FOXBORO – King Philip utilized a robust dashing assault and a few clutch defensive efforts to say a 21-10 victory over North Attleboro and win the MIAA Division 3 soccer state championship.
It was a rematch of an earlier assembly between the Hockomock League packages, with the Warriors having gained that matchup 21-7. North Attleboro was the defending Div. 3 champions however King Philip (13-0) was not missing in massive sport expertise, having reached the Div. 2 title sport within the earlier three seasons and profitable the Div. 2 crown in 2024.
“We’re actually skilled and had plenty of seniors, in order that helped a ton,” Warriors quarterback Zach Gebhard mentioned. “We went down early, however that have saved us calm, stopped us from yelling at one another and allow us to simply concentrate on the subsequent play.”
Warriors head coach Invoice Lee mentioned that the trouble confirmed the dedication the complete program has and that the profitable tradition they’ve constructed is one thing he’s very happy with.
“In our final observe, listening to what it means to them was superb,” Lee mentioned. “I’m so blessed that I discovered KP and these youngsters, I’m simply so lucky. They’re unbelievable youngsters.”
The Purple Rocketeers began with possession however had been pressured to punt. King Philip responded by driving into North Attleboro territory. Nevertheless, a promising drive was foiled when the Purple Rocketeers punched the ball away and Sean Cornell was in a position to pounce on it for a turnover.
On the following drive, quarterback Dylan Brousseau related with Nathaniel Robin on a 56-yard go to set the ball up on the 13-yard line. A number of performs later, Robin rushed it in from the one-yard line to provide North Attleboro the sport’s first lead.
The Purple Rocketeers misplaced star operating again Frankie Strachan early within the first quarter with a foot damage. North Attleboro head coach Mike Strachan mentioned it was a troublesome loss, however that he was happy with how his different gamers stepped up.
“He’s been the center and soul of our workforce all season,” Strachan mentioned. “However I’m happy with our children for stepping up. They didn’t stop.”
King Philip responded with a methodical drive that led the Warriors to goal-to-go territory. North Attleboro practically was in a position to get a goal-line cease, however a two-yard rush from Gebhard on fourth-and-goal secured the landing for KP.
“Simply don’t fumble,” Gebhard mentioned of his mentality. “I known as my very own quantity and it was a landing.”
Brousseau would hearth one other 56-yard go, this one to Nate Gustafson, to place the Purple Rocketeers again within the purple zone. Nevertheless, a robust defensive stand pressured North Attleboro to try a 27-yard area purpose, which was transformed efficiently by Nick Torres.
King Philip would reply with one other prolonged drive that killed the vast majority of the remaining time within the second quarter and ended with a two-yard dashing landing by Ryan Greenwood.
The Warriors used practically eight minutes on the opening drive of the second half, however some penalties derailed the drive and allowed the Purple Rocketeers to drive a turnover on downs.
Nevertheless, three performs later, a deep go try from Brosseau was intercepted by Patrick Terio, and the Warriors had possession once more in North Attleboro territory. A couple of minutes later, Keigan Canto-Osorio (22 carries, 103 yards and a TD) dashed in to increase the result in 11.
“Final yr I didn’t get into the tip zone, and I used to be unhappy about that,” Canto-Osorio mentioned. “It was an excellent feeling to do that with this workforce.”
The Purple Rocketeers had been unable to attain on the following drive and the Warriors had been in a position to milk the clock and end the job from there. Tallan King completed with 23 carries for 149 yards whereas Gebherd had 83 complete yards.
“It’s an excellent feeling ending right here at Gillette with a win,” Canto-Osorio mentioned. “To get one other ring, after profitable one my sophomore yr, however this one I earned. I didn’t play as a lot on that one, so I actually really feel like I earned this one.”
