LYNN — The KIPP Panthers are used to being the underdog, and it’s something they embrace. After taking care of business on the road in the opening round of the Division 8 playoffs against No. 8 Frontier Regional, the Panthers have a date set against top-seeded Nashoba Valley Tech.
KIPP defeated Frontier Regional 46-6, and Panthers head coach Jim Rabbitt said he wants his team to carry the same mentality they had in that game into this week’s matchup against Nashoba.
“We want to take the mentality more than anything. We had a great week of practice and we knew going into Frontier that we had a fighting chance if we came out and were physical and followed the game plan on both sides of the ball. We used our speed, versatility and all the things we talked about all year — it all came together,” Rabbitt said. “Our guys bought into the game plan and are finally healthy.”
When Nashoba and KIPP faced each other three weeks ago, the Panthers were on the wrong side of a 44-12 score.
“I think we learned what not to do. There’s winning and there’s learning, and we certainly learned from that one. Coaching-wise, we had a lot to clean up. Game plan-wise, looking back on the film, we didn’t put our guys in the best space to be successful,” Rabbitt said. “We’ve tightened up a lot of things since that game and have gotten healthier.”
Momentum is on KIPP’s side, and Rabbitt believes his squad is peaking at the right time.
“If you look back in the history of KIPP, we’ve always been a team that finishes the season really strong. If you go back to 2019, we started 1-4 and then ripped off eight straight wins to go to the state semifinals in our third year as a program,” Rabbitt said. “I’m starting to see glimpses of that in this team. We have high potential and I think we’ve been blooming late. Now we can give a real punch — what better punch to give than against the No. 1 team that beat you by 32 points the first time out.”
Although the Panthers are filled with confidence, Rabbitt knows Nashoba’s offense will be tough to slow down.
“It’s going to be hard. For all the things we do well, they’re a really good football team, too. They’re the No. 1 team for a reason. Coach Danny Kelly and I are good friends and we talk all the time. I respect him tremendously as a coach and what he’s done with that program to build it into the powerhouse it is now,” Rabbitt said. “We know they’re going to get yards. Zack Deschenes is a great running back who runs like his hair is on fire. He’s a powerful back — you’ve got to stop him and beat him to the point of attack.”
One area the Panthers have been focusing on in recent weeks is special teams, a phase Rabbitt believes could be pivotal.
“Special teams are going to be a huge factor. A couple of years ago we went down to Carver and had a chance against a really good opponent, and they popped an onside kick on us that kind of sealed the deal. Same thing against Whittier Tech — we had a chance to go down and tie it, but special teams hurt us,” Rabbitt said. “Since then, we’ve made sure we practice special teams and hone in on our game plan to make sure we can be explosive, but also make sure teams don’t take things from us on special teams.”
The Panthers will travel to Nashoba Valley Tech on Friday for a 7 p.m. game.
“I think it’s going to be an awesome football game to watch. I think it’s one of the better matchups in the Round of 8 for any division,” Rabbitt said.