Postgame Blog: Big Plays Propel Holliston Past Millis

Holliston quarterback Ryan Benco was fantastic in his first career start for the Panthers.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

MILLIS - The score didn't tell the whole story, but Holliston quelled any talk of the Panthers having a "down year" with a 24-7 win against defending Division 4A state champion Millis on opening night.

The Panthers got a sterling performance from senior quarterback Ryan Benco, who threw for over 150 yards and two touchdowns, to go with 55 yards on the ground, in his first start under center. On multiple occasions, Benco used his feet to evade the Mohawk rush, and either create positive plays on the ground, or buy time to push the ball down the field.

Perhaps no play was bigger than his 88-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Quinn. The throw was a perfect toss against single coverage, deep down the left side, hitting Quinn in stride as he streaked for the Millis goal line. Perhaps even more impressive than the throw itself, was the timing of Benco's strike.

The Next Big Thing: Millis' Kevin Pyne Could be Massachusetts' Biggest Football Recruit in a Generation

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

MILLIS - Since the dawn of the "recruiting website" era in college football, Massachusetts has seen its fair share of highly-regarded prospects. Catholic Memorial teammates Armani Reeves and Camren Williams in 2012 come to mind, as do Everett's John Montelus and Xaverian's Maurice Hurst in 2013.

There are numerous others but, dating back to when Rivals.com took recruiting coverage from a niche to national news in the early 2000s, the Commonwealth has never produced a 5-star prospect. None. Not one, according to any of the major ranking services.

That could soon change, however, thanks to Millis offensive tackle Kevin Pyne. The 6-foot-8, 275 lb. sophomore is currently rated as the No. 2 prospect in the entire country for the class of 2020. That is according to 247 Sports' composite ranking, which also lists Pyne as a 5-star recruit.

Whether you're favorite team is a power program in the Sunshine State, a Big Ten Blue Blood, a glitzy California mainstay, or anyone in between, chances are they have, or will, offer this small-town phenom.

Heck, the coaches over in Chestnut Hill would probably give anything to see Pyne in a Boston College uniform.

Get in line.

MIAA Football Camp Road Trip: The Millis Mohawks

With guys like sophomore Kevin Pyne (left), junior Murrell Quashie (center) and senior Ciaran Hourihan (right), Millis will have plenty of size and talent in both trenches.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

MILLIS - After years of coming up just short, the Millis Mohawks finally achieved their goal, winning the Division 4A state championship against Maynard last December at Worcester State.

But, if you were hoping that this small-school power was running out of gas, or that low numbers would take their toll, or that the school's prosperous co-op with Hopedale ending would slow the Mohawks down, you're going to have to keep on waiting.