LYNN — KIPP was one win from glory in 2022, falling in the Division VIII Super Bowl to Hull. Now, with state tournaments officially upon us, the Panthers look to avenge themselves on the biggest stage.
“It’s going to be very tough,” said coach Jim Rabbitt. “There are some real tough teams in the Division VIII bracket this year… we do our best to take it one play, one day, and one game at a time, but, ultimately, our long-term goal is to get back to Gillette [Stadium] and hopefully, be on the winning side of it.”
KIPP (6-2) is the No. 7 seed for the second consecutive season, and hosts Sutton Friday at 6 p.m.
The last time they took the field? Heartbreak, in a 41-40 loss to Manchester Essex.
“Obviously we didn’t like dropping that last game to [Manchester-Essex]. It was not our best overall effort,” Rabbit said.
But, it could be a good thing, according to Rabbitt.
“I think it was a good learning experience for us and I think it’s going to make us go into the playoffs a little more hungry,” he said.
Rabbitt remains confident in his team, especially because it’s passed this test before. The Panthers’ only other loss was a two-point defeat at the hands of St. Mary’s in Week 1, which the Panthers quickly turned into six wins.
“I think we’re a team that’s able to fight through adversity, and I think we’re definitely mentally tough enough to come off a tough defeat,” Rabbit said.
Six wins will also get you “home cooking,” as said by Rabbitt.
“We would definitely rather be at Manning [Field] then head up to Sutton. Just having the comfortability at home… it’s a huge advantage for us. So, we have to definitely make sure we take advantage of that and put on a show for our home crowd.”
Rabbit credits Sutton for its athleticism on the offensive front, but knows if his group can stick to its normal play style, it’ll “make some noise” yet again.
“We have to be able to just play our game – our fast game – with multiple athletes, getting guys in space, and let [players] do the work,” Rabbitt said. “I think if we’re able to have that mentality on offense and come with aggression on defense, I think we should be successful.”
As for what it takes to get back to Foxboro, KIPP looks to keep it simple.
“Our guys just have to play to their ability,” Rabbit said. “I think regardless of being home or away, or what teams have looked like in the regular season, we’re a tough out when we play our best game.”
Win or lose, KIPP, in its seventh year as a program, has already accomplished a great deal, per Rabbitt.
“I’m just so happy with the program. The fact that we went 6-2 and our guys are still hungry and not satisfied says a lot about the direction of the program [and] the culture the kids have built over the last seven years,” he said. “I put a lot of respect on our guys’ names… they act like champions on a daily basis on and off the field… and it’s gonna be interesting to see how far this takes them.”
