Already an intense rivalry, yesterday’s Hockomock contest between North Attleboro and Mansfield carried extra meaning.
The Red Rocketeers, playing in memory of Marine Corps Captain Kyle Van De Giesen, overcame a 25-14 fourth-quarter deficit to beat host Mansfield 28-25. Van De Giesen, who quarterbacked North Attleboro to a 1997 MIAA Super Bowl championship, died last month in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. His funeral was Friday.
North Attleboro stormed back from the 25-14 deficit on the strength of two Joe Kummer touchdown passes. The first was a 5-yarder to Evan Dean to get the Red Rocketeers within 25-20. The second, a 7-yard strike to Dan Johnson, the coach’s son, came with 45 seconds left. Dylan Rayburg ran in the 2-point conversion to push the lead to 3.
Mansfield jumped out to an early 13-0 lead thanks to a 37-yard touchdown pass from Nik Busharis to Matt Zonghetti and a 5-yard touchdown scamper by Shawn Doherty.
The Red Rocketeers came back and took a 14-13 lead just before the half. Ryan Flannery caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Kummer and Johnson scored his first touchdown on a 5-yard run. Two Doherty touchdown rushes gave the Hornets the 25-14 lead in the fourth quarter before North Attleboro made its comeback.
St. John’s Prep 42, Malden Catholic 12 - St. John’s Prep climbed back to the .500 mark (4-4) thanks to George Sessoms’s five touchdowns. The Prep sits tied atop the Catholic Conference with Xaverian at 2-0.
Newton North 42, Dedham 14 - Kourtney Wornum-Parker caught a touchdown pass, returned a punt for a touchdown, intercepted a pass, and forced a fumble.
Dual County (Large)
Waltham 42, Newton South 27 - The Hawks racked up 275 rushing yards and Brad Keirstad and Michael Nutile each scored twice.
Franklin 33, Sharon 14 - Franklin remained undefeated behind Matt Carini’s four touchdowns.
Masconomet 37, Pentucket 20 - Evan Bunker scored three times and booted a 31-yard field goal while Chris Splinter passed for two scores and rushed for another.
Amesbury 15, Hamilton-Wenham 14 - Tyler Lay factored into all the scoring for Amesbury. The quarterback passed for two touchdowns, kicked an extra point, and had a 2-pt. conversion in the Indians’ 1-point victory.
Catholic Central (Large)
Austin Prep 62, Archbishop Williams 26 - Austin Prep rolled up 443 yards of offense and scored on every drive en route to the drubbing of Archbishop Williams. Ray Acciavatti rushed for 118 yards and scored four touchdowns for the Cougars. Alex Travers rushed for 258 yards and all of Archbishop Williams’ touchdowns.
Greater Lawrence 30, Shawsheen 7 - Joe Pizzuto rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns in Greater Lawrence’s victory.
Pope John 43, Matignon 26 - Justin Nascimento passed for three touchdowns and rushed for a 91-yard score as Pope John remained unbeaten in the CCS.![]()



