Mansfield rules the day

Hornets to play on after super victory

BRIDGEWATER - The outcome of the game that almost didn't happen ended happily for Mansfield.

The Hornets punished Bishop Feehan en route to a 22-6 victory in a Division 2 playoff game shrouded in controversy.

The MIAA ruled that Mansfield used an ineligible player in two games and forced the Hornets to forfeit this playoff game. Mansfield was granted a temporary injunction Tuesday, allowing it to play the game.

"We are grateful to have the chance to play," said Mansfield coach Mike Redding. "These kids just wanted to wear that uniform one more time."

The Mansfield defense won the game. Nevin Cruz had two sacks and Mansfield didn't allow a first down until late in the fourth. Through the first three quarters, Bishop Feehan was held to 17 yards.

"The defense was unbelievable," said Redding.

The defense set up Mansfield's first score. Bishop Feehan attempted to convert a fourth and 2 from its 21-yard line, but Matt Schafer dropped the ball carrier for no gain.

Two plays later, Gregory DiPietrantonio hurdled a defender and vaulted into the end zone from 13 yards to make it 6-0.

Mansfield scored on the opening kickoff of the second half. After Shawn Doherty fumbled, he picked up the ball at his 12 and bolted up the seam for an 88-yard touchdown.

Mansfield scored once more in the third quarter and once in the fourth. Doherty took a pitch 8 yards to give Mansfield a 19-0 lead and Donny Washburn added a 22-yard field goal.

Mansfield will play Walpole at Gillette Stadium at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in the Division 2 Super Bowl.

Paul Revere Bowl

Hanover defeated Bedford, 19-18, at Veterans Stadium in Quincy in the Paul Revere Bowl.

Hanover had a circuitous drive to open the game, which began with a reverse. Nick Hocking aired it out to Greg Devine for a 55-yard gain. Two plays later, quarterback Matt Johnson was sacked at the 23 and Hanover faced a fourth and 17. Johnson connected on a pass to Joey Shisler at the 1. Matt Page ran the ball in to make it 7-0.

Hanover's Brett Wheeler kicked a 23-yard field goal after a Bedford fumble. The Buccaneers coughed the ball up again three plays later at their 16, and Page plunged in from 2 yards to make it 17-0.

The Indians added a safety in the second quarter, but Bedford finally got its offense going in the third quarter. Starting from its 32, Bedford went on a 13-play drive capped by Benjamin Rose's 1-yard touchdown. On Bedford's next possession, Kevin Cangiano heaved a 78-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Carter, cutting the Hanover lead to 19-12.

Then Carter bowled over four defenders en route to a 41-yard touchdown with 2:30 left in the game to make it 19-18. The Buccaneers went for the 2-point conversion, but Carter just missed hitting Cangiano in the end zone.

"Now we have an idea what it takes to get to a playoff-type atmosphere," said Hanover coach Brad King.

Globe correspondent Pat Ouellette contributed from Quincy.