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Walpole’s Ryan Izzo needs 5 points to set the state career scoring mark. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff ) |
Same teams, same stakes
Walpole celebrated on Natick’s home field last year after beating the Red and Blue, 21-9, and winning the Bay State Herget title.
Tomorrow afternoon, Natick has a chance to turn the tables on the Rebels when it travels to Walpole in a 1 p.m. bout for the league title (the game can be heard on WDIS AM-1170).
“It seems like every year we are facing Walpole with the title and a playoff berth on the line,’’ said Natick coach Tom Lamb.
For the second straight year, both teams enter with 9-0 records.
Not only is the Herget title on the line, but Walpole’s Ryan Izzo is 5 points away from breaking the state career scoring record of 682 points, held by Nathan Sherr.
Izzo has 24 touchdowns this season, and his 170 points lead Eastern Mass.
“He is like Superman,’’ said Lamb. “No one has been able to stop him. Usually some team is able to stop a great player and everyone copies their approach. We are still searching for something to copy.’’
Last year, Izzo ran over and through a tired Natick defense in the second half, when he gained 115 of his 179 rushing yards.
“We have to try and keep him in check,’’ said Lamb. “We have to keep him under 200 yards and 28 points.’’
Natick will rely on its high-octane offense to keep pace with the Rebels. Scott McCummings leads a Red and Blue attack that averages 39.4 points per game, second in EMass. Natick probably should employ a ball-control offense to keep Izzo off the field, but Lamb isn’t changing his game plan.
“We have an explosive offense,’’ said Lamb. “The textbook says to use ball control and keep [Walpole’s offense] off the field, but we won’t turn down quickies.’’
One reason Lamb isn’t changing his philosophy is because starting running back Antone Wilson will miss the game because of an injury.
With Wilson out, more responsibility will fall on McCummings. He was hampered by an ankle injury in last year’s game; this season, McCummings has seven rushing touchdowns and 11 passing touchdowns.
“The key for us is to stop the big plays and stop McCummings,’’ said first-year Walpole coach Barry Greener. “But that is easier said than done.’’
Greener compared McCummings with Izzo in that both provide instant offense.
“McCummings is big, fast, and hard to tackle,’’ said Greener. “He can fling it out of sight and his accuracy and touch have really improved.’’
There are a ton of other games with league title implications. In Division 1, three teams can wrap up league titles. Brockton and Everett can win league titles with victories tomorrow. In the Merrimack Valley (Large), the winner of tonight’s Central Catholic-Billerica tilt will take home the crown . . . In Division 1A, Needham, Gloucester, and Taunton will advance to the playoffs with victories . . . In Division 2, Reading will head back to the playoffs if it can beat Lexington tomorrow . . . In Division 2A, the Patriot (Keenan) will be decided tonight when Scituate travels to Duxbury . . . In Division 3, Bishop Feehan can return to the playoffs with a win over Somerset tomorrow. The Patriot (Fisher) title will be decided in Hanover tonight when the Indians host Rockland. Dighton-Rehoboth can secure the South Coast Conference with a win at home against Old Rochester tonight . . . In Division 3A, Lynnfield, Cohasset, and Arlington Catholic can all punch their postseason tickets with victories this weekend . . . In Division 4, the Mayflower (Large) title comes down to tomorrow’s game between Bristol-Plymouth and Cape Cod Tech. The Boston North title comes down to a clash between Madison Park and East Boston . . . In Division 4A, Tri-County and Chelsea will win its leagues with wins.
For video of Ryan Izzo talking about the state scoring record, go to boston.com/sports/schools. ![]()




