Mansfield Football 2019

2019 Season

(11-1) (5-0)
Hockomock League Champion
Division Two State Champions

Mansfield 31 Boston College High 10
LaSalle 38 Mansfield 16
Note: LaSalle won the Ohio Div 2 State Championship
Mansfield 31 Taunton 6
Mansfield 15 King Philip 13
Mansfield 39 Franklin 9
Mansfield 36 Oliver Ames 6
Mansfield 46 Attleboro 7
DIV 2 SOUTH QUARTERFINAL
Mansfield 24 Marshfield 6
DIV 2 SOUTH SEMIFINAL
Mansfield 34 King Philip 6
DIV 2 SOUTH Championship
Mansfield 22 Natick 3
Thanksgiving Game
Mansfield 22 Foxboro 12
Div 2 State Championship
Mansfield 41 Lincoln-Sudbury 0



Top Football Teams of the 21st Century-Eastern Massachusetts

(Statistics Presented by Boston Globe-School Sports)
2000-2019 (20 Seasons) Ranked by Winning %
TEAM
RECORD
WINNING %
1. Everett
197-27-0
(87.9)
2. Mansfield
190-44-2
(81.2)
3. Duxbury
191-46-3
(80.5)
4. Abington
186-49
(79.1)
5. North Attleboro
162-54-3
(75.0)
6. Acton-Boxboro
168-60
(73.4)
7. Reading
170-62
(73.3)
8. Gloucester
167-63
(72.6)
9. Walpole
169-67
(71.6)
10. Xaverian
132-54-1**
(70.9)

** Missing 4 Seasons


Season recap

Week 1 - Mansfield 31, BC High 10
Mansfield entered the season with high expectations and made sure to load its schedule with tough opponents. It didn't take long to see how good the Hornets were going to be on defense this season, limiting the Eagles to just three points for the majority of the game before a fourth quarter touchdown. And there were flashes of what the offense was going to be as Cincere Gill went for a 64-yard score and Michael DeBolt accounted for 19 points, including a rush touchdown, a receiving score, and a field goal.

Week 2 - La Salle (OH) 38, Mansfield 16
The trip to Ohio was much more than just a football game for the Hornets, who also went to the Notre Dame game against New Mexico. The Lancers featured over a half dozen DI college commits at the time, and with plenty of scouts in attendance, possibly more by now. Mansfield didn't help its own cause with a couple of miscues but Lancers were nationally ranked for a reason. Gill scored an 87-yard touchdown in the first quarter to make it 7-7 but La Salle led 24-7 at the break. Junior Matt Boen tossed a 32-yard pass to Danny Rapoza in the third.

Week 3 - Mansfield 31, Taunton 6
The way the schedule worked out this year, Hockomock teams had a bye week somewhere in the first three weeks. The Hornets had a week off following their trip to Ohio before opening its league schedule with a visit from Taunton. The Tigers entered 1-1 on the season, coming off a win over Durfee. Mansfield went to work early as Michael DeBolt sandwiched a pair of first quarter touchdown runs around one from classmate Nick Marciano, who dashed for 58 yards up the right side that helped give Mansfield a 21-0 lead after a quarter. TJ Guy and Joe Plath helped set the tone defensively with sacks in the opening half.

Week 4 - Mansfield 15, King Philip 13
Mansfield scored just minutes into the game but would need to hold on for a close 15-13 win at the end. Jack Moussette connected with Rapoza for a 33-yard score just 2:22 into the game. But in true fashion to this rivalry, it was a rock fight the rest of the way. The Hornets were forced to punt on its next two drives, and then turned it over on downs three straight series. KP found the end zone but Marciano blocked the extra point to keep Mansfield ahead. Gill added a 20-yard touchdown, and Marciano dove in for the two-point to give Mansfield a two-score lead. King Philip made things interesting with a late touchdown but couldn't recover the onside kick.

Week 5 - Mansfield 39, Franklin 9
Mansfield's defense had been solid through the first four weeks but really took center stage against a high-powered Panthers team in the third week of league action. The Panthers entered with a 3-1 record and averaging over 25 points per game, and had home field advantage for the matchup. But instead of a shootout, the Hornets dominated on the defensive side of the ball. Franklin scored an early field goal but Mansfield answered with 26 straight points to take complete control of the game. Marciano was able to down a punt from Gill deep in Panther territory, and that in turn helped lead to a safety after a high snap. DeBolt, Marciano, Gill, and Vinnie Holmes all had touchdowns in the win as well as Ethan Thevenot on a late touchdown rush.

Week 6 - Mansfield 36, Oliver Ames 6
Oliver Ames senior Nathan Cabral (116 yards) and the Tigers put the Hornets on alert after scoring its opening series, but the Hornets buckled down and shined on both sides of the ball the rest of the way. Gill rushed for over 150 yards and a touchdown while Holmes, DeBolt, and Marciano all found the end zone on the ground. After OA scored on its opening drive, the Hornets' defense didn't allow the Tigers to add to its total on the scoreboard for the rest of the game. It was the second straight game the Hornets' defense held an opponent to 10 or fewer points, which they have done in eight of their 11 games so far this season.

Week 7 - Mansfield 46, Attleboro 7
The Hornets earned their second straight Kelley-Rex division title with a dominating win on a Saturday afternoon at Tozier-Cassidy Field. Mansfield's big play capability was on full display as Gill and Marciano both burst free for 59-yard scores in the first half. Holding a 14-7 lead after one, the Hornets really put the game away with a big second quarter. Gill had a 29-yard rushing score, Moussette linked up with Marciano for 16 yards, and DeBolt had a 10-yard rush and a 41-yard field goal to put Mansfield up 38-7 at the break. The Hornets' defense held the Bombardiers to 0-for-9 on third down and under 150 yards total.

Week 8 - Mansfield 24, Marshfield 6
Mansfield opened its playoff run as the second seed in a loaded D2 South bracket, hosting #7 Marshfield. It was a familiar opponent for the Hornets as they had played the Rams three straight seasons (2015-2017). The defense led the way, limiting the Rams to just one touchdown in the second quarter after Mansfield built a 21-0 lead. The Hornets set the tone early as they forced a fumble on Marshfield's first possession and DeBolt picked up the loose back and scored from five yards out. DeBolt added a 38-yard field goal in the second half and the Mansfield defense pitched a second half shutout to earn a win in the opening round of the tournament.

Week 9 - Mansfield 34, King Philip 6
In what was probably the most impressive performance of the season, the Hornets earned a big win over rival King Philip. Over the past two seasons, it's been the Warriors who have kept the Hornets from the Super Bowl, going to three straight state finals themselves, including a win at Alumni Field in the 2018 South Final. The Hornets were able to exact revenge in a big way as Moussette had his best game of the season under center. He tossed four touchdowns, including three to Gill, and Mansfield's defense kept the KP offense in check from start to finish. Using Gill as a receiver showed Mansfield's versatility and all of the options they have offensively.

Week 10 - Mansfield 22, Natick 3
There was no letdown after the King Philip win as the Hornets went on the road and dominated against top-seeded Natick, earning their first sectional title since 2013. Mansfield didn't score a touchdown until the fourth quarter but a strong kicking performance from DeBolt and a terrific defensive showing kept the RedHawks at bay. The Hornets' defense allowed only 45 rushing yards, six yards passing, and had three sacks. Natick only picked up two first downs all night, both coming on a first half drive with one via penalty. Holmes led the offense with 131 yards and a touchdown while DeBolt kicked three first half field goals.

Week 11 - Mansfield 22, Foxboro 12
Before the Hornets visit Gillette Stadium for the D2 State Final against Lincoln-Sudbury, Mansfield made its first trip to Foxboro to take on the Warriors for the annual Thanksgiving matchup. With last year's three overtime loss at Fenway on their minds, the Hornets raced out to a 22-0 lead with a strong showing in the first half. Marciano connected with Rapoza for a 46-yard pass, Holmes scampered for a 46-yard score, and DeBolt found the end zone from nine yards out for a 22-0 lead. Coach Mike Redding was faced with the tough decision of playing or resting his starters with the state title game looming. Redding elected to rest his starters in the second half to prep for Lincoln-Sudbury.


Game Two

Mansfield 16 LaSalle Academy 38

Ed note: LaSalle(#1 District 8) played Washington HS of Massillon, OH(#1 District 5) For the Division Two Ohio State Championship.
Game was played at the Canton Hall of Fame Stadium
LaSalle won 34-17


Mansfield High in Ohio for clash with high-powered La Salle

By Nate Weitzer Globe Correspondent,September 12, 2019.
Many programs pushed their season opener back to add a week of preparation, but Mansfield coach Mike Redding is taking a different approach.
After his Hornets handled BC High, 31-10, in their opener, Redding and his Division 2 South hopefuls headed to Ohio this weekend for a Friday night showdown against the La Salle Lancers (2-0), the No. 83 program in the country, per MaxPreps.
The 31-year coach hopes this trip will also have a lasting impact for his players on and off the field; the 66 participating students will tour Ohio State University, visit the National Underground Railroad Museum, and watch Notre Dame face New Mexico on Saturday afternoon before flying home.
Then Mansfield will enjoy a bye week before opening league play as the defending Hockomock Kelley-Rex champions.
For Redding, preseason trips became obsolete three years ago when the MIAA restricted practice sessions. Mansfield's last team excursion came in 2016, so this trip fulfills Redding's unofficial goal to give each senior class one memorable experience out of the state.

Gill not enough for Mansfield

9/13/19
CINCINNATI - Cincere Gill rushed for 192 yards on 19 carries, including a touchdown, but the Mansfield High football team fell 38-16 to No. 3 nationally ranked LaSalle High in a non-league game Friday night at Lancer Stadium.
"They're good, there were like seven Division I college scouts there," Mansfield High coach Mike Redding said of the 3-0 Lancers.
The Hornets (1-1) tied the game at 7-7 in the first quarter on an 87-yard run by Gill and Mike Debolt's conversion kick.
LaSalle came up with 10 points in the second quarter for a 21-7 lead by halftime.
Mansfield faced a 31-13 deficit entering the fourth quarter.
Danny Raposa hauled in a 32-yard scoring strike from Matt Boen on a halfback option pass in the third quarter for the Hornets' second TD.
Then DeBolt hit a fourth-quarter field goal.


*********************************

2019 Super Bowl

Mansfield vs Lincoln-Sudbury

MIAA Division Two State Championship

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Holmes Saves his 'best' for last to lead Hornets' rout

By SEAN MCGUIRE
FOXBORO - "I told myself I was going to have the best game of my life tonight," Mansfield High senior running back Vinnie Holmes said, smiling as he stood at midfield at Gillette Stadium.
"I think that's what I did tonight."
He sure did.
Behind Holmes and the running game, the Hornets earned the MIAA Division 2 state football championship with a dominant 41-0 victory over North Sectional champion Lincoln-Sudbury High Friday night at One Patriot Place.
Holmes rushed for 145 of the Hornets' 260 rushing yards. He did so on just nine carries (16-plus yards per rush) with three touch-downs. Holmes had touchdown runs of four, 17 yards and 72 yards.
"Vinnie was an animal," Mike Redding said following the coach's eighth Super Bowl win.
"(He's) just an amazing player, he's had an amazing career," Redding added. "When he's on the field we're tough to beat. He's got a great group around him, but he's a special play-er. We're going to miss him an awful lot. He's played a lot of great football and we wanted to get him the ball as much as we could today. He did his job as usual." The 5-foot-10, 205-pound Holmes had the holes in front of him and hit them. And when he got to the second level, he was too fast and too strong to bring down.
"I pulled on one play, I saw Vinnie (Holmes) hit a seam," senior right tackle Jason Comeau said of a call where he pulled outside to spring Holmes for a 17-yard touchdown run. "He's the fastest kid, knows every hole, where to go. I saw him run into the end zone and it was the greatest feeling I've had in my life." The score, which capped a two-play, 45-yard drive, extended the Hornets' lead to 27-0 with just over six minutes left in the third quarter.
Then on Holmes' third touchdown of the night to cap a six-play, 81-yard drive, Holmes took a handoff up the middle and followed the lead block by senior center Noah Jellenik. Holmes got to the second level and went practically untouched on a 72-yard sprint. "My O-line does a great job all the time for me," Holmes said, referencing the play up front by Andrew Cowles, Jake McCoy, T.J. Guy, Jellenik and Comeau. "I just found some running lanes and I was able to capitalize on it." Holmes' teammates shared the praise equally.
"This guy's our MVP right here," quarterback Jack Moussette said, pointing at Holmes. "It's just what we do. We run the ball first and when I get my opportunities, I try to make the most of them." "Vinnie (Holmes) was an absolute beat today," fellow senior captain Michael DeBolt said of Holmes. "He loves running people over. He's just a beast."
It was indeed the best night of Holmes' football career.
************************************************

Mansfield roars past L-S to eighth state football crown

By PETER GOBIS
FOXBORO - The Mansfield High football team played its best four quarters of football when it counted the most - in the MIAA Division 2 Super Bowl.
Scoring on three of their four first-half possessions, intercepting a trio of passes and riding the 149-yard, three-TD performance of senior Vinnie Holmes, the Hornets took home a convincing 41-0 conquest of Lincoln-Sud-bury High Friday night at Gillette Stadium.
The Hornets could not have choreographed their script better, taking a commanding 21-0 halftime lead by limiting the Division 2 North champion Warriors to five plays and three net yards in the first quarter while allowing the Warriors past midfield just twice on their first six offensive series.
With coach Mike Redding engineering the Hornets' eighth Super Bowl championship in 11 visits to the title tilt, Mansfield added to his previous state crowns in this century of 2019, 2013, 2010, 2004 and 2003.
"Talent will win you a lot of games, Mansfield coach but it was character and leadership that got us this Super Bowl championship," Redding said of the Hornets' 11th win of the season and their 10th straight victory. "We played our best game of the year in the state championship. You can't ask for anything more." For the eighth time this season, the Hornets limited their opponent to one TD or less in a game as they built a 21-0 advantage by halftime, owing to the ineptitude of the Lincoln-Sudbury passing game (1-for-9 for minus-5 yards, two interceptions) and the ability to turn two of those takeaways into points. "We played great on offense, throwing and running the ball," Redding said of the 358 net yards generated by the Hornets, 260 of which came on the ground.
It might have been even more because a dozen games into the season, the Hornets were still commit-ting careless penalties with false starts and defensive encroachment, totaling eight flags for 50 yards, including a roughing the passer penalty on a third down Warrior pass well over the head of the intend-ed receiver. The Hornets drove 52, 48 and 80 yards for touchdowns, scoring on three consecutive series, and crossing midfield on all four of their offensive series in the first half.
Mike DeBolt's interception at the Hornet 48-yard line ignited Mansfield's go-ahead TD while Nick Bertolino's interception in the Hornet end zone initiated the Hornets' third TD of the first half, with Holmes scoring from four yards out with 67 seconds left and DeBolt hitting his third conversion kick.
"I thought that if we didn't turn it over and avoid penalties, we could pull away," Redding said. "We still had our normal penalty issue, but we got some turnovers. That was the difference.
A 36-yard romp by Marciano down the left side to the L-S 10-yard set up Mansfield's first TD on a well-orchestrated 14-yard pass from senior quarter-back Jack Moussette over the middle to uncovered tight end Everett Knowlton in the end zone.
After forcing L-S to three downs and out on the Warriors' next series, the Hornets were back in business putting points up on the scoreboard.
Moussette teamed up with Cincere Gill on a 31-yard pass, with the fleet-footed Hornet junior easily beating L-S single defensive coverage and advancing the ball to the Warriors' 4-yard line.
Two plays later, Marciano, the Hornets' senior captain, scored from three yards out from a wildcat formation.
L-S' second interception gave Mansfield hope for more points with 2:57 left before halftime. Moussette (six-for-eight passing, 98 yards) combined with DeBolt, once again beating single defensive coverage, for a 49-yard gain to the L-S 18-yard line. "It's awesome to come out here and dominate," said Holmes, the Hornets' running back, who amassed 61 yards by halftime. "To get our first shutout of the season too, what a feeling. We knew we had the capability to do it. We just executed to the maximum in all phases." Three plays later, Marciano behind a monster block by senior left tackle Jason Comeau found plenty of room to find the end zone from four yards out.
Mansfield ended any thoughts of a Lincoln-Sudbury comeback by scoring on its first two series of the second half, taking a 34-0 lead into the fourth quarter where the MIAA mandated running time was allowed in the rout. "We saw what they did in the South bracket, they pretty much destroyed every team," L-S coach Jim Girard said of the Hornets. "We were hoping to be more competitive than we were. They have some ex-plosive kids and run hard. "We knew what they were, an outstanding football team. They were big and strong, but we hung with their physicality. The key momentum swing was that interception (by Bertolino) in the end zone. Maybe it's 14-7 at the half and we're getting the ball to start the second half." The Hornets avoided scares like a botched six-yard punt on their first series and allowing L-S running back Jack Malone a 54-yard run in the second quarter to the Mansfield 7-yard line. "There were moments where we could have let them back in, but again with our defense, we kept saying, they're not going to get it in," Redding said. "Our defense toughens up and gets aggressive when it's that close. We knew that we would make them work." The Hornets needed just two plays to travel 44 yards for their fourth TD of the game, a 16-yard bolt by Holmes.
The Hornets needed just six plays to travel 81 yards for TD No. 5 - 72 of which came on a burst of speed up the middle by Holmes, sprung loose by a huge hole created by 245-pound senior center Noah Jellenik. The Hornets then made it six visits to the L-S end zone in seven tries, traveling 46 yards on nine plays, with senior Ethan Thevenot scoring from five yards out with just under three minutes left. "These guys were ready to go," Redding said of the Hornets' run-pass mix. "We took our shots. We had some matchups we liked, we had them one-on-one and we got the running going.
"It was a great way to end the season. What we hoped they could do all year, they did it all to-night."
MHS

MANSFIELD 41, LINCOLN-SUDBURY 0

MHS L-S HS
First Downs 17 5
Total Yards 358 137
Rushing Yards 260 85
Passing Yards 98 52
Passes 6-8-0-98 5-16-3-52
Sacks-yards 1-4 0-0
Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0
Penalties 8-50 3-30
Punts-avg. 1-6.0 2-21.0


MHS

Team 1 2 3 4 Total
Mansfield 7 14 13 7 41
Lincoln-Sudbury 0 0 0 0 0


MHS

SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
Msf. - Everett Knowlton 14 pass from Jack Moussette (Mike DeBolt kick) 1:52
Second Quarter
Msf. - Nick Marciano 3 run (DeBolt kick) 7:28.
Msf. Vinnie Holmes 4 run (DeBolt kick), 1:07.
Third quarter
Msf. - Holmes 16 run (kick failed), 6:25.
Msf. - Holmes 72 run (DeBolt kick), 1:15.
Fourth quarter
Msf. - Ethan Thevenot 5 run (DeBolt kick), 2:15.

MHS

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing:
Msf. - Marciano 5-19, DeBolt 3-11, Holmes 10-149, Gill 5-53, Moussette 1-4, Comer 4-13, Thevenot 4-5, Z. Holmes 1-15;
L-S - Cahill 4-7, Gozdeck 6-2, Ohler 1-2, Malone 2-57, Murphy 1-minus 2, O'Brien 1-minus 2, Morel 1-5.
Passing:
Msf. - Moussette 6-8-0--98;
L-S - Murphy 5-16-3--52.
Receiving:
Msf. - Gill 3-25, DeBolt 2-55, Knowlton 1-14;
L-S - O'Brien 2-minus 7, Ohler 1-7, Brown 1-44, McCullough 1-8
MHS

Mansfield secondary was second to none on super night at Gillette

By SEAN MCGUIRE
FOXBORO - Members of the Mansfield High defensive backfield surprised themselves.
Even the Hornets' secondary did not imagine that it would intercept three Lincoln-Sudbury High passes Friday night, hold the opposing Warriors to negative passing yardage in the first half and do so all en route to a one-sided 41-0 victory to ultimately claim the MIAA Division 2 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium.
"I'm surprised that we got three interceptions," cornerback Mahki Baskin said following the win in which Mansfield allowed just 137 yards of total offense, including a mere 52 yards through the air.
And when members of the secondary found out they allowed -5 yards passing in the first half?
"Oh my God," fellow Mansfield cornerback Nick Bertolino said.
Bertolino was among the handful of defensive stand-outs at One Patriot Place. He tallied his first career interception at a crucial moment of the game as Lincoln-Sudbury advanced to the Mansfield 18 yard line. With three minutes left in the first half, and the Hornets possessing a mere 14-0 lead, the junior Bertolino leaped up at the goal line and pulled down the interception.
It gave the Mansfield offense the ball back, where the Hornets covered 80 yards in eight plays to take a commanding 21-0 lead at the half.
"We were in zone, I let the guy go around me," Bertolino said. "The quarterback was looking at the (receiver) that just went around me and I just kind of dropped back and jumped up and caught it. No better time."
Mansfield coach Mike Redding agreed.
"I thought that was the turning point of the game," Redding said.
And the Hornets did not stop there.
Baskin added the third Mansfield interception of the game with the Hornets already possessing a 34-0 lead in the third quarter. His came just three plays into a L-S offensive drive. "Nick Bertolino and Mahki (Baskin) they both played amazing," safety Michael DeBolt said of his teammates. "Bertolino was struggling early in the year and (fellow safety) Nick Marciano and me had a talk with him one day and he's been playing really good ever sense. He's one of the best corners I've ever played with." DeBolt added some key plays of his own, too. He made an interception on just the second Lincoln-Sudbury offensive play of the game, which set up the Hornets with favorable field position. Mansfield marched 48 yards on six plays to score on the ensuing possession after DeBolt's interception. Later in the game, DeBolt had a pass breakup on a third-and-five incompletion in the fourth quarter with Lincoln-Sudbury reaching the Mansfield 19-yard line. DeBolt's pass break up and another stout defensive play where the Hornets completely blanketed Warrior receivers down field ultimately led to a turnover on downs the next play. "Our safeties - Mike DeBolt and Nick Marciano - did a great job helping over the top and coach D (defensive coordinator Mark DeGirolamo) just had a great defensive game plan," Bertolino said. "We just came out and player our hearts out."





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