NORTHBRIDGE — A farewell match for a legend.
Within the final sport of Ken LaChapelle’s 50-year tenure as head coach of the Northbridge soccer crew, the Rams (10-2) delivered another gem for the state’s all-time winningest coach by rolling out a 48-13 win over Uxbridge of their annual Thanksgiving Day matchup Thursday morning.
Pals, household and alumni surrounded the sector donning merchandise that celebrated an iconic profession, wherein LaChapelle gained a state-record 411 video games. And on the sector, grandsons Joel LaChapelle (Northbridge senior quarterback) and Camden LaChapelle (Uxbridge senior operating again) mixed for 5 touchdowns.
Northbridge junior Mo Rodney Daigle erupted for 211 complete yards and two lengthy landing runs (50 and 68 yards). Luke Davis returned two interceptions for touchdowns, and Michael Murphy had 4 sacks for the Rams in a day loaded with memorable performances.
Ken LaChapelle soaked all of it in.
“I’ll be sincere, it hasn’t hit me but,” he mentioned. “I believe it’s going to hit me slightly extra as we get slightly bit away from this. But it surely’s been a terrific experience right here. I’ve had nice youngsters, nice coaches and good help from the city. After which to win the ultimate sport is sort of good. You by no means can win sufficient. Ask any coach that, and so they’ll inform you a similar factor.”
Each communities showered the longtime coach with appreciation. Uxbridge gifted him a trophy and a picket chair that college students in-built wooden store — an ode to his love of woodworking. And on the half, Northbridge alumni from each decade relationship again to the Nineteen Fifties walked onto the sector, each giving Ken LaChapelle a handshake adopted by a hug.
“I used to be happy with all that,” he mentioned. “These are all guys who have been a part of all these wins and a part of all this success. They’re those. Generally you overlook about it, however each every now and then, you see somebody from the previous, and so they remind you the way necessary soccer was to them.”
Lots of Northbridge’s factors got here within the second quarter, together with three touchdowns inside a three-minute span earlier than the break. Daigle’s 50-yard landing kicked off the scoring, adopted by a 1-yard keeper from Joel LaChapelle, an 18-yard pick-six from Davis, and a 14-yard landing move to Kevin DiMuzio for a 27-0 halftime lead.
Joel LaChapelle added a 31-yard landing run within the fourth quarter, capping off his profession with 117 passing yards, 92 speeding yards and three complete touchdowns. Camden LaChapelle delivered a standout efficiency for Uxbridge as properly, ending with 170 speeding yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.
Each have been emotional after the sport, with Joel preventing off tears after incomes a win.
“It meant every part to me,” Joel mentioned. “Particularly for his final season. … I’ve been with him all my life. I’m very pleased with him. I’m pleased with everybody round him. I’m glad we bought the (win).”
“He’s the basis of all of it,” Camden added. “He’s taught me soccer rising up. … I’m very emotional proper now. It is a smart way for him to finish it. I’m very completely satisfied for him.”
Joel was certainly one of six grandchildren to play for Ken, whereas Camden and older brother Kellen LaChapelle performed in opposition to him for Uxbridge.
A part of Ken’s choice to retire after this yr was realizing that his closing sport (barring a visit to the Tremendous Bowl) would have two of his grandsons on the sector.
“I knew win or lose, I’d be feeling fairly good as a result of I had two grandsons within the sport,” Ken mentioned. “That’s fairly particular.”
