Wareham prepares for new foe Hingham
Hingham and Wareham haven't played each other in 15 years. Tomorrow, the Harbormen (9-2) take on the Vikings (10-1) at Greater New Bedford at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Division 2A Super Bowl Saturday.
For the Vikings, this is familiar territory; they reached the playoffs in 2003 and 2005.
"They're very big up front, well coached, and the fastest team we've played all year," said Wareham coach Dan Nault . "They've been a quality team for some years, but they've always been behind Duxbury, so this is interesting."
Reigning Division 2A Super Bowl champion Duxbury was hit hard by the loss of a core of seniors, and had a mediocre season. Hingham took advantage, rising to the top of the Patriot League.
"We've got our hands full," said Nault. "We aren't familiar with each other, but there aren't going to be any big surprises."
Hingham runs the spread offense, using quarterback Ryan Lally as the base (seven touchdown passes), complemented by halfbacks Jim Baggot (16 touchdowns) and Chris Constantine (nine touchdowns). The team was 7-0 in the Patriot League and scored the most points per game (25.9) and allowed the fewest (10.5 ) in the league. Hingham has shut out teams three times, and has allowed more than 20 points only twice. Quite simply, it is a dangerous football team.
Wareham quarterback Mike Laperriere (10 touchdown passes), a three-year starter, once was constantly pressured by opponents stacking the front defensive line because Wareham lacked options downfield. Nowadays, Nault said, teams just can't do that.
Wareham won the South Coast Conference for the second year. The Vikings use three halfbacks: Keith Patterson, Cedric Lopes, and Darryl Foote, who have combined for 32 touchdowns.
Thanksgiving may be over, but everyone knows leftovers last awhile.
After losing to Winthrop, 42-21, in September, Masconomet (9-2) gets another shot tomorrow at Lowell at 4 p.m. The winner will move on to represent Division 2A in the Super Bowl against the Hingham-Wareham winner.
The paths to this game differed greatly for the Chieftains and Vikings.
Winthrop (11-0) is all smiles after defeating its Thanksgiving rival Revere, 38-0; the Vikings finished their season undefeated and atop the Northeast Conference.
Masconomet, on the other hand, looked somber and disappointed on Thanksgiving after losing to North Andover, 20-6. The Chieftains shared the Cape Ann Large title with both North Andover and Wilmington, each team having a 4-1 record. The Chieftains remain one of the top tier teams in the division. Since losing to Winthrop Sept. 15,
"Our D-line in that first game was getting blown out, so we have some different people in there, and they're ready to go," said Masco coach Jim Pugh. "It's a tough offense to stop, James Fucillo can throw the ball, he makes great decisions. Every time you think you have him, he's able to throw the ball and get the first down.
"We're going to have to score some points. You're not going to shut down Winthrop."
