RECAP & PHOTOS: Nashoba edges Shepherd Hill for First Playoff Win Since 2011

By Andrew Bowman (@andrew_bowman5)

Ed. Note- Continue below for even more photos for the Chieftains and Rams. Note that you can click any image to enlarge and launch a slideshow. 

Bolton, Mass. - The host Nashoba Chieftains started their 2018 playoffs with a bang Tuesday night, defeating the Shepherd Hill Rams 13-7 for the program’s first tournament win since 2011.

In the first quarter, it took senior stand-out Bryce Chaput, who had 63 goals in the regular season, only 26 seconds to score the opening goal for the Chieftains. His goal was countered, however, by goals from Shepherd Hill’s Anthony Detarando and Tristan Pietz.

It was all Nashoba after that, as sophomore middie Sam Vanasse scored to tie the game, and then junior attackman Rory Boots nipped the top corner as the clock expired. After a quarter, the Chieftains led 3-2.

Postgame Blog: Shrewsbury Rolls Past Shepherd Hill in D2 Central Semis

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

Shrewsbury, Mass. - CMass playoff football has ARRIVED.

Friday night's match-up featured two strong teams in the Shepherd Hill Rams and the Shrewsbury Colonials, but the result would be lopsided, and the defending champs would prove why they deserve to be back in the championship.

Colonials take it, 33-7.

Let's break it down.

St. John's (Shrewsbury) Breaks the Scoreboard Against Shepherd Hill

By John McGuirk (@patsfan1313)

SHREWSBURY - Let's put to bed this notion that the top spot in Division 3 Central is up for grabs.

It is time to face facts folks. There is St. John's (Shrewsbury), and then everybody else. Period!

In a season that has been solely dominated by the Pioneers thus far, Shepherd Hill, along with its three-game winning streak, became the latest tragedy in a long line of formidable opponents expected to put up a fight.

Instead, Saturday's contest turned into a laugher early and often. The Pioneers wasted no time building a commanding 42-point in the first half lead, then proceeded to blow the Rams out 64-24 at Pioneer Field.

Postgame Blog: Shepherd Hill Stops Wachusett at the Goal Line

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

Tonight we saw a track meet between the hosting Shepherd Hill Rams and the visiting Wachusett Mountaineers. These two teams have legitimate bids for being among the best in CMass football. Tonight these young men put on a spectacular show for everyone at the game. Shepherd Hill would ultimately come from behind to win a nail-biter, 41-40.

Let's break it down.

PHOTO GALLERY: Shepherd Hill vs Algonquin Football

Photos by Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

NORTHBOROUGH - We will have a full postgame blog up shortly on Shepherd Hill's 61-36 win at Algonquin, but for now, just enjoy a few of these shots from the game. Note that you can click any image to enlarge it and launch a slideshow.

Fagan Does it All for Shepherd Hill Softball in Upset of Nashoba

Shepherd Hill's Cayley Fagan excelled both in the circle as a pitcher, and in the batter's box for the Rams.

By John McGuirk (@patsfan1313)


BOLTON - Three errors in one inning, which resulted in three runs by the opposition had many guessing if Shepherd Hill was in over its head during Saturday's Central Mass Division 1 quarterfinal against Nashoba Regional.

Coming in as the underdog, few gave the sixth-seeded Rams much of a shot against the third-seeded Chieftains. Adding to that belief was the fact that, only a week ago, Nashoba blanked Shepherd Hill in its regular-season finale.

But the postseason can be a different animal. Playing with a nothing to lose attitude, the Rams continued to force the issue throughout by staying close. As the game wore on, Shepherd Hill's confidence level continued to rise. Inside its dugout, there was a growing belief that they could get the job done.

Indeed. Cayley Fagan's solo home run in the top of the sixth inning, off of Nashoba starting pitcher Taylor Colvin, was the difference as Shepherd Hill prevailed 4-3.

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.

Algonquin Clinches Mid-Wach A in Win Over Shepherd Hill

The Tomahawks will now head to the state tournament riding a six-game winning streak.

By Jason Siegel (@jasiegel1821)

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. - Entering the fourth quarter of Algonquin’s regular season finale against Mid-Wach A rival Shepherd Hill, it looked like the Tomahawks and their fans would have to wait for the result of the Wachusett-Worcester North game to see if the T-Hawks won an outright Mid-Wach A regular season title.

However, Algonquin (14-6, 7-1 Mid-Wach A), bounced back from a 50-43 deficit at the start of the fourth period to out score Shepherd Hill (5-14, 1-7 Mid-Wach A) 23-8 over the final 8 minutes. The T-Hawks would go on to pick up a 66-58 victory on Wednesday night at Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, clinching the Midland-Wachusett A regular season title in the process.

Recruiting Update: UConn Visits Kevin Mensah

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

With less than three weeks until National Signing Day, things are starting to heat up for Shepherd Hill running back Kevin Mensah, who was visited in school today by UConn tight ends coach Corey Edsall, the son of recently re-hired Husky coach Randy Edsall.

The elder Edsall, who originally coached the Huskies from 1998 to 2010, and again became UConn's head coach last month, followed up with Mensah in late December to let him know UConn is still interested. The head coach and Mensah scheduled an official visit to Storrs for the weekend of January 28th, and the younger Edsall made the trip to Dudley to chat with Mensah today.

RADIO: The K-Zone Local Sports Lunch Box

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

For those of you unaware, today was my first solo show for WPKZ, and it was a fun maiden voyage. We welcomed in the Telegram & Gazette's Chris Kyne, who gave us everything we needed to know about Central Mass hockey, and chatted with Anthony Dandini and James Purcell of the Leominster Blue Devils basketball team.


Dandini, a talented football prospect, also updated us on his college football recruitment.

We also recapped Shepherd Hill offensive lineman Alec Lindstrom's signing with Boston College, and looked at a few local football prospects who will be taking their games to the next level next season. All that, plus our Unsung Hero of the Week, Studs n' Duds, and much more on this week's show.

Blog: Alec Lindstrom Works and Eats His Way to Boston College

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

As Alec Lindstrom began thanking all his friends, family, coaches and mentors before signing his National Letter of Intent to play college football for Boston College, you couldn't help but sense a theme.

The All-State offensive lineman thanked seemingly everyone in attendance for cooking for him, or for taking him out to eat. As much as Lindstrom is known for his tireless work ethic and fierce competitive nature on the field and in the weight room, it may have been his appetite that turned him into a Division I football player.

Leominster Rallies to Top Shepherd Hill in OT

By Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7)

LEOMINSTER, Mass. – The friendly confines of Doyle Field have seen many, many great games over the years, but this result might have been the sweetest for supporters of the home Blue Devils. 

Visiting Shepherd Hill (2-4) had Leominster (4-2) and Duke-bound wide receiver Noah Gray pinned down through three quarters. The Rams built a 13-0 lead on the strength of their ground game, and looked poised to seal the game with a “four-minute drill.” But, uncharacteristically, Shepherd Hill fumbled to give the Blue Devils a chance.

That’s all Noah Gray (6 receptions, 92 yards, TD) and sophomore quarterback Pat Gallagher (16-of-25, 281 passing yards, 2 TDs, rushing TD) needed.

Friday Five-Pack: 5 HS Football Games to Watch in MA

The inside track to the Mid-Wach A title and a playoff spot will be on the line when Leominster hosts undefeated Wachusett in its home opener.

By John Sarianides (@xnojoe)

Ed. Note- Our Massachusetts football guru John Sarianides is back with five games to watch during Week 4 of MA high school football. Here are the biggest games of the week.

King Philip at Mansfield

The Kelley-Rex Division of the Hockomock League is up for grabs on Friday night as the King Philip Warriors (3-0) visit the Mansfield Hornets (2-1).

Mansfield has turned things around after a 44-3 loss at Calvert Hall to start the season. The Hornets beat Braintree 34-10 in Week 2, then beat Attleboro 38-7 last week. Mansfield coach Mike Redding is back to running his familiar two-back Wing-T offense, after opening the season in the spread.

For the Warriors, it’s all about their stellar defense and running game. If KP can force some three-and-outs early and establish their ground game, they should be in good shape.

Weather will be a factor in this one and, with both teams being physical, expect a low scoring game. 

Postgame Blog: Wachusett Wins a Classic as Kevin Mensah Debuts for Shepherd Hill

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

Friday night’s SuiteSports Game of the Week was a thriller right down to the end. A game filled with dramatic plays, lots of penalties, and a second half downpour, the Rams and Mountaineers sure gave us one to remember.

But, in the end, it was Wachusett (3-0, 1-0 Mid-Wach A) sealing the deal with a 28-21 victory over Shepherd Hill (0-3, 0-2 Mid-Wach A). Let's take a look back at this thrilling Mountaineer win.

SuiteSports Game of the Week: Shepherd Hill at Wachusett

Shepherd Hill quarterback Ryan Wong-Li may need to hit some shots downfield against a tough Wachusett front-seven.

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

Ed. Note- Since the writing of this piece, a Worcester judge has granted an injunction that will allow Kevin Mensah to play tonight. Since Connor already picked Shepherd Hill to win, I won't make him re-write this :)

Another week, another dynamic matchup for the SuiteSports Game of the Week!

This week, 0-2 Shepherd Hill is fighting to keep playoff hopes alive against a 2-0 Wachusett team that defeated its first two opponents a combined 77-19.

Hate to call this a must-win for the Rams, but an 0-3 hole may be too much to overcome, especially in their stacked D2 Central alignment.

Where They Stand

The Mountaineers have two blowout wins under their belt. Despite playing without stud senior linebacker Connor Dubzinski, the defense for Wachusett has definitely showed up to play. They took a quarter to get their traction last week, but recovered smoothly.

Postgame Blog: St. John's Pulls Away from Shepherd Hill

It was a big night for St. John's juniors Steve Bucciaglia (10) and Hunter Gorgas (7).

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

It was a tale of two halves in Dudley Friday night, as visiting St. John's scored 30 unanswered points in the game's final 17 minutes to top Shepherd Hill 44-20.

The Pioneers ran only 20 offensive plays in the first half, but junior quarterback Steve Bucciaglia got things going just before intermission. From the final three minutes of the first half on, Bucciaglia threw for three touchdowns, ran for another, and was able to step in and deliver his throws with confidence.

Blog: It's Time for the MIAA (Not Holy Name) to Let Kevin Mensah Play

Photo courtesy of ESPN Boston

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

If you follow football in Central Mass at all, you know that All-State running back Kevin Mensah is in a bit of a bind.

After deciding to return to Massachusetts, after briefly trying out Cheshire Academy in Connecticut, Mensah opted to school choice into Shepherd Hill in Dudley, rather than return to Holy Name, the private school in Worcester where he had rushed for over 2,500 yards the last two seasons.

That's when things got complicated.

You see, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletics Association (MIAA) has rules about these sorts of things, and by MIAA rules, any student that transfers from one MIAA member school to another cannot participate in the sports they played at the previous school for at least a year.

For Mensah, a senior, that would mean his high school football career would be over. But, luckily, the MIAA allows players to avoid this one-year suspension, if they can get their previous school (in this case, Holy Name) to sign a transfer waver.

And that's where we're stuck because, heading into Week 2 of the season, Holy Name has still not signed that transfer waver, making Mensah ineligible, and prompting Shepherd Hill coach Chris Lindstrom to refrain from coaching on game nights, in solidarity with his new running back.

On the outside, Holy Name looks like it is displaying some grotesquely sour grapes. After all, Mensah did plenty for the Nap program while he was there, helping them come within a single play of a Division 4 Central championship last season. Furthermore, plenty of these transfer wavers go through every year in the state of Massachusetts (and pretty much every other state), and it is usually a formality for the former school to give its blessing, and allow the player to move on and play elsewhere.

But not so fast, because Holy Name's hands are kind of tied here.