12/06/202512/06/2025

“He’s a Killer” – King Helps Deliver Super Bowl Title in Final Game for KP

King Philip senior Liam King tackles North Attleboro sophomore Nathaniel Robin in the backfield in the first half of the Division 3 state championship at Gillette Stadium. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

By Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor

FOXBORO, Mass. – Late in the fourth quarter of Friday night’s Div. 3 Super Bowl, North Attleboro quarterback Dylan Brousseau swung a pass out to running back Nathaniel Robin. King Philip senior Luca Angelucci was able to get a hand on the back to slow him down and classmate Liam King came through with a thumping hit, stuffing the play for a one-yard loss right in front of the Warriors bench.

Sometimes being in the trenches can make it hard to stand out, but this was a moment to shine for one of King Philip’s unsung heroes. Not for the first time during KP’s come-from-behind, 21-10 victory, King let out a roar as fired up coaches and teammates rushed to celebrate with him.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

“He brings the emotion, you can definitely say that,” explained senior quarterback Zach Gebhard. “He’s loud and everyone else gets loud right behind him.”

King is one of the emotional leaders on both sides of the ball and an example to his teammates, even on a roster with 26 seniors who are just as committed to continuing KP’s amazing run of success.

“He is so awesome,” KP coach Brian Lee said of King. “He’s so athletic, so strong in the weight room, he’s a killer, and he’s got this personality that just makes you love him.”

Lee added, “He is, I thought, probably one of the best defensive players in the Hock this year and he’s not sure if he’s going to play next year so this was very emotional. You want it so bad for those guys. Kinger is such a dude, he works so hard, and I can’t say enough great things about him.”

It is well-known that KP relies on the running game, which makes the offensive line critical to the team’s success. On Friday night, King, the left guard, and the rest of the KP front controlled the line of scrimmage. The Warriors rushed for 281 yards and three touchdowns and the offense had 21 first downs.

“We all lift together and Coach Lee runs the o-line and gets the boys to know what we’re doing,” King, a two-year starter, said about the cohesiveness that has developed along the experienced front five (which includes seniors Aidan Lyons, Nate Crisci, Lex Chatham, Angelucci, and King). “Nate Crisci, our center, phenomenal player, and the communication up front is huge. Of course, our backs are absolute dudes.”

Putting in the work year-round has been a mantra for the program since Lee took over and King has embraced that mindset. He is a firm believer that the success on the field starts with the effort the team puts in off it. It also creates a lasting bond among teammates.

“It’s the grit,” King said about what makes KP so close. “It’s really a brotherhood – the coaching staff, the players. It’s really just another family. It’s crazy. The second we come to Gut Camp, we’re all together and we’re ready to work and motivated to get a ring.”

This is the fourth Super Bowl appearance in a row for King and the other seniors and they won a title as sophomores against Marshfield, but this year’s game was different (and not just because they were playing a league rival).

“I said yesterday to the team, that ring really didn’t mean as much to us as sophomores because that team was senior-dominated like it is now,” King explained. “Losing last year just absolutely killed me and getting the ring this year it’s just a great feeling to win one last time with my boys.”

Defense is a constant focus at KP and King has excelled this season. Senior running back and linebacker Tallan King (no relation) said that the team charts a variety of defensive stats and that Liam is always at the top.

“He has a huge impact on this team,” Tallan said. “This year, he took it to a whole new level. He’s been No. 1 on the D-chart for every stat leading up to this moment. He’s such a great teammate and he’s such a great captain and leader, it’s great to have him on this team.”

When it was mentioned that Tallan had been talking about the D-chart after the Super Bowl win, Liam quickly replied, “I think me and him are competing for the top of the D-chart after this game, so we’ll have to see who won it. I hope it was me but he made some big plays tonight too so we’ll see.”

There are a lot of intricacies to offensive line work, but his approach to defense is pretty straightforward. “Always have that mentality that I’m going to smash the person in front of me,” he said. “Just always work to get to the ball carrier and tackle him.”

It’s a simple approach but an effective one. He has been one of the team’s leading tacklers all season and he closed out the third quarter of the Super Bowl with a sack and started the fourth with another big hit on a short run.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Standing on the field at Gillette Stadium, having closed out his high school career with a perfect season and a state title, King was clear about what it takes for a program to go on the run that the Warriors have been on for a decade.

“Countless hours in the weight room, summer practices, always working, always have that mindset that we want to get back here,” he said.

“It’s what we do at King Philip – we get to Gillette and we win. That’s what we do.”

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12/06/202512/06/2025

King Philip Comes From Behind to Beat North in D3 Super Bowl

King Philip football — King Philip celebrates after beating North Attleboro to win the Division 3 state championship at Gillette Stadium. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

By Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor

FOXBORO, Mass. – Over the past decade, it has become commonplace for King Philip to be on the field at Gillette Stadium. Friday night’s Div. 3 Super Bowl was the eight time in the last nine opportunities (there were no playoffs in 2020 due to COVID) that the Warriors had reached the state title game.

This year was a little different, as the Warriors were playing in D3 for the first time and on the opposite sideline was a familiar foe – league rival and defending champion North Attleboro (10-3).

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

No surprise given the teams’ similar styles and rosters that the game was a grind. North twice took the lead in the first half, but KP battled back, getting touchdowns from three members of a large senior class that was playing in its fourth straight Super Bowl and pulling out a 21-10 victory.

With the win, KP improves to 4-4 in its eight Super Bowl appearances.

“Every morning, four days a week, these boys have been grinding in the weight room,” said senior running back Tallan King. “Blood, sweat, tears, everything, this team has poured everything into this. I’m just so happy to win it with the kids I grew up with. I’m on top of the world right now.”

Senior lineman Liam King (no relation to Tallan) added, “Countless hours in the weight room, summer practices, always working, always have that mindset that we want to get back here. It’s what we do at King Philip – we get to Gillette and we win. That’s what we do.”

After North was forced to punt to start the game, KP took over at its own 23 and started driving behind its two star running backs King (23 carries for 149 yards) and Keigan Canto-Osorio (22 carries for 103 yards). After Zach Gebhard (6-of-10 for 65 yards) hit Liam McGrath to convert on third and five, the Warriors were on the verge of taking the lead.

Ryan Thompson came up with a big play for the Rocketeers, stripping the ball loose and Sean Cornell jumped on it. Two plays later, facing third and five, Dylan Brousseau (5-of-13 for 147 yards) fired a strike deep downfield to Nathaniel Robin for 56 yards to the KP 13.

The game changed two snaps later. North’s leading rusher Frankie Strachan stayed down after a short run and was forced to the sideline with what turned out to be a broken foot. Brousseau would convert on fourth down to keep the drive going and Robin would dive in from the two to put Big Red in front 7-0.

It was a great start for the defending champs, but losing Strachan, who had done so much to get the Rocketeers back to Gillette, made things significantly tougher on both sides of the ball.

“He’s been the heart and soul of our team all season,” Mike Strachan said about losing his star. “He makes everything calm down, he’s just been a great leader for us all season. But, I’m proud of our kids for bouncing back. We didn’t quit and they’re a great football team and they were better tonight.”

KP head coach Brian Lee commented, “It just sucks. It’s just the worst part about football. A kid like that is obviously the heartbeat, everybody looks to him, he’s a winner, he’s so much more than just a player – he’s the team. To see him go out is just heartbreaking.”

KP answered right back with an 11-play, 67-yard drive. King took a stretch play 17 yards to get the ball to midfield. Gebhard hit a wide open Kyle Danson in the flat for another 17 into North territory. Canto-Osorio found a seam for 12 yards to the 11 and, three plays later, on fourth down Gebhard was able to sneak in from the two. Nate Crowley tacked on the tying extra point.

Without its workhorse back, North leaned on big plays in the passing game. Brousseau was able to get rid of a pass seconds before being crushed by Tallan King and hit Ryan Gustafson in stride for the second 56-yard completion in as many drives. He just missed a touchdown pass to Thompson on first down and the KP defense would hold, forcing North to settle for a 27-yard kick from Nick Torres to move back into the lead.

It wouldn’t last to halftime. KP responded with another impressive drive (10 plays, 68 yards). Gebhard again found Danson in the flat for nine, then King then bounced a run to the outside for 13 to the North 34. McGrath made a great catch against two North defensive backs for 15.

Gebhard scrambled to his right, getting around the corner and taking off down the sideline. He was met at the pylon by Joseph Ruggiero and forced out at the one. Both players stayed down, so Brody Zolak came in for the next snap. Ryan Greenwood got the inside handoff and powered into the end zone to make it 14-10.

North had only 43 seconds left in the half but gave itself a shot to add more points. Brousseau (11 carries for 34 yards) gained 21 on two plays and Milo House made a terrific grab while falling on the far sideline for 19 to the KP 38. Danson would ensure KP held its lead with a sack to end the half.

The Warriors got the ball to start the third quarter and nearly scored again. After Gebhard hit Greenwood in the flat to convert third and six on the 10th play of the drive, KP had first down at the North 14. Canto-Osorio went around the left side and found the end zone, but holding and a personal foul meant that instead of six points KP now faced first and 30.

Gebhard nearly turned it into a touchdown anyway but Kenny Jean laid out to tip a pass away from Connor McDonald and prevent the score.

It could have been a momentum-turning stand for the Rocketeers but on the second play of the next series Patrick Terio stepped up and picked off a pass to give KP the ball right back.

This time, the Warriors would finish off the drive. King went for 13, Canto-Osorio gained eight, and then King muscled his way for 10 more. on first and goal, Canto-Osorio found a hole and burst through it for an eight-yard TD.

“It started freshman year,” King said about the one-two punch of him and Canto-Osorio. “We were the two star running backs, both splitting the carries, and we’ve created such a good chemistry and bond. That’s my brother right there.”

Lee noted, “Holding them to that field goal was huge for us and then we could get [into halftime] with some breathing room. Once we were up 11, I felt alright. If we can get the ball back and grind a little bit, we’re going to be okay.”

Brousseau made another great throw, dropping a pass into Gustafson for 18, and then called his own number for 11, trying to keep North in the game. Tallan King came up with another big defensive play, sacking Brousseau for a loss of eight. McGrath intercepted a pass on third down to end the drive.

North got it back one more time with a chance to cut into the lead but Luca Angelucci and Liam King stuffed a swing pass to Robin for a loss and Brousseau had a pass broken up by Zion Dumay.

“They’re physical, but I think our kids did great,” Strachan said. “We started six sophomores tonight, so our future is looking really good. We were very proud of what they did and how we got back here. It’s really hard to get back here and it’s hard to win here.”

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

King Philip was able to run out the clock, completing a perfect season (13-0), and sealing its second Super Bowl title in the past three years.

“I wanted it so bad for them,” Lee said about getting back on top for his 26 seniors. “The kids work so hard, I love them. I asked them tonight, what can you give extra? Because it’s going to take extra, it can’t be what you gave the first time, it’s going to be a harder game.

“I am so blessed and lucky that I found KP, and these kids, and I’m just so fortunate.”

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12/06/2025

No Shawsheen Redemption: Foxboro Falls to Rams in D5 Final

Foxboro football — Foxboro’s Jack Taft (left) and Josh Hindin (44) tackle Shawsheen Tech’s Jake Banda in the second half of the Division 5 state championship game at Gillette Stadium. (Ryan Lanigan/HockomockSports.com)

By Josh Perry || HockomockSports.com Managing Editor

FOXBORO, Mass. – With less than five minutes remaining in Friday evening’s Div. 5 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium, Kawan Dias pried the ball loose and Kolby Hassett jumped on the fumble to give Foxboro (9-4) the ball at midfield and one more chance to even the score.

In the next four plays, the Warriors lost two yards and gave the ball back to Shawsheen Tech for the final time.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

For the second year in a row, the Foxboro offense struggled to find its footing against the Rams defense (managing only 116 total yards on Friday night) in the title game. Shawsheen Tech scored twice on its first six plays and held on for a 14-7 win and its second consecutive D5 championship.

“They established the run, we couldn’t establish the run and that makes a big difference in the game,” Foxboro coach Jack Martinelli explained. “In December, you have to be able to do that but give them credit.”

He added, “The kids gave it all they could and that’s all you can ask.”

Foxboro got a first down on its opening possession, thanks to a third-down pass interference, but was forced to punt. One play later, Shawsheen Tech was in the lead. Adam Caruso (7-of-14 for 151 yards) threw a screen to Dyllon Pratt (three catches for 137 yards), who got a block and raced clear for a 77-yard touchdown. The XP hit the upright but the Rams led 6-0.

After another Warriors punt, and despite a couple of penalties, Shawsheen Tech needed only five plays to add to its lead. On fourth and one, Caruso again found Pratt on the left side and he slipped a tackle at the line before running free for a 51-yard score. Jake Banda pushed the pile to add the two-point conversion and make it 14-0.

The Rams forced another punt and got the ball back near midfield with a chance to maybe put the game away before halftime, but the Foxboro defense made a stand. Cam Deleskey stepped up from his corner position to stuff Banda on fourth down.

Foxboro would turn the next drive into points. Deleskey (19 carries for 81 yards) got it started with a run around the right side that drew a 15-yard face mask call. On third and three from the Shawsheen Tech 38, Deleskey found a seam and he broke away for a 29-yard run, stepping out inside the 10.

Ryan Foley gained four yards on first down and Deleskey would get three over the next two snaps. An offsides penalty made it fourth and goal from the one. Tackle Matt O’Keefe lined up as the fullback in a power set and the senior got the call, diving for the end zone and getting just enough push to cross the line. Andrew Higgins added the extra point to cut the deficit in half with 7:25 remaining in the second quarter.

“I’m always proud of the kids – win, lose, or tie – they did a great job,” Martinelli replied when asked about his team battling back into the game after the tough start. “They hung in there, they didn’t hang their heads. They came out and we just couldn’t get it done at the right time.”

Shawsheen Tech went right back to work on its next drive with Banda (24 carries for 115 yards) gaining 15 on the first snap. An offsides call on the Warriors converted fourth and short, but Jack Taft and Trevor Palmer combined to stuff Caruso for a loss of five and Gabe Beaule broke up a third-down pass attempt. On fourth and long, Jackson Bohlen picked off a pass to end the drive.

The Rams got the ball back to start the second half and, on fourth and two from the 43, Shawsheen Tech dialed up a fake punt and Nathan Smith’s sweep gained six. Banda would also break out a 19-yard run to convert third and long. Again, the Foxboro defense was able to make a stand inside the 30. This time it was Beaule and Dias stuffing Banda on third down and Beaule making a big tackle to stop Banda on fourth.

Foxboro turned to Deleskey to try and generate some offense. Running behind Foley’s lead block, he broke a 22-yard run out to the 40. On third and three, he kept running left to gain nine and move the chains. Three plays later, facing a third and 12, Deleskey completed his first pass of the night, finding Dias a step behind the coverage for 29 yards inside the Shawsheen Tech 20.

“To me, he’s the epitome of what high school football is all about,” Martinelli said of Delesky. “For three years, he’s played every position on the field for us, other than on the line – receiver, defensive back, quarterback. He did whatever was necessary to win.”

The drive ran out of steam after the completion and, on fourth down, Deleskey was under pressure again and unable to connect with Hassett on the sideline, giving the ball back to the Rams.

Foxboro’s defense stepped up and forced a punt but a sack on first down lost 13 yards and Deleskey was stuffed for a loss on third down as well. The Rams faired no better on the next series. Taft and Ryan LaCroix teamed up for a big hit on third down and Deleskey again set the edge for a big tackle to prevent Banda getting upfield.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

After the Warriors punted it back, it felt like all momentum was lost. Then Dias and Hassett made a big play to give Foxboro a little bit of life and the ball near midfield. A big tackle for loss on second down and a pair of incomplete passes under duress effectively ended the game.

Shawsheen Tech got the ball back and was able to run out the last couple of minutes to seal back-to-back state titles.

“The seniors have played in three of these,” Martinelli said about the run that his upperclassmen have been on over the past few seasons. “Unfortunately, it didn’t end the way we wanted it to but their goal was to get here. Shawsheen is a good football team and you can’t spot them 14 points right in the first quarter.”

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