PEABODY, Mass. – The high school football season quick off in theory on Thursday, July 27, as eight contending teams from Massachussetts, one from New Hampshire and one from Maine got to strut their stuff in the annual UnderArmour New England 7-on-7 Championships at Bishop Fenwick.
After 10 games in pool play and a couple of close semifinals, two MIAA schools in Middleboro and Dennis-Yarmouth faced off for the second time during the tournament with the Dolphins prevailing in a 14-13 thriller.
Dennis-Yarmouth, which lost in the semifinals of the South regional to Stoughton, joined the ranks of the regional championship after South finalist Bishop Feehan dropped out.
The Dolphins were in danger of missing the final four after a last-second loss to Woburn, but junior Daryan Thompson scored a touchdown in the waning minutes to secure a 20-14 victory over Middleboro in their final game of pool play.
They managed to take down Bonny Eagle (ME) in the semifinals, but the Dolphins found themselves down five with under four minutes to go and the ball in the Sachems hands during the finals.
The Dolphins buckled down and earned a stop, setting up a game-winning touchdown from quarterback Jacob McCarthy to Rob Evans as time expired for the school's first NE Championship in the tournament’s 12-year history.
“We were a wildcard,” Evans about the Dolphins, who qualified for the tournament thanks to Bishop Feehan declining its invitation.
“Everyone thought we weren’t going to come out and compete but we wanted it more. We came out with a lot of intensity and showed what we could do.”
East champion Billerica and South finalist Stoughton both impressed during pool play with quarterback Tom Laundry leading the Indians and a pair of impressive receivers carrying the Knights in Ruben Gonzalez and Ajahn Rue.
Woburn, Lynn English and Swampscott each earned wins before bowing out of the tournament.
Led by running back Jeremy Soule and quarterback Evan Gwozdz, Middleboro rallied for several close wins to win the South regional and opened the day with a double-overtime victory over Winnacunnet.
“I love that feeling,” Gwozdz said about competing in close games. “Learning to work under pressure helps you prepare for the regular season and it’s good to learn how to focus in those situations, because we know they’re going to come up again.”
In the semifinals, Middleboro came back to beat BB&N while Dennis-Yarmouth handled Bonny Eagle to set up a rematch in the tournament final, where Evans and company did what they usually do as the dominant program in the Atlantic Coast League.
“During the season, we’re not underdogs,” said Evans. “We’re the top dogs on the Cape and we’re going to come out and get it.”
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Dennis-Yarmouth running excellent routes, looking to stay ahead of Lynn English in @northeast7v7 pool play @masspreps pic.twitter.com/VSxmTsMZD2— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 27, 2017
— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 27, 2017
Woburn claws back against Dennis-Yarmouth in pool play @masspreps pic.twitter.com/XqOU0Ai41p— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 27, 2017
Nice snare by Colin O'Brien as Middleboro moves to 3-0 in pool play. @masspreps @GlobeSchools pic.twitter.com/aMjR8ihtyi— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 27, 2017
Great catch in double coverage from Stoughtons Ajohn Rue @masspreps pic.twitter.com/zAuy2dszXy— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 27, 2017
Freshman Geoffrey Jamiel with a diving TD grab as Dennis-Yarmouth leads 3-0 (pool play record) Middleboro. @masspreps @GlobeSchools pic.twitter.com/U8s2aNs5ab— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 27, 2017
Daryan Thompson with the winning TD for D-Y. As my dude @BHallESPN says, you better ball out if you rock the ODB haircut @masspreps pic.twitter.com/Gdy9WIzb4R— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 27, 2017
Evan Gwozdz to Jeremy Soule puts Middleboro back up 18-13 with 2 mins remaining @masspreps pic.twitter.com/ytT3GkKhmf— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 28, 2017
Middleboro opens with score but D-Y responds with score and 2pt conversion to take 8-7 lead midway thru @northeast7v7 final @masspreps pic.twitter.com/TdCBlxn7wv— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 28, 2017
Soule with a clutch TD catch on 3rd and goal to make it 13-8 Middleboro. 9 mins left @masspreps pic.twitter.com/7aTAGgPtq1— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 28, 2017
Colin O'Brien with a key INT on tipped pass to get Middleboro possession with a 13-8 lead @masspreps pic.twitter.com/4Xur2bq9wA— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 28, 2017
Rob Evans seals his man to score winning TD. Dennis-Yarmouth wins the @northeast7v7 NE title @masspreps @GlobeSchools pic.twitter.com/bks4PqhPNB— Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) July 28, 2017
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