VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Nashoba and North Andover Capture State Titles at Gillette

North Andover celebrates a thrilling win over two-time defending champion King Philip in the Division 2 state championship game. Photo by Brendan C. Hall.

Videos by Matt Siegel (@SportVideoMA)

Foxboro, Mass. - In a Friday night double-header, Nashoba and North Andover captured MIAA football state championships at Gillette Stadium.

Nashoba's Division 4 title game victory over Dighton-Rehoboth and North Andover's D2 win over King Philip kicked off a full weekend of high school pigskin at the home of the Patriots. We will have full coverage of all six of Saturday's games, but first, check out these highlights from Friday, courtesy of our Matt Siegel.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: King Philip holds off Natick

Video by Matt Siegel (@SportVideoMA)

Natick, Mass. - Two-time defending state champion King Philip lives to fight another day, as the Warriors held off a physical Natick team, 17-7, in the MIAA Division 2 South semifinals.

Our Matt Siegel was there to capture all the action, and you can check out his video highlights below.

PHOTO GALLERY: Archbishop Williams Hockey Tops King Philip

Photos by Eamon Convey (@eamonconvey)

Thanks to a pair of goals from 8th grader Caiden Hess, Archbishop Williams scored a huge 4-1 win against King Philip Wednesday night.

Our Eamon Convey was there to capture the sights of the big game. Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Our 2017 MIAA Football Award Winners

By SuiteSports Staff

After another exciting year of Massachusetts high school football, SuiteSports.com and its panel of high school correspondents are excited to announce our MIAA Football award winners.

While a bevy of players stood out this season, including all who made our second annual All-State Team, these stood above the rest due to their production and value to their teams, both during the regular season and in the state tournament.

This group helped their respective programs reach new heights, and excelled as individuals, on and off the field.

So, at long last, here are this year’s SuiteSports MIAA Football Award Winners.

MIAA Football Top 25: The End of 2017

Our final rankings of the best MIAA football teams in the state, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 12/5)

1. Everett (12-0; Last Ranking – 1) One of the greatest teams in state history, the Crimson Tide wrapped up back-to-back state titles with another convincing win, handling Xaverian 35-10 in the nightcap Saturday at Gillette Stadium. While other teams had great seasons, Everett as our statewide No. 1 was a no-brainer, given the Tide's year-long dominance, and sheer level of talent across the board.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: St. John's vs North Attleboro and King Philip vs Lincoln-Sudbury

Video Produced by Greg Story (@StoryThruVideo)

It was a wild first night of the MIAA football championships, as St. John's (Shrewsbury) edged North Attleboro in a thrilling shootout for the D3 state championship, and King Philip won a slugfest against Lincoln-Sudbury in the D2 Super Bowl.

Continue below for some highlights produced by our Greg Story, featuring editor Joe Parello.

Baker's Kick Lifts King Philip to Second Straight Title Against Lincoln-Sudbury

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

FOXBOROUGH -King Philip knew the game’s tense final moments would end in euphoria. After all, it was playing out eerily similar to other rock fights they had encountered along the improbable streak.

With less than two minutes to go, Cole Baker drilled a go-ahead 30-yard field to give King Philip a three-point lead. On Lincoln-Sudbury’s ensuing drive, KP’s secondary broke up a pair of passes, the last of which came courtesy of captains Shane Frommer and Andrew Dittrich, as King Philip defeated L-S, 10-7, in the Division 2 Super Bowl on Friday night at Gillette Stadium.

The win gives King Philip back-to-back championships and improves their winning streak to 25 games heading into next season.

PHOTO GALLERY: King Philip vs Lincoln-Sudbury in the D2 State Final

Photos by Eamon Convey (@eamonconvey)

FOXBOROUGH - We will have a full recap and some bonus coverage of King Philip's nail-biting 10-7 victory over Lincoln-Sudbury in the MIAA Division 2 state championship football game, but first enjoy these shots from our Eamon Convey.

Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow.

Four Teams Face the Challenge of Repeating as State Champions This Weekend

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

For seniors playing their final high school game, there is no better feeling.

The Gatorade shower they provide to their coach, the trophy they are presented, and finally the Super Bowl rings they are given in the spring all cap off a memorable four-year career.

While those seniors head off their separate ways in the fall, those that followed their leadership are hoping for something better.

The juniors, sophomores, and even freshman that were too an integral part of that Super Bowl run, now are on the road to solidifying that the championship was not a one-off event. Rather, that it was just the beginning of a program putting itself firmly on the MIAA football landscape.

There may be no more challenging feat to accomplish in high school sports than repeating as state champions.

Over the course of one season any team, a favorite or perhaps even a sleeper, may emerge talented and experienced enough for one shot at a state championship.

Come the next season, however, they no longer fly under the radar, and now carry a much bolder title next to their school name – "Defending state champion."

No longer are they a team to beat simply because of the conference they play in, or their history as a program, but because they own something that everyone else wants.

They are guaranteed to get everyone’s best shot.

Previewing the MIAA State Football Championships: Divisions 2 & 3

King Philip is headed back to Gillette, but can the Warriors repeat as state champions against an explosive Lincoln-Sudbury team?

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

Two weeks ago, high school football fans across Massachusetts welcomed the exciting news that all eight Super Bowls would be played at Gillette Stadium.

Prior to the usual six-game slate on Saturday, a pair of contests would be played Friday night, giving fans of all schools the opportunity to see their team play at the home of the New England Patriots.

Those two Friday night games turned out to arguably be the top two games on the docket.

First up in the Division 3 state championship game is Central Mass champion St. John’s (Shrewsbury) against D3 South champ North Attleboro, two teams that have been explosive all season long.

In the night cap, it’s the Division 2 state title game, where defending champion King Philip will look to cap off its second consecutive undefeated season against Lincoln-Sudbury, a squad that hopes to hand longtime coach Tom Lopez his first Super Bowl win since 1989.

Before we preview a loaded Saturday slate of Super Bowl matchups, lets take a look at those two Friday night affairs.

Shane Frommer Leads King Philip Back to D2 Super Bowl

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

WRENTHAM — As Shane Frommer exited the postgame huddle with his teammates, his pads were covered in blood. Full smiles, panting in excitement through the freezing cold air, the King Philip running back could not have cared less about the red on his gold and green uniform.

In a near replica of last year's sectional final, Frommer ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns on Friday night to lead No. 1 King Philip to a 29-19 win over No. 3 Bridgewater-Raynham in the Division 2 South Sectional Final at King Philip Regional High School.

The win advances the defending state champion Warriors (10-0) to their second straight Super Bowl while also increasing their winning streak to 23 games.

Your MIAA Football Playoffs Weekend Review: The Sectional Semifinals

Catholic Memorial and BC High played one of the most memorable playoff games in recent memory Friday night, with a controversial call and a Hail Mary lifting the Knights to victory.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

There is no question that the MIAA playoff system has flaws. Most notable among them are too many teams, too many divisions, and for some, a lack of importance now placed on winning the league.

This past weekend, however, portrayed the system’s outstanding benefits.

Teams playing for a spot in the sectional finals battled it out, with some playing against conference foes, while others faced off against teams for the first time.

Memorable endings, top performances, controversy, and wild finishes engulfed the weekend.

Now it is on to the sectional finals, where some enticing matchups will be played.

We will preview some of those sectional finals later in the week, but before we do that let’s take a look back at what was a wild weekend of sectional semifinals.

SuiteSports' MIAA Football Player of the Year Watch List: 11/3

Steven Bucciaglia is putting up monster numbers, and has the chance to lead his St. John's (Shrewsbury) Pioneers to a state championship in Division 3.

By SuiteSports Staff

SuiteSports is proud to unveil its updated list of candidates for its 2017 MIAA Football Player of the Year Award. This list will be updated weekly through state championship Saturday on December 2nd.

The winner will be announced in accordance with SuiteSports’ All-State teams in the second week of December.

Here are the current candidates for the 2017 MIAA Football SuiteSports Player of the Year Award. Players can make their way onto this list as the final weeks of the playoffs unfold.

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.

SuiteSports' MIAA Football Player of the Year Watch List: 10/19

Arguably the best two-way player in the state, King Philip's Shane Frommer has the Warriors in prime position to defend their state title.

By SuiteSports Staff

Last season, SuiteSports bestowed its first ever MIAA Football Player of the Year award upon Duxbury quarterback Bobby Maimaron. One year later, SuiteSports is excited to continue its now annual tradition of honoring the top football player in Massachusetts.

While a number of players have certainly made their case with standout performances, only a select few have exhibited the consistent excellence it takes to be named the top player in Massachusetts.

Beginning this week, SuiteSports is proud to unveil its candidates for the 2017 MIAA Football Player of the Year Award. The list will be updated weekly through state championship Saturday on December 2nd.

The winner will be announced alongside SuiteSports’ All-State Team in the second week of December.

Here are our current candidates for the 2017 MIAA Football SuiteSports Player of the Year Award. Players can make their way onto this list as the final weeks of the regular season and playoffs unfold.

Lydon and Frommer Both Instrumental in King Philip Winning Streak

King Philip senior quarterback Brendan Lydon and running back Shane Frommer (25) in last year's Division 1A Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

WRENTHAM - Holding on to a 16-game winning streak, King Philip was on the ropes.

Already down 10-0, the Warriors were teetering as rival Mansfield motored down to the 10-yard line, looking to create an insurmountable lead right before the half.

Then, in an instant, the complexion of the evening changed.

King Philip Owns 4th Quarter Against Mansfield

By Jake Levin (@JakeLevin09)

WRENTHAM — Shane Frommer had only six yards rushing through three quarters. The No. 19 Mansfield Hornets must’ve been in excellent position to bring an end to the 16-game winning streak of the No. 5 King Philip Warriors, no?

Frommer found other ways to impact the game, with his 91-yard interception return for a touchdown proving to be the spark for 28 unanswered King Philip points in the Warriors' 28-10 victory over Hockomock League rival Mansfield on Thursday night.

MIAA Football Top 25: Week 4

Shane Frommer and his King Phillip teammates now hold the longest active MIAA winning streak. The defending Division 1A state champion Warriors have won 16 games in a row.

Our weekly rankings of the best high school football teams in Massachusetts, as selected by our panel of staff writers and correspondents. (Updated 9/25)

1. Everett (3-0; Last Week – 1 ) The defending champs started fast and held off a dangerous St. John’s Prep team to remain undefeated early in the season.

2. BC High (3-0; Last Week – 2 ) New quarterback Will Bowen had has best day as a passer during a 30-14 victory for the Eagles down in New Jersey against Hudson Catholic.

3. Central Catholic (3-0; Last Week – 3) Bret Edwards continued to pace an elite Raider offense with 238 combined rushing and passing yards, leading his squad to a 37-20 win over Methuen.

PHOTOS: King Phillip Edges Reading for D1A Crown

Photos by Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

In by far the best game of the day, King Phillip made just enough plays to top Reading in an instant classic at Gillette Stadium.

Here are some of the sights from this back-and-forth-affair, click each photo to enlarge.

King Philip Downs Bridgewater-Raynham, 33-28, Advances to First Super Bowl in School History

King Philip outlasted Bridgewater-Raynham on Friday to advance to the first Super Bowl in program history

By Jason Siegel

WRENTHAM, Mass.- The King Philip Warriors outlasted the Bridgewater-Raynham Trojans, 33-28, in the Division 1A South sectional final game on Friday night in Wrentham.

With the win, King Philip (10-0) advances to the Division 1A state Super Bowl on December 3rd at Gillette Stadium, where it will face Reading, the Division 1A North champion. 

The game was headlined by contrasting styles of offense. The Warriors utilize their physical offensive line to run the ball between the hashmarks.