RADIO: Remembering Tantasqua Lacrosse Coach John Pedace

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

On a somber episode of "The Local Sports Lunchbox" on WPKZ, I was joined by the Telegram & Gazette's Carl Setterlund to honor the memory of former Tantasqua lacrosse coach John Pedace, who tragically passed away Wednesday after a long battle with cancer.

Though we only got to know him as reporters, we'll give you our favorite memories of coach Pedace, and talk a little bit about how he impacted the Tantasqua and local sports community.

Also on the show, the T&G's Chris Kyne calls in to discuss all the big high school happenings this weekend, including the Central Mass finals for baseball, softball and lacrosse, plus St. John's making a run at the Super 8.

All that, and more, in this week's episode below.

Postgame Blog: Grafton Sends a Message Against Tantasqua

Grafton senior attackmen Hunter Fraser (4) and Chase Kapuscienski (25).

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

After splitting its season series with Tantasqua, and sharing a league title last year, Grafton left no doubt that it was the team to beat in Mid-Mass, running past Tantasqua 17-1 Thursday.

"Last year Tantasqua bought hats that said, 'Mid-Mass Champions,' and we shared the title, so that kind of ticked us off," Grafton captain Chase Kapuscienski said. "So we came in here, and we wanted to pound them into the ground, and that's what we did."

I could give you a complete game story, but all you need to know is that Grafton (4-0, 3-0 Mid-Mass) was firing on all cylinders, and played like a team on a mission. The Indians were loose during pregame and at halftime, but once the whistle blew, Grafton played with extreme focus, dominating Tantasqua (0-2, 0-2 Mid-Mass) in all phases, en route to a blowout home win.

Here are a few quick stats, and then we'll delve a little deeper.

CMass Lax Preview: The 2016 Tantasqua Warriors

Tantasqua junior attackman Mike Frio.

By Joe Parello (@HerewegoJoe)

Last season, Tantasqua shocked Central Mass, splitting the Mid-Mass title with perennial power Grafton, and winning a program-record 16 games.

In fact, the 16-3 Warriors were the hottest team in Central Mass heading into last year's state tournament, winning 14 games in a row before bowing out in districts to Algonquin. Prior to the Algonquin game, the Warriors never surrendered double-digit goals to an opponent, and defeated eight different tournament teams.

Clearly, it was a break-out year, but even more will be expected of this year's group, which returns a ton of experience and talent up front, but also some pieces to build another great defense. Here's what to expect from the Warriors in 2016.