HockomockSports Game of the Week - HockomockSports.com

HockomockSports Game of the Week

Game of the Week PODCAST

HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry talks with Matt Bosh about “The Tiger Bowl” — this week’s Game of the Week between Taunton and Oliver Ames. The hosts also take a look at the other five Hockomock games on the schedule as we enter league play.

PREVIEW

Week 3 of the football season has become a little more special since the Hockomock League switched to two divisions and it marked the start of league play. But because of the divisional split, neighboring Taunton and Oliver Ames went three years between their first and second meeting. Now with Oliver Ames in the Kelley-Rex, the matchup – dubbed “The Tiger Bowl” – is now an annual meeting.

Oliver Ames scored 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter in the first meeting back in 2012 to edge Taunton at Muscato Stadium. Last year, Taunton outscored OA 19-0 in the second half and went on to win 25-7, snapping an 18-game losing streak in Hockomock play.

There will be a lot of familiar faces on the field for this year’s Tiger Bowl, including Taunton starting quarterback Noah Leonard. Leonard has tossed two touchdowns and over 200 yards in the opening two weeks. In the game last year, Leonard went 8/11 for 95 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also ran for 23 yards. The Tigers also have TJ Mendes back, who has two touchdowns so far this year. Receivers Brayden Merrill and Collin Hunter had catches against OA last year while juniors Jahmeir Lewis and Wesner Charles have come up with touchdown catches from Leonard this year.

Defensively, Taunton has had a strong start to the season. After holding New Bedford to just 15 points in the opening and coming up with a turnover, the Tigers went on the road and forced five turnovers at Durfee and held the Hilltoppers scoreless. Linebackers Billy DaRosa, Nuno Camara and Dan Murphy have had strong performances so far while Michael Perrotta and Prince Brown have forced turnovers in the secondary.

For Oliver Ames, the offense has had a lot of success on the ground so far. Junior Anthony Berksza has been tough to stop through two games, rushing for 179 yards and four touchdowns in OA’s season-opening win over Bedford and then going for 200 yards on just 20 carries and a touchdown on the road at Silver Lake. Curtis Cann hit one of his bigger targets, Ethan Eckstrom, for a touchdown against Bedford as well. Jay Fruci provides Oliver Ames with another weapon in the backfield.

Defensively, look for Jack Mills to anchor OA’s line. He’s one of the most experienced lineman in the league. He will definitely be a focal point for Taunton’s offense. Cobey Williamson also came away with an interception in Oliver Ames’ Week 1 win against Bedford and could be a tough matchup against Taunton’s receivers.