VIDEO: Maynard Edges Littleton in CMass Classic

Video by Matt Siegel (@SportVideoMA)

Maynard, Mass. - In one of the most exciting games of the high school football weekend, Maynard held off Littleton, 22-20, in the premier small school match up of the season in Central Mass.

The game will have major implications come playoff time, but for now, check out video highlights of the game, captured by our Matt Siegel, below.

Middleboro Runs Away from Littleton to Capture D6 State Championship

Middleboro captured the D6 state title, and celebrated late assistant coach and teacher Scott Nelson with his old high school number 57 on a special Sachem jersey.

By John McGuirk (@patsfan1313)

FOXBOROUGH - There was nothing about Littleton that proved a conundrum to Middleboro. The Sachems took the Tigers' best punches early, but dished a considerable amount more during Saturday's 43-20 victory in the MIAA Division 6 state championship at Gillette Stadium.

Middleboro (10-3) earned its first state title since 1983, and fourth in school history as the Sachems put on an offensive clinic at the expense of Littleton (11-1).

PHOTO GALLERY: Middleboro vs Littleton at Gillette

Photos by Ethan Winter (@EWints)

FOXBOROUGH - We will have a full recap of Middleboro's D6 title game win over Littleton up a little bit later, but first check out these pictures by our Ethan Winter from the early game at Gillette.

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

Previewing the MIAA State Football Championships: Divisions 5 & 6

Dennis-Yarmouth's explosive offense will try to keep pace with West Springfield and stud running back Vaunell Hill.

By Tom Joyce (@TomJoyceSports)

We've already looked at Friday night's games at Gillette (Divisions 2 and 3), and previewed the D4 and D7 title games yesterday. Now, our Tom Joyce looks at two of the more intriguing matchups featuring teams from the Central and Western part of the state.

Littleton Opens Refurbished Field With Shutout of Oakmont

Littleton opened up the new-look Alumni Field Friday night.

By John McGuirk (@Patsfan1313)

LITTLETON - Mike Lynn's demeanor never allows him to get too high or too low when it comes to directing his football team. But on Friday night, the 16-year head coach and athletic director of the Littleton Tigers could not help but feel a bit giddy on two fronts.

First was the grand opening of refurbished Alumni Field, following a 4 million dollar renovation project, which provided a brand new multi-purpose turf field, ample seating and plenty of room for parking. Second was watching his squad do a number on an improved Oakmont Regional team with a dominant 22-0 triumph.

Right now, everything is A-OK in Lynn's world.

"It may sound dramatic, but this field is changing our lives here," said Lynn. "All of our team sports have been out here for at least one practice if not two. The exuberance you see from the kids is overwhelming. We are so grateful for the town to allocate their resources to provide this facility for our coaches, and most importantly, for our kids."

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: The End of 2017

It's hard to deny the significance of what coach Alan Rotatori (right) and his Grafton Indians have done the last three years, but is Grafton our top team in CMass this season?

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

The state championships have come and gone, and another season of Central Mass lacrosse is in the books. It was a year of surprises, memorable runs and, unfortunately, tragedy, with the passing of former Tantasqua coach John Pedace.

While it was a bitter sweet season for many in the region, several teams did make their presence known at the state level, some for the very first time. So, without further ado, here are our final Central Mass Lax Power Rankings of 2017. Be on the lookout for our annual CMass All-Stars and Award Winners later this week.

Littleton Runs Away from Groton-Dunstable in D3 C/E Semifinals

By Ryan Bowman (@_ryanbowman_)

CONCORD - Looking to avenge an early season loss, the Littleton Tigers came out in the D3 C/E semifinals firing on all cylinders.

The Tigers easily took care of the Groton-Dunstable Crusaders, winning 13-4 for a spot in the sectional final. It would be hard to point to one specific area Littleton bested the Crusaders today, since the Tigers were pretty much better in all phases.

Because of Danny Angell and Anthony Rausa, among others, the Crusader defense simply could not keep up with the wide array of offense from the Tigers.

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: Week 7

Grafton junior goalie Matt Nicalek

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Like I said last week, it's too late in the year for lengthy introductions, but this week does bring a new No. 1 team in our Power Rankings, and the league races across Central Mass are starting to stabilize.

Continue below for this week's Top 10.

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: Week 6

Jared Collari (1) and Griffin Shoemaker (3) are just two of Littleton's many weapons.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It's too late in the season for lengthy introductions, so I'll just say that this week brings a matchup of the top two teams in our Power Rankings.

Check out our latest Top 10 below as a huge week for CMass lax begins.

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: Week 5

Nipmuc is the last remaining unbeaten in Central Mass after a wild week.  Photo courtesy of @NipmucHSLax

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Just when you think you've got the region figured out… Wow, did last week give us a lot to think about, and there was a great deal of movement in our rankings as a result.

Let's not waste any time. Continue below for this week's Top 10.

Littleton Overcomes Slow Start to Shut Out Shepherd Hill

Littleton's offense took a while to get going, but freshman goalie Brandon Witherell and senior pole Kyle Magnuson kept the Tigers afloat all night.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

DUDLEY - After a scoreless first quarter, Littleton found its footing against upstart Shepherd Hill, shutting out the Rams 7-0 under the lights in Dudley.

"We were thinking that it would be nice to get some offensive possessions and some shots on net," Littleton coach Mike Blanchard said with a chuckle. "We weren't moving the ball well on offense in the beginning of the game. (Shepherd Hill) plays great defense, and you've got to pass the ball, and pass it a lot to make that defense move. We weren't doing that early."

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: Week 2

Tantasqua's senior attack trio of Anthony Law, Ben Beaudry and Mike Frio is off to a hot start.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

As you might expect, there was tremendous movement from Week 1 to Week 2 in our Power Rankings. Only top-ranked St. John's is ranked in the same spot as last week, as a slew of upsets and close calls shook up our Top-10.

Check out this week's rankings below.

Central Mass Lax Power Rankings: The Start of 2017

Grafton is coming off back-to-back district titles and state championship game appearances, but with plenty of talent gone to graduation, the Indians will need to find new stars in 2017.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Ah, it's that time of year.

The weather is going back and forth from beautiful to horrid, and I now get to pretend I know how the Central Mass lacrosse season will go.

This year is especially tricky as, outside of St. John's, it seems like every team is losing multiple star players. But, at the same time, many of the best players in the region are back, and nearly all of them will have to carry even bigger loads in 2017.

I'd love to cop out and wait a few weeks to do my first Power Rankings, but that's way too easy. So, with many teams across the region set to open their schedules today, here are my first Power Rankings of the year, which I'm sure will look silly in a few weeks.

RADIO: Previewing the 2017 Central Mass Lacrosse Season

Jack Donahue (3) and Drew Kozub (6) should give St. John's one of the most explosive attacks in the state.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

I decided to do something a little different this year, and use my radio show on WPKZ to break down the upcoming Central Mass lacrosse season.

Listen in below for a league-by-league breakdown of CMass lax, with key teams and players to watch. Excuse my occasionally terrible name pronunciations, I promise to get better as the year goes on.

Note that the lacrosse preview takes place across the show's first and third segments, with special guest Sean Sweeney of the Sentinel & Enterprise popping in for the second segment to break down the end of winter sports, and preview baseball/softball.

2017 Central Mass Lacrosse Preseason All-Stars

Westboro attackman Trevor McNamara will look to build off a monster junior campaign.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It may not always feel like it, but spring has sprung here in the Heart of the Commonwealth, and that means it's time to start talking Central Mass lacrosse.

Though SuiteSports will now be covering the entire state for both lacrosse and baseball (we're expanding!), you know I've got you covered with the best CMass lax coverage you're gonna get anywhere. Be on the lookout for team/league previews, an updated recruiting database, and our first Power Rankings, all coming soon.

Without further ado, here are our preseason CMass All-Stars.

A Big National Signing Day at Littleton

From left to right: Top- Griffin Shoemaker, St. Anselm lacrosse commit; Eric Rauker, Stonehill football commit; Will Buraczynski, Merrimack soccer commit.
Bottom- Shannon Riordan, Drexel soccer commit; Kayla Nixon, Assumption soccer commit.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Littleton has come to be known as one of the best small-school athletic departments in the state and, despite a student body of less than 500 kids, the Tigers annually compete for titles in numerous sports, most recently capturing a state football championship in 2013.

That success has carried over to the recruiting trail, as five Tigers signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the college level Wednesday. Three Littleton soccer players signed- Boys left back Will Buraczynski (Merrimack), and girls forward Kayla Nixon (Assumption) and defender Shannon Riordan (Drexel).

The Tigers also saw linebacker Eric Rauker sign with Stonehill for football, and attackman Griffin Shoemaker pledge to play lacrosse for St. Anselm. It was a busy day, but each of the Littleton stars seems ready for the next step.

West Boylston Outlasts Littleton 44-36 in Overtime

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans) 

The Lions and Tigers graced us with one of the most exciting high school games of the season Saturday evening. Late lead changes and a heart stopping fourth quarter brought us to overtime, where West Boylston would ultimately claim victory by a final of 44-36.

Central Mass Football Week 1 Wrap: Action On and Off the Field

Doherty junior Mike Oppong is facing a one-game suspension after kneeling during the national anthem on Friday night.
UPDATE: The suspension has been overturned.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Ed. Note- Doherty's Mike Oppong has announced on Twitter that he is no longer suspended. We have left the full, original text of our blog post below.

I don't think I can remember a more eventful opening week, on and off the field, for Central Mass high school football.

Not only did we get thrilling shootouts, upsets and statement wins, the region also saw controversy emerge at a pair of schools over issues bigger than football.

Let's take a look back at the weekend that was.

Algonquin, Shrewsbury and Wachusett Shake Up D2 Central

We knew that Leominster, St. John's and Shepherd Hill would contend in D2 Central, but how deep would the division be?

Turns out, pretty darn deep.

With Algonquin gutting out a win over reigning Division 2 state champion Nashoba, Shrewsbury edging Shepherd Hill and Wachusett blowing out a good Tantasqua team, there isn't an easy win to be found in Central MA's largest division.

Central Mass Lax District Semifinals Preview

St. John's goalie Matt Mongeau and pole Sam Correnti (4) will be key for the Pioneers against top-seeded Minnechaug.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Seven Central Mass lacrosse teams remain alive across three districts and two divisions, but nearly all of them head into this week's semifinals as underdogs.

Let's take a look at each team left standing, and what they must do to take the next step.

Division 2 Central/West

The only D2 bracket to feature Central Mass teams still has two CMass squads alive, but each will enter the semifinals as underdogs against Western Mass powers.

Postgame Blog & Highlights: Littleton Clamps Down on Tyngsboro for Playoff Win

Littleton junior Griffin Shoemaker (3) paced the Tigers with five goals and six ground balls against Tyngsboro.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Littleton and Tyngsboro split their regular season series, and shared the Mid-Wach B crown, so there was obviously a score to be settled in Wednesday's Division 3 Central/East tournament matchup.

In the end, Littleton's (17-2) defense, led by goalie Eric Rauker, played perhaps its best game of the season, clamping down on Tyngsboro's (15-5) explosive offense to win 12-5.

Here are a few of my thoughts from today's game, along with highlights of just a few of Rauker's 12 saves, and a pair of Littleton goals.