Northbridge rides offensive line into Super Bowl against Fenwick

If Ken LaChapelle of Northbridge isn?t the dean of Massachusetts football coaches, he?s at least one of the assistants.LaChapelle is in his 38th season as head coach of the Rams, and in all his time, he calls this Super Bowl appearance “one of the most earned in all of my experience.”He likes the new system, where a month-long playoff system determined the Super Bowl participants, because of the excitement it generated … and because making the game was a very pleasant surprise for him.?I?m enjoying this one more than most,” he says. “This one was a surprise. This is not a position I thought we?d be in.”The Rams started out with a 1-2 mark, but recovered to run the table the rest of the way (they?re 10-2 now, including a state semifinal win over Hoosac Valley) and earn a spot in Saturday?s Division 5 Super Bowl (8 p.m., at Gillette Stadium) against Bishop Fenwick.LaChapelle was in a unique position coming into the season in that his offensive line was experienced while his skill position players weren?t.?Four of our five linemen are seniors,” he said, “and they?re big kids. We knew that would be our strength.?It?s a nice combination to have,” he said, “but when we started off, we weren?t too sure where it would go.?But,” he said, “our kids grew up fast, and our offensive line really led us.”Northbridge?s offense is heavily slanted toward the run. Even quarterback Koby Schofer, a sophomore (and the coach?s grandson), has run for more yards (about 1,500) than he?s thrown (about 1,200).?That?s the first time in about 15 years I?ve had a 1,000-yard rusher, and the first time in my career I?ve had a quarterback run for more yards than he?s passed,” LaChapelle says.The line is weighted heavily toward the right side, where guard Tom Tabur (6-3, 285) and Connor Gatto (6-0, 290) lead the way. Tabur, LaChapelle said, is being pursued by several Division 1AA schools as well as the University of Massachusetts.The other linemen are Keenan Quinama (5-11, 220), Zach Livingston (6-2, 270) and Devin Stevens (6-1, 195).Tabur and Gatto also start on the defensive line.?We expect a lot out of those guys,” he said. “They sleep well at night after our games.”He?s very impressed with what he?s seen of Fenwick.?They?re tough,” he said. “They have some nice team speed. And they?re very aggressive. They get at you, from what we?ve seen on film.”While he?s certainly impressed with Lynn?s Rufus Rushins, who has run for more than 1,500 yards thus far, he is more wary of quarterback Nick Bona.?We think he?s the guy who makes them go,” LaChapelle said, “both on offense and defense. He?s the kind of kid that you have to know where he is at all times.?They?re 12-0,” he said. “You?re not 12-0 unless you?re a good team.”One thing that does concern LaChapelle is the team?s New England Patriot-esque way of coming alive in the second half after struggling for the first two quarters.?It?s been like for all but one of our playoff games,” he said. “Every game?s been a big game for us, and we haven?t blown anyone out. I guess that?s just our MO. It takes us a while to get going.”