RECAP: Big Plays Lift Mashpee Past Wahconah for D4 Title

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.- Mashpee captured its second consecutive state championship with a 34-13 victory over Western Mass power Wahconah, but things were a lot closer than the final score would indicate.

In fact, Wahconah (10-2) grabbed the lead midway through the third quarter when quarterback Will Geneway broke loose for his second touchdown run, putting the Warriors up 13-12. But, it would be all Mashpee (12-1) after that, as the Falcons scored 22 unanswered points, powered by long touchdown runs by Devaun Ford and Dominick Fellini.

"(We) struggled early, just like last year (in the state championship game)," Mashpee coach Matt Trivieri said. "Guys don't give up. The same thing as last year, guys just don't give up. These kids absolutely fight for every inch."

Ford led the way for Mashpee, rushing 17 times for 120 yards and two touchdowns, while also hauling in three passes for 33 yards and another score. The sophomore scored on runs of 47 and 36 yards, the latter pushed Mashpee's lead to 14.

But, it was senior quarterback Nick Carpenter's one-yard touchdown plunge that put Mashpee back up for good late in the third, and coach Matt Trivieri was quick to praise his senior leader on a fantastic career that included 35 wins as a starter and two state championships.

"(Wahconah is) big and strong inside, but (Carpenter) wanted it," Trivieri said. "35 career wins. I don't know where he ranks, but he's got to be one of the Top 10 winningest quarterbacks in this state's history... He just does nothing but win."

By the time Fellini, normally a blocking fullback, shook off a half-dozen tackles on his way to a 61-yard touchdown, the game was already decided. Mashpee takes home another state championship after defeating St. Bernard's here at Gillette last year in the old Division 6.

"I don't think anyone understands that we've won three state titles now with less than 40 kids, in different divisions," Trivieri said. "It is an unbelievable feat here that these kids have done."