in tackles, despite playing 10 regular season games with 129 tackles, including 24 tackles for loss. Catarius was also a mainstay of BC High's offense, providing lead blocks at fullback in front of Preston Cooper and Deontae Ramey-Doe for the Division 1 Super Bowl champions.

LB – Vondell Langston, Sr., Everett
The Crimson Tide senior captain was an integral part of Everett's offensive and defensive units in each of their back-to-back Super Bowl championship seasons. As a linebacker, Langston was tough against the ran and a threat to drop back in coverage, coming away with three interceptions on the season. Langston tallied 15 touchdowns on the season at running back. He is undecided on his college choice.

LB – Cam Williams, Sr., Catholic Memorial
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker was named one of 50 national finalists for the high school Butkus Award, honoring the nation's top linebacker. The Penn State commit totaled 119 tackles (81 solo), including 18 tackles for loss. Wiliams was also effective in pass defense with an interception and seven passes defensed.

LB – Nick Schlatz, Sr., Bridgewater-Raynham
The Trojans' senior captain was part of a dynamic 1-2 punch at running back along with Brandon Morin, totaling nine touchdowns. Schlatz was the fulcrum of Bridgewater-Raynham's defense, which allowed just under 14 points per game this season.


LB – Dan Flink, Sr., Auburn
Flink was the heart of the Rockets' defense, which surrendered just over 10 points per game this season. He totaled 141 tackles, including 27 tackles for loss, along with seven forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and eight sacks. Flink played running back with the same mentality he brought to his play at linebacker with 1,393 yards and 27 touchdowns in his senior season. The three-year starter was part of four Super Bowl championship teams at Auburn and is looking to study at Mass Maritime Academy next year.

DB – James Burke, Sr., Duxbury
The senior captain was a stalwart in the Dragons' defense in their back-to-back Super Bowl titles. The 6-foot, 165-pounder formed a vicious safety duo along with Reilly Naton and led the secondary with 76 total tackles (50 solo) and had three interceptions with nine passes defensed. Also a standout on Duxbury's state-title winning lacrosse team, Burke has signed a letter of intent to play lacrosse at Penn State.

DB – Quinton Perkins, Sr., Fitchburg
The 6-foot, 170-pound wideout and safety was one of the most dynamic talents in the state, nevermind Central Mass. Perkins, who holds offers from UConn and UMass-Amherst, tallied 35 tackles and two interceptions on defense. He racked up 20 total touchdowns with 10 rushing, nine passing and a kickoff return. Perkins also racked up over 1,300 all-purpose offensive yards. He also racked up 200 all-purpose offensive yards and three touchdowns in the Red Raiders' playoff loss to Leominster.

DB – Casey DeAndrade, Sr., East Bridgewater
The University of New Hampshire commit was one of the most electrifying offensive talents in the state this year, but also played lock-down corner for the Vikings. DeAndrade tallied one interception in his senior season to push his career total to 11, a testament to opponents' weariness in throwing in his direction. The multi-talented athlete tallied 22 touchdowns with nearly 1,400 all-purpose offensive yards.

DB – Obi Melifonwu, Sr., Grafton
The UConn commit was a big-play threat on both sides of the football for Grafton, leading the Indians with three interceptions. The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder also ran for nearly 1,400 yards in a shortened season along with 17 touchdowns.


RET – Chucky Ortiz, Sr. Woburn
Ortiz was a jack of all trades while taking MVP honors of the Middlesex League Large division. In racking up 24 touchdowns, Ortiz tallied two pick-sixes, and a pair punt returns and kick returns for scores. Ortiz had six interceptions on defense while finishing a shade under 1,200 rushing yards. He also handled place kicking duties for the Tanners, connecting on 15 PATs and one field goal.

Best of the Rest
A.J. Baker, Sr. WR, Swampscott
Dan Barone, Sr. QB, Holliston
Vincent Burton, Sr. RB, Blue Hills
Kenny Calaj, Jr. WR, Everett
Andrew Coke, Sr. RB, Andover
Preston Cooper, Sr. RB, BC High
A.J. Doyle, Sr. QB, Catholic Memorial
Brian Dunlap, Fr. WR, Natick
Aaron Dyke, Jr. OL, Auburn
Andrew Ellis, Jr. LB, Barnstable
Joe Epps, Sr. RB, Bourne
Theo France, Sr. RB, Barnstable
Brett Harrington, Sr. DL, Chelmsford
Jack Harris, Sr. TE, Lincoln-Sudbury
Greg Heineman, Sr. QB, Minnechaug
Damion Johnson, Sr. WR, Dennis-Yarmouth
Jordan Keli'inui, Sr. RB, Mashpee
Thomas Kleyn, Sr. LB, Concord-Carlisle
Zack Hume, Jr. LB, Nashoba
Nick LaSpada, Sr. QB, Billerica
Cam McLevedge, Sr. QB, Weymouth
Reilly Naton, Sr. S, Duxbury
T.J. Norris, Sr. RB, Longmeadow
Mike Prendeville, Sr. OG, BC High
Will Quigley, Sr. RB, Marblehead
Deontae Ramey-Doe, Sr. RB, BC High
Max Randall, Sr. LB, Duxbury
Zack Schafer, Sr. LB, Mansfield
Eddie Sheridan, Sr. RB, Chelmsford
Jarod Taylor, Jr. RB, Mashpee
Shawn Whouley, Sr. WR, Weymouth

HOW THE CONTENDERS FARED

George Craan, Sr. RB, Concord-Carlisle - Carried 28 times for 164 yards and two scores in the Patriots' 27-0 shutout of Lincoln-Sudbury.
Casey DeAndrade, Sr. RB, East Bridgewater - Ran for 116 yards on 19 carries, and returning a kickoff 71 yards to the house, in a 16-6 loss to Mashpee.
Jonathan DiBiaso, Sr. QB, Everett - Threw for 232 yards and four touchdowns, and added 97 rushing yards and a fifth score, in the Crimson Tide's 42-20 win over Malden that clinched their 17th straight Greater Boston League title. DiBiaso is now at 97 career touchdown passes.
A.J. Doyle, Sr. QB, Catholic Memorial - In the No. 5 Knights' win over Xaverian, threw for 167 yards and three scores and added 72 rushing yards and a fourth score.
Matt Montalto, Sr. QB, Dennis-Yarmouth - Completed 14 of 15 passes for 170 yards and 3 TD, and added 124 rushing yards and two more scores on just three carries, in a 42-7 win over Sandwich.
Sacoy Malone, Sr. RB, Springfield Central - Carried 14 times for 94 yards in a 34-25 win over Holyoke, the first time since the Eagles' season-opening loss to Putnam that he's been held to under 100 yards.
T.J. Norris, Sr. RB, Longmeadow - Spraing his ankle in the opening five minutes of an 18-6 win over Minnechaug. Reports have surfaced that Norris, who has nearly 1,400 rushing yards on the season, sprained it somewhat significantly.
Matt O'Keefe, Sr. QB, Duxbury - In the Dragons' 34-7 league-clinching win over Hingham, completed 14 of 25 passes for 248 yards and four scores, and also added 95 rushing yards and a fifth score.
Melquawn Pinkney, Sr. RB, Putnam - Carried 33 times for 168 yards and two scores in the Beavers' 22-12 win over South Hadley.
Armani Reeves, Sr. RB/WR, Catholic Memorial - Opened up the floodgates in the first quarter of a 33-11 win over Xaverian, with a 92-yard touchdown scamper, before Doyle took over.
Michael Walsh, Sr. QB, Swampscott - In the Big Blue's 33-15 win over Gloucester, he was 13 of 22 passing for 251 yards and four touchdowns, and carried nine times for 63 yards. On the season, the Brown commit has over 2,900 yards of offense.

ON THE RISE

Dan Barone, Sr. QB, Holliston - In the Panthers' 48-22 win over Norton, completed a perfect 7 of 7 passes for 227 yards and three scores, and added two rushing scores.
Andrew Coke, Sr. RB, Andover - Totaled 283 yards of offense and four rushing touchdowns in a 26-21 win over Lowell.
Mike Decina, Sr. QB, Hopkinton - Threw for 300 yards and six touchdowns in the Hillers' 42-13 beatdown of Westwood.
Theo France, Sr. RB, Barnstable - Last week, it was carving up the B-R defense on the ground. This week, he had 103 receiving yards and three touchdowns, in a 20-10 win over Plymouth North.
Jordan Keli'inui, Sr. RB, Mashpee - Carried 18 times for 98 yards in the Falcons' 16-6 win over East Bridgewater.
Cam McLevedge, Sr. QB, Weymouth - Threw for four touchdowns in a 50-0 shutout of Framingham, bringing his season touchdown pass total to a Division 1-best 34.
Chucky Ortiz, Sr. RB, Woburn - Did it all in the Tanners' 24-7 win over Lexington, running for two scores, throwing for another, and kicking a field goal.
Matt Owens, Sr. QB, Boston Cathedral - Threw for 270 yards and four touchdowns in the Panthers' win over Trinity Catholic that clinched the Catholic Central Small.
Quinton Perkins, Sr. RB, Fitchburg - Ran for four touchdowns in the Red Raiders' 26-15 win over Holy Name.
Karl Sery, Sr. RB, Hudson - The Bryant commit carried 34 times for 239 yards and two scores in the Hawks' 25-14 win over Clinton.

IN RAIDER NATION, FUTURE IS NOW
The knock on Barnstable the last few years has never been that they've been short on talent, but rather they always seemed a year away.

One five-yard touchdown scamper in overtime, from a floppy-haired sophomore named Hayden Murphy, has suddenly changed everything about that perception. Since junior Nick Peabody took over for the injured D.J. Crook at quarterback, the Red Raiders are 3-1, and a point-after field goal in overtime from being 4-0, led by their youth movement on defense and some above-average speed at the skill positions.

All of it came to a head on Friday night in Hyannis, when the Raiders (5-4, 3-0) emerged with a 26-20 overtime win over previous No. 3 Bridgewater-Raynham to win the Old Colony League outright and punch their first ticket to the playoffs since 2002.

"I just wanted it so bad for the kids," first-year head coach Chris Whidden said following the game. "They've done so much, so much off the field as a team, and they worked so hard in the offseason, I just felt like they deserved it so much."

The Raiders will face Dual County Large champion Lincoln-Sudbury in a Tuesday night playoff following their Thanksgiving showdown with archrival Falmouth. By all accounts, this figures to go a lot more swimmingly than the Raiders' last appearance, a 42-6 stomping by a St. John's Prep squad that saw two kids go to the NFL, another get drafted 17th overall by the Padres, and another go on to play hockey at Boston University.

This time around, the Raiders have speed in all sorts of places, and smart coach in the young Whidden. Witness the B-R game, in which he made a few tweaks on his defensive line to free up hawking linebackers Andrew Ellis, Bryan Hardy and Ryan Litchman, allowing them to get to the sidelines quicker and contain those outside power sweeps that has been the calling card of the Trojans for so many years.

Offensively, speedsters like Murphy have their best days ahead of them. But just as integral to the turnaround has been the emergence of running back Theo France. We've long mused that, given more carries, the senior will prove his worth. Off the field, France is reportedly a workout warrior; and Friday night, it showed, racking up nearly 160 yards on the ground to keep the Trojans honest.

HANGIN' WITH MR. COOPER
You might have thought the loss of Preston Cooper would be catastrophic for BC High.

As tight end Jameson McShea put it, "He was our offense."

However, the Eagles have gotten along just fine without Cooper because of Deontae Ramey-Doe's hard-nosed running out of the backfield in the last two weeks. The rangy senior running back put in a huge 206-yard, two-touchdown performance against No. 13 Xaverian at a windswept Viola Stadium on Friday night, powering the Eagles to an important Catholic Conference win.

And, while Ramey-Doe admits he could never hope to replace Cooper, he's understanding his new role as a feature back within the Eagles' offense.

"Coach [Jon Bartlett] has told me that he doesn't expect me to be Preston," Ramey-Doe said after Friday's victory. "I just have to run the way that I know that I can run."

What that means is the Eagles have a versatile runner who's tough enough to run in between the tackles, but also fast enough to run on sweeps to outside behind BC High's hulking line, as they exhibited on Friday night.

"We just want him to run hard," Bartlett said, "and he did that.”

Of course, Ramey-Doe didn't do it alone. He had his biggest fan on the sideline for Friday's game, none other than Cooper, himself. After scoring his first touchdown of the game, Ramey-Doe ran over to Cooper with a high five, saying, "That one's for you."

LIONS HOLD STRONG
With Lowell quarterback R.J. Noel working his magic again and wreaking havoc with his arm and his feet, Chelmsford was playing for their lives in the fourth quarter of Saturday night's game at Cawley Stadium. The Red Raiders came back to tie the Lions, 14-14, and for all intents and purposes had gained momentum. Not only had Chelmsford lost the lead, they also lost BC-bound linebacker Tim Joy on the game-tying PAT by Lowell. A bad night had just gotten worse.

Then, the Lions offense took over behind running back Eddie Sheridan (168 yards, 2 TDs).

Chelmsford marched down the field on two straight series and the Lions' defense tightened, including Lou Ferrer's huge fourth-down stop. So the Lions escaped and inched closer to a Merrimack Valley Large title.

"My favorite part of the game is getting that one yard," Sheridan said. "I love it."

BAY STATE CAREY WIDE OPEN
Several weeks ago, Needham was in the driver's seat to claim the Bay State's large division title. A few key injuries later and a last-second win by Framingham (22-21) last week and the Carey is ripe for the picking.

Flyers quarterback Greg Finley connected with Mike Stearns on a 4-yard touchdown pass with one second remaining to lift Framingham to an improbable comeback win that's thrown the league race into limbo.

Framingham, Needham and Weymouth now all stand at 6-2 in league play. Needham holds an advantage over Weymouth in their head to head record, but with the loss to Framingham, the Flyers can sneak by with a win over the Wildcats in Framingham Friday night. Meanwhile, Needham hosts Newton North on Friday.

FAMILIAR FOES
To think of the last time a team besides Natick or Walpole represented the Bay State Conference's Herget division in the playoffs, you have to go all the way back to 2002, when a Kyle Beatrice-led Swampscott squad torched division champ Norwood 51-22 in Division 3. That's a decade-long run that, following Friday night's showdown in Walpole, is about to get longer.

The Hockomock League has Mansfield-North Attleborough. The Dual County League has Acton-Boxboro versus Lincoln-Sudbury. In the Bay State, the premier matchup year in and year out is Natick-Walpole, and this year's installment should be no different.

From Reshaude Goodwin to Billy Flutie to Ryan Izzo and Scott McCummings, the rivalry has always featured premiere Division 1 talent going at it. This year's installment will be more of a youth movement, with a strong junior class leading Walpole's stout defense that hasn't allowed a point since its lone loss of the season, to Needham in Week 7.

Natick, also 8-1, battles Walpole's youth with uber-youth. Their starting quarterback, sophomore Troy Flutie (yes, Darren's kid), is on track for 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing. Their leading receiver, freshman Brian Dunlap, is closing in on 1,000 receiving yards and is one of the state's leaders in touchdown receptions (12). Running back Nick Lee, a junior, is 33 yards short of 1,000.

SOUTH SHORE SHOWDOWN
Of all of the league championships up for grabs on Friday night, one of the most underrated has got to be the one going down in Mashpee, where the Falcons will host No. 19 East Bridgewater in a battle of unbeatens, for the South Shore League's playoff berth.

By now, East Bridgewater's superstar, UNH-bound running back Casey DeAndrade, is a household name for his breathtaking speed. Some have even gone as far as to call him one of the best to come through the league in the last two decades. But flying under the radar has been Mashpee senior running back Jordan Keli'inui.

A patient runner with a long frame, live hips, and a compact yet powerful frame at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, he's paved his way to over 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, one of the leading scorers in Division 4. (Check out his highlights here)

This could be a high-scoring affair -- even by the down-tempo South Shore League standards.

HOW THE CONTENDERS FARED

George Craan, Sr. RB, Concord-Carlisle - The Patriots scored on their first three plays from scrimmage in a 38-21 defeat of Weston, taking a 22-0 lead after five minutes and going up 38-0 at the half. Once again, short night of work for Craan, who scored his 15th rushing touchdown of the season.
Jonathan DiBiaso, Sr. QB, Everett - Threw for six touchdown passes in a 41-14 rout of Medford and broke the state all-time record (85) in the process, completing 9 of 12 passes for 209 yards. He now has 88 career touchdown passes, and will likely have five more games to eclipse the century mark.
Nick LaSpada, Sr. QB, Billerica - In the Indians' 40-30 barnburner over Lowell, was 15 of 28 passing for 233 yards and a touchdown, and also ran for 112 yards and another score.
Sacoy Malone, Sr. RB, Springfield Central - Ran for 144 yards and a score in the Golden Eagles' 41-12 win over Agawam.
Matt Montalto, Sr. QB, Dennis-Yarmouth - Accounted for three scores in the Dolphins' 28-0 shutout of Plymouth South, completing 9 of 15 passes for 146 yards and a score, and rushing for 81 yards and two more scores.
T.J. Norris, Sr. RB, Longmeadow - Carried the ball 15 times for 140 yards and four scores in the Lancers' 42-7 rout of Westfield.
Matt O'Keefe, Sr. QB, Duxbury - In the Green Dragons' 34-7 win over Silver Lake, the Johns Hopkins lacrosse commit was 16 of 25 passing for 210 yards and three touchdowns.
Melquawn Pinkney, Sr. RB, Putnam - In the Beavers' 48-0 shutout of Amherst, ran for 224 yards and four scores, as they outgained the Hurricanes 500-51 in yards of offense.
Armani Reeves, Sr. RB/WR, Catholic Memorial - In the Knights' 26-7 win over St. John's Prep, the Penn State commit amassed 238 all-purpose yards. He ran for 98 yards and a score on eight carries, returned a punt 72 yards to the house, and hauled in a 34-yard catch.
Nick Schlatz, Sr. RB, Bridgewater-Raynham - Ran for 132 yards and a touchdown, part of 346 total yards on the ground by the Trojans, in a 30-6 win over Dartmouth.
Cody Titus, Sr. RB, St. Bernard's - Eclipsed the 300-yard mark for the second time this season, on 29 carries, in a 40-32 loss to Narragansett.
Brandon Walsh, Sr. QB, North Andover - Easy night for Walsh in the Knights' 34-6 win over Revere, completing all three of his pass attempts for 28 yards and running in two touchdowns.
Michael Walsh, Sr. QB, Swampscott - In the Big Blue's 47-14 thrashing of Danvers, was 12 of 20 passing for 245 yards and four touchdowns. He also carried 10 times for 68 yards and two more scores, and from his safety spot on defense recorded three tackles and an interception.

ON THE RISE

Chris Bettano, Sr. RB, Tewksbury - Carried 32 times for 158 yards and two scores, and ran in the winning two-point conversion in overtime, in a 26-24 thriller over Methuen.
Shane Blass, Sr. RB, Walpole - Racked up 207 yards rushing and two scores on just nine carries, in a 34-0 blanking of Newton North.
Ozzy Colarusso, Jr. WR, Weymouth - Hauled in three touchdown passes and ran in a fourth score, in a 47-7 win over Braintree.
Jamison Craft, Sr. RB, Gardner - Carried 19 times for 191 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-0 shutout of Lunenburg.
Brian Dunlap, Fr. WR, Natick - We know Dunlap, who ranks second in the state in touchdown receptions (11), can catch. In the 49-24 win over Needham, he hauled in two catches for 51 yards, but he also carried 12 times for 69 yards and three scores to pace the REd and Blue.
Dan Flink, Sr. RB, Auburn - The bulldozer carried 14 times for 75 yards and five touchdowns -- all in the first half -- in the Rockets' 42-14 rout of Grafton.
Troy Flutie, Soph. QB, Natick - In the Red and Blue's 49-24 win over Needham, completed 11 of 14 passes for 181 yards and two scores; he also ran for 124 yards and two more scores on 23 carries.
Jake Frechette, Sr. RB, Holliston - The four-year starter became the Panthers' all-time leading rusher following Friday's 35-13 rout of Millis/Hopedale, carrying 19 times for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Greg Heineman, Sr. QB, Minnechaug - In the Falcons' 35-12 win over Holyoke, he completed 17 of 22 passes (to eight different receivers) for 143 yards and three total touchdowns.
Maurice Hurst Jr., Jr. FB/DT, Xaverian - He's becoming a household name for his work on the defensive side of the ball. But it was his work carrying the ball in Saturday's 27-9 win over St. John's of Shrewsbury that had everyone talking, with 126 yards and two scores on nine carries -- including a 75-yard scamper.
Cam McLevedge, Sr. QB, Weymouth - Threw five touchdown passes in a 47-7 rout of Braintree, bringing his season total to a state-best 30.
Marcus Odiah, Jr. RB, Burlington - Carried 12 times for 196 yards and three touchdowns, in a 44-12 rout of Watertown.
Quron Wright, Jr. RB, Holy Name - The pint-sized scatback ran for a career-high 226 yards in a 33-14 win over Algonquin.

We have a new number one team in our MIAA boys' soccer Top 20 poll this week.

The Lincoln-Sudbury Warriors take the top spot after previous number one Ludlow lost for just the second time this season. The Algonquin Tomahawks remain in at No. 2, while Needham and Weymouth flip flop spots after the Rockets defeated the Wildcats, 1-0, last week. The Bay State Conference is now Needham’s to win after dropped another game 1-0 to Brookline.

Here's a breakdown of the week that was and the week to come from resident soccer guru James Walsh:

ON THE BUBBLE
Lowell (11-2-4) - Scored three second half goals to defeat Central Catholic 3-2.
Wellesley (11-5-0) - You don’t want to play this team in the tournament.
Newton South (8-6-3) - The Lions have won six in a row, and only concede two goals over that stretch. Coach John Conte has his team play well at the most important time of the year.
BC High (8-6-3) - An away loss to Xaverian and a well-earned tie with No. 15 Hingham.
Westford Academy (8-5-2) - A tough 3-1 loss to Lincoln-Sudbury and will be without starting keeper Joe Brunelle after he was shown a straight red during the match.
Brighton (13-0-1) - The Benglas are leading the Boston City League.
Chelsea (8-1-0) - Defeated North Shore 6-0 in their only match last week.
Somerville (11-1-4) - Haven’t loss since opening day.

TOP OF THE TABLE
Lincoln-Sudbury’s win over Westford Academy on Wednesday sealed the Dual County League championship for the Warriors. Westford proved a tough test for L-S, but a Chris Kafina goal from an Andres Driscoll headed cross gave the visitors a 2-1 advantage, and Peter Jandl’s goal in the 69th minute sealed the deal.

“That’s one of our goals that goes down first on the sheet every time is win the DCL” Lincoln-Sudbury head coach David Hosford said, “We’ve done that, and did it with a game left, which is hard to do.”

Experience is also a key for the Warriors, who have all the players to make a deep run in the division one north bracket.

“I’ve got 15 seniors on the team, and a lot of them have been in these types of battles before,” Hosford said. “There is a lot of leadership out there and it’s not just from the captains.”

RECAPPING LAST WEEK'S BIG GAMES
(Last week's rankings)
No. 14 Winchester 2, No. 19 Lexington 1
Sophomore Russell Kunes scored to break a 1-1 deadlock and give the Sachems a 2-1 win and the Middlesex title.

No. 7 Needham vs. No. 4 Weymouth
Needham senior Max Swartz got just enough on his shot to force a rebound out of Weymouth keeper Scott Greenwood, and Needham striker Mac Steeves finished the second chance for the games only score.

“[Brandon] Miskin got the ball pretty quick, played a good ball to me, and I was lucky enough to get just enough on it for Mac to come make that play” said Swartz of the game’s lone goal.

He also had some praise for his opponents. “They’re a good team, and they’re always physical, the most physical team we play. We just had to do our best against them”

GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 19 Lexington at Newton North
Pending Thursday’s results, the Tigers may need this game to qualify for the post season. But they went through this last season and things turned out pretty good for Roy Dow’s team.