Eleven total wins and three postseason victories later for St. Mary’s, it’s finally time for the Super Bowl.
The Spartans have won eight straight games dating back to early October. Some featured an explosive Spartan offense torturing the opposition, while others were defensive battles that went right to the end.
In the winning streak, the Spartans eclipsed the 40-point threshold three times, and scored 20 or more points in seven of the eight games.
With postseason victories over Archbishop Williams (37-13), Lynnfield (20-6), and Rockland (15-14) in the Division 6 state tournament, St. Mary’s has outscored opponents by 39 points en route to three morale-boosting victories.
Against Archbishop Williams, St. Mary’s Head Coach Sean Driscoll said defeating the Bishops is a “tough task for any team,” especially in back-to-back weeks going back to the regular season finale.
After taking care of Lynnfield in the second round, Rockland was next on the Spartans’ list. Despite Driscoll believing the Bulldogs were “the best team in Division 6,” and players’ breaths visible from the cold, St. Mary’s won in a close matchup that lasted right until the final seconds.
Three elimination-game victories later, it’s safe to say – momentum is on the Spartans’ side.
“As a team, we really rose to the occasion at this point,” Driscoll said. “We had the hardest stretch of the upper-four teams I think.” Driscoll said.
Now, there’s no better time to extend the win streak than Saturday at Gillette Stadium. The final team No. 3 St. Mary’s hopes to check off the list: No. 1 Stoneham.
If you’re looking for numbers to tell who’s going to win, keep looking. Stoneham and St. Mary’s are both 11-1. Also, Stoneham’s scored 386 points this season, while St. Mary’s has tallied 389. That said, either offense can win a game for the respective programs.
Stoneham has allowed 22 more points than St. Mary’s, but its defense has held three teams to single digits this season.
Driscoll said Stoneham is “traditionally a come-right-at-you offense,” and that his players will have to pass the test to match its pressure and pace.
“They very rarely go three-and-out,” Driscoll said.
Last weekend, and earlier this week, there was good weather for St. Mary’s to practice in. At practice, Driscoll tells his players to focus on the basics and play their regular game – regardless of whether the team in front of you is ranked No. 1 in the tournament or not.
As for the game being played on Saturday – instead of the usual Friday – Driscoll added it’s just another useful day to prepare.
With the setting being Gillette Stadium – home of the New England Patriots among others – Driscoll stressed the importance of finding the right dose of excitement, adding that all goal posts, yard lines, and endzones are the same.
When asked how his players may handle potential jitters before the big game, Driscoll’s advice for them: embrace it.
“I always tell my teams – if you’re nervous, you’re ready,” Driscoll said. “Then it becomes a football game.”
From quarterback Tyler Guy’s consistency, to running backs David Brown and Derrick Coulanges’ explosiveness, and to Joel Maggs’ ‘big-play’ ability on defense, the only thing remaining for the Spartans now is execution.
The game between St. Mary’s and Stoneham kicks off at 3 p.m. in Foxboro.
