Preview: Fifth Annual MLK Invitational at Northeastern

By: Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Those hoping to fill their Super Bowl Sunday bye-week with some high level high school basketball are in luck.

The 5th annual MLK Invitational, presented by Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Parks and Recreation Department, will take place this Sunday at Cabot Gymnasium on the campus of Northeastern University.

North Attleboro Throttles Duxbury in D3 South Final

By Jake Levin (@JakeLevin477)

NORTH ATTLEBORO — Back-to-back years of playoff frustration at the hands of Duxbury melted away for the North Attleboro Red Rocketeers on Friday night, as they romped the third-seeded Dragons, 35-0, in the Division 3 South title game.

More aptly, North Attleboro (9-1) put a deep freeze on Duxbury (8-2) – temperatures were in the 20s at kickoff – thanks to a prolific running attack and timely passing game.

Duxbury Downs Rival Hingham in D3 South Semis

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

Duxbury, Mass. - Friday night served as redemption for the Duxbury High football team.

In their past two games headed into Friday, their offense had not produced at the level they were accustomed to, scoring just 23 points. That all changed in their bout with the No. 3 Hingham Harbormen in the MIAA Division 3 South Semifinal, as the Dragons came up with a 38-13 win at home.

“The kids did a phenomenal job prepping for this one,” Duxbury head coach Dave Maimaron said. “We worked hard at practice all week and it paid off tonight.”

Your MIAA Football Week 7 Headlines

Hingham and Duxbury played a memorable, and controversial game for the Patriot League Keenan crown.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

For Eastern Massachusetts, the regular season is officially in the books, and on Sunday morning the postseason pairings were announced at the MIAA headquarters in Franklin.

Meanwhile, in Central and Western Massachusetts, one more week of regular season football remains before they get their playoff portion of the schedule underway a week from Friday.

Upon initial review, there are handful of entertaining week one playoff matchups, including No. 5 Whitman-Hanson and No. 4 Stoughton in Div. 3 South, as well as No. 5 Marshfield and No. 4 Mansfield in Div. 2 South.

Before we get to those opening round contests, as well an exhilarating week eight that is sure to come out of Central and Western Mass, let’s take a look back at week seven.

Duxbury Squeaks out 10th Consecutive Patriot League Keenan Title

Early Saturday afternoon it looked as though Hingham was on its way to snapping Duxbury’s streak of nine straight Patriot League titles.

Duxbury Survives Hingham for 10th Straight Patriot League Keenan Title

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

HINGHAM - The last time the Duxbury High football league lost a Patriot League Keenan Division football game, Akon was still on the radio, Terry Francona was managing the Boston Red Sox to a World Series title, George W. Bush was in the White House and gas was $5 per gallon.

On Saturday afternoon, the Dragons were fortunate enough to beat Hingham 14-13 on the road. The win gave the Dragons their tenth straight Patriot League Keenan Division title.

It was the closest league game the Dragons had in the last decade, and it could have looked a lot different, since the Harbormen had back-to-back touchdowns called back late in the third quarter in tightly-officiated game that featured over 30 called penalties. Had either of those scores counted, the Harbormen likely would have been crowned champs.

“Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good,” Dragons head coach Dave Maimaron said. “We needed that. Those are huge plays. It’s more than likely we see these guys again (in the playoffs).”

Bridgewater-Raynham Wins Season Opening Slugfest at Duxbury

By Tom Joyce (@TomyJoyceSports)

DUXBURY - You may have heard this one before.

The Bridgewater-Raynham High football team knocked off a defending state champ for the second year in a row. Last year, the Trojans topped Xaverian. This year, it was the Duxbury Dragons on the road in their opener on Friday night.

Shutting down the Dragons' passing game in the second half was the difference-maker, as the BR grinded its way to a 20-10 win.

MIAA Football Camp Road Trip: The Duxbury Dragons

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

DUXBURY - 2016 was last year.

Well, obviously, but, after winning a Division 2 State title last season, the 2017 Duxbury High football team is now looking to forge its own identity.

Following last season, the Dragons lost three of the state’s top skill players to graduation: Quarterback Bobby Maimaron (who set the statewide record with 122 touchdown passes in his varsity football career), star wide receiver Ryan Reagan, and do-it-all running back Devin DeMeritt, and there is nothing they can do about it.

BC High Nips Duxbury in D1 State Semifinal

By Marisa Ingemi (@Maria_Ingemi)

ALLSTON - Led by sophomore Christian Price, who tallied a career-high five goals, Boston College High School edged past Duxbury, 11-9, to advance to the Division 1 state championship at Boston University's Nickerson Field this Saturday.

“That’s probably the best game I’ve been a part of at BC High,” said head coach Steve Lydon. “Hats off to Duxbury. They’re a great team. We thought it’d be a race to ten [goals].”

Duxbury Doubles-Up Needham for Spot in D1 South Final

By Jake Levin (@JakeLevin477)

NEEDHAM - Duxbury lacrosse is one step closer to snapping its five-year state championship drought.

The third-seeded Dragons hit the road and upended the second-seeded Needham Rockets, 14-7, in the Division 1 South semifinals, a game that Duxbury (17-5) controlled from the start.

Riley Bergstrom (five goals, assist) and Henry Weld (14 saves) were the pillars of the win for the Dragons, with the duo taking their respective games to another level as the postseason progresses.

But according to Duxbury head coach Chris Sweet, what everyone saw tonight from Bergstrom and Weld, he sees every day at practice for the Dragons.

PHOTO GALLERY: Duxbury Lacrosse vs Needham in D1 South Semifinals

Photos by Jake Levin (@JakeLevin477)

We will have a full story up in a few, but first check out these photos snapped by our Jake Levin of Duxbury's big win over Needham.

Note that you can click any photo to enlarge, and launch a slideshow. Enjoy!

Duxbury Falls to New Hampshire Power Bishop Guertin in 2OT

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

DUXBURY, Mass. - The Duxbury High School boys’ lacrosse team gave it their best effort on Wednesday, and their bout could have gone either way.

Ultimately, however, the Dragons came out on the short side of their annual battle with New Hampshire powerhouse Bishop Guertin (14-2). Despite a valiant comeback effort, Duxbury (14-5) fell, 9-8, in double overtime at home to cap off their regular season.

With 17 seconds remaining in the second overtime period, Cardinals midfielder Drew Hailey found the back of the net to give his team the winning score. While Hailey managed to put up the game-winner, he was met with serious resistance out in front of the Dragons net. Three Dragons defenders closed in on him just as he let go of his shot.

To make it into overtime at all took a clutch goal from senior attackman Bobby Maimaron. He launched in a score out in front of the net with one second remaining in regulation for the Dragons it, tying the game 8-8.

This marked the 11th straight year the Dragons and Cardinals have gone head-to-head. The Dragons won the first nine in a row, but the Cardinals have taken the last two in this budding rivalry.

Duxbury Runs Away from Billerica

By Marisa Ingemi (@Marisa_Ingemi)

BILLERICA - Fueled by nine different goal scorers, Duxbury was able to torch Billerica 15-10 in a road contest on Wednesday night. The Dragons (13-3) jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but the Indians (10-8) scored the next three to make it a tightly contested game. From there, however, the Dragons soared, dominated the second half.

Riley Bergstrom scored twice in the first quarter, and added an assist, as a part of the initial 4-0 run, and senior attack Bobby Maimaron scored all three of his goals in the opening half. Despite the Indians' initial comeback, the Dragons held onto an 8-5 lead at the half thanks to a late second quarter defensive stand.

To begin the third quarter, the Dragons took off, led by two tallies from Charlie Gans. Gans, along with Bergstrom and Nick LoConte, all scored two goals apiece overall.

“That’s a good sign that we can spread it around and get scoring from a bunch of different players,” said Dragons head coach Chris Sweet.

Top-Ranked Lincoln-Sudbury Rolls No. 2 Duxbury

Sophomore attack Matt Ward facilitates from X

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

SUDBURY, Mass. – Lincoln-Sudbury head coach Brian Vona can be very hard on his players.

A man from the Belichick school of coaching, he can often be found scowling after a win, shaking his head and denoting all the things that his team did wrong.

On Saturday afternoon, that approach seemed to pay off, as the top-ranked Warriors crushed No. 2 Duxbury, 9-1, for their 48th consecutive in-state victory.

Duxbury Lacrosse Bouncing Back from a Rare "Down Year"

By Marisa Ingemi (@Marisa_Ingemi)

If Duxbury isn’t supposed to be where it is now, don’t tell the Dragons. After starting the season down in the rankings, Duxbury has found itself near the top of Eastern Mass as one of the hottest teams in Division 1.

The Dragons (9-2) have gone on a surge following a loss at Garden City, Long Island two weeks ago. With three significant wins, and two more challenging games on the horizon, Duxbury is a team on a mission to return to the top of Commonwealth lacrosse.

Duxbury Tops Hingham in Patriot League Thriller

By Marisa Ingemi (@Marisa_Ingemi)

HINGHAM - A three-goal fourth quarter pushed Duxbury past its rival Hingham on the road on Thursday night. The Dragons (8-2) came back from down two goals early to upend the Harbormen (10-3) in one of their milestone victories on the season.

Bobby Maimaron had three points and Riley Bergstrom emerged in the fourth quarter to help the Dragons capture victory.

“We came out with good energy,” Duxbury coach Chris Sweet said. “Our defense played really well, our goalie was outstanding and our offense was patient with the ball. If we have the ball, Hingham can’t score.”

Brandon Josselyn Brings College and Pro Experience to Duxbury Baseball

Brandon Josselyn pitching during his Yale days. Josselyn was named the Ivy League's pitcher of the year in 2009.   Photo by Yale Athletics.

By Nate Rollins (@n_rollins1)

One pitch at a time.

That’s the philosophy Whitman-Hanson alum Brandon Josselyn is trying to instill in his players as he settles into his new role as the manager of the Duxbury High baseball team.

After previous skipper Gordon Cushing stepped down from the helm of the Dragons, Josselyn applied for the gig and was named his successor in August, and his path to the job is a unique one.

The Hanson native was one of top players ever to grace the diamond at Whitman-Hanson. The right-hander tallied a 9-0 record and posted a 1.10 ERA in 2005 during his senior campaign, finishing his career at 20-4 with a .470 batting average.

Tobey Leads Falmouth Boys' Hockey Past Duxbury

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

BOURNE, Mass. - When tragedy struck the Falmouth High boys’ hockey team, senior defenseman Cam Tobey knew it was time to step up.

Earlier in the season, the Falmouth High boys’ hockey team tragically lost two of their seniors -- forward Owen Higgins and defenseman Jake Lavin -- who died in a car crash in December. Devastated by the news, Tobey left the Philadelphia Revolution (Eastern Hockey League) and enrolled back at Falmouth High School.

For the No. 6 Clippers (14-8-1) in the first round of the Division 1 South playoffs against the  No. 11 Duxbury Dragons (10-11-2), Tobey was the difference-maker in his team’s 4-3 win at Gallo Ice Arena Friday night.

Ryan Reagan Not Done at Duxbury, But Prepared for Harvard

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

A terrific athletic year for Duxbury wide receiver Ryan Reagan just keeps on getting better.

On Wednesday with his family and head coach Dave Maimaron in attendance, Reagan officially committed to continue his football career at Harvard University.

It has been quite the past couple months for Reagan, who back in December helped propel the Dragons to the Division 2 state championship, catching eight passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns at Gillette Stadium. Most recently, while a member of the Duxbury varsity basketball team, Reagan scored 30 points and grabbed 24 rebounds to spearhead a 73-64 upset of Brighton.

Reagan, who announced a verbal commitment to play for the Crimson Tide in October, said Harvard made a big impression on him from the get-go.

Duxbury Hockey Gets Revenge Against Natick in a Shootout

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

KINGSTON, Mass. - One year. Two games. Two shootouts. Two different outcomes.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was the Duxbury High School hockey team (3-1-1) who came out on top over the Natick Redhawks (2-0-2), by a final score of 2-1. The Dragons did so in the first round of the Island Creek Oyster Cup at The Bog in Kingston.

The shootout began with 11 missed shots -- six from Redhawks and five from the Dragons. The Dragons only had five men on their shootout list and, since their top forwards were unable to put one past Redhawks junior goaltender Mason Bailey, the team opted for a defensive player -- senior captain Hunter Smith -- to give it his best shot.

It worked.

Patriots Continue Tradition of Hanging MIAA Champions' Jerseys

 By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

The New England Patriots continued one of the region's cooler, yet lesser-known traditions, hanging a jersey for every New England high school state champion in The Hall at Patriot Place, the team's Hall of Fame and Museum.

That means all eight MIAA state champions crowned Saturday will have a jersey hanging in the same building as some of the greatest players in NFL history, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady headlining that group. The Hall will also honor the jerseys of state champions from each state in New England, along with five prep school bowl winners and select Pop Warner champions.

For MIAA Division 2 Super Bowl champion Duxbury, it was senior running back Devin DeMeritt's jersey chosen to be honored by the Patriots.