A pair of early scores helped Northeast survive Blackstone Valley Tech’s comeback, as the Knights won the Large Vocational Super Bowl, 30-25, Thursday at Milford High.
“Early on we used a lot of misdirection plays,” Northeast coach Don Heres said. “They [Blackstone] squeeze and they are very disciplined so we used that against them.”
Anthony Sousa capped Northeast’s first drive with a 1-yard dive to go ahead, 8-0. Then, after holding Blackstone to a three-and-out, quarterback Anthony Smith found Scott Peary in the end zone to extend the lead to 16-0.
Blackstone found its form on the ensuing drive and before the half the Beavers (9-4) had pulled within three, 16-13.
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“The one thing about these kids is they’re so resilient,” Heres said. “If they have a bad play they just throw it away and move on.”
In the second half, Northeast kept the ball on the ground and Peary capped the 12-play drive with a 7-yard score. Peary rushed for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
With the big game he surpassed the 2,000-yard mark.
Blackstone and Northeast traded touchdowns on consecutive drives. Northeast held a 30-19 advantage with time running down, but Valley Tech was able to drive 80 yards on six plays. A touchdown gave Valley Tech hope, but on its next opportunity to score, the Northeast defense held tough to ensure the victory.
“They stepped up at the end,” Heres said. “This team . . . they weren’t going to fall tonight. They worked too hard to fall and I’m so proud of them.”
Vocational Bowl, Small School
Upper Cape 22, Blue Hills 14 — Put a running back under center. It worked for Upper Cape Tech (10-3). Led by quarterback David Coakley, who had spent his career as a running back until last year, Upper Cape won the Small School Vocational Bowl at Sandwich High.
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With 4:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Warriors tried a fake punt. The Rams stopped them and took over on their 43-yard line. Coakley ran in an 11-yard score and a 2-point conversion to put Upper Cape ahead, 22-14.
“Those four years of hard work in the weight room all came down to that one play,” Upper Cape coach Mike Hernon said of Coakley’s run. “It certainly paid off.”
Rushing for all of his team’s three touchdowns, Coakley had 19 carries for 125 yards. He also had Upper Cape’s first score on a 14-yard run. With 2:03 remaining in the first half, he took a 32-yard quarterback sweep for a touchdown. Greg Vanlier’s 2-point conversion was successful to put the Rams up, 14-6.
Hernon noted his team received strong play on both sides of the line from Trevor Mosher,
On its final drive, Blue hills heaved a pass to the end zone, but it was intercepted by freshman Syler King as time expired.
“This is the best win ever” Coakley said. “It’s better than any one I’ve ever been a part of.”
Jacob Hietala, Blue Hills’ leading rusher, ran for 98 yards on 16 carries, including a 53-yard touchdown. Warriors tight end John Bourekas caught a 9-yard touchdown from quarterback Andrew Bryant.