Foxboro recaptures that winning feeling

EASTON -- Following last week's improbable victory over Mansfield for the Hockomock League title, the Foxboro Warriors were feeling pretty good about themselves and rightfully so.

Last night, in the MIAA Division 2 semifinal, that feeling got even better. Behind a staunch running attack led by senior Kevin McCarthy's two touchdowns, Foxboro upended Bishop Stang, 21-6, at Stonehill College.

"I knew it would be hard [coming back after Thursday]," said Foxboro coach Jack Martinelli. "We somehow had to find a way and we did."

The Warriors (9-2) advance to Saturday's Super Bowl against Burlington at a time and site to be announced today. Foxboro lost to Natick in last year's Super Bowl, 8-3.

"That [Bishop Stang] was a good football team," added Martinelli, whose team held an opponent to less than 10 points for the eighth time this season. "I don't know if I would want to play them again. They have some tough, hard-nosed kids."

McCarthy, who earned Hockomock All-Star status for his work on defense, finished with 103 yards on 20 carries and two scores, his final score coming from 11 yards with 6:46 left. The touchdown was set up when the ball was snapped over Spartan punter Matt Ranzinger's head, resulting in a 20-yard loss after Ryan Wilson got to Ranzinger.

"That was huge," Martinelli said. "It made it a two-score game. Our special teams have been playing well down the stretch. Ryan Wilson was unbelievable tonight both offensively and defensively."

In the first half, after watching their initial possession result in a Bishop Stang interception on the Spartan 18, the Warriors capitalized on their next drive. Quarterback Ryan Connolly connected with Wilson for a 30-yard hook-up for a 7-0 lead with just more than a minute remaining in the first quarter.

After watching their first three drives stall, the Spartans finally got on the board when Brandon Sullo took a toss sweep and rumbled 84 yards. The extra point was missed, however, and Bishop Stang trailed by 1 with 4:08 left before the intermission.

But on the ensuing kickoff, the Warriors used good clock management, driving 59 yards on six plays, capped by a McCarthy 12-yard jaunt up the middle, to send them into the break on top, 14-6.

"We had a great season," Spartan halfback Josh Weinstein said. "But tonight we weren't able to capitalize. Give [Foxboro] credit, they played well."

The Warriors' offense finished with 266 yards, and the Spartans ended with 212, but only 54 in the second half. Sullo, a senior, led Bishop Stang wth 93 yards on seven attempts.