November 20, 2023 By Kevin Riordan
Entering a new league and facing unfamiliar opponents there undoubtedly was some anxiety back in August. But one thing was certain, this 7th grade team would not be deterred in their pursuit of the Super Bowl title. As it happens, four Hingham youth football program teams won their Super Bowls this weekend. In a testament to the players enduring tenacity, they practiced late into the November darkness under the light of only car headlights to ensure they would be ready for a battle that Natick would surely give them. Having outscored their opponents 274-20 and going undefeated at 10-0 these 7th graders deserve to be called “Champions”
Natick brought the fight on the first series,driving for two first downs when Cam Forger knocked the ball loose from the running back and recovered the fumble. (QB) Hudson Garrity got things started with multiple runs but the drive was halted as Hingham had to punt. Natick began moving the ball when Braden Huber and Cam Forger decked the running back forcing another fumble that was recovered by Shamus Devine in Natick territory. (QB) Garrity threw a pass to Devine for an impressive 25 yard gain. Just as the Raiders were on the move, a couple of questionable penalties stalled the drive. Natick began a lengthy drive when intense pressure from Denny Costello and Shamus Devine forced the Natick QB to hastily throw a backwards lateral that was alertly recovered by John Peterson and Hingham was back on offense. (QB) Garrity followed his blockers Will Berkeley and Duncan Wilder for a first down and goal at the eight-yard line. Then linemen Frank Cavagnaro, Will Berkeley and Daniel Lovendale split the defenders as Garrity ran for the touchdown and a 6-0 lead. With just minutes remaining in the first half Natick pushed the ball upfield as Emmet McCarthy, Jack Hart and Preston Kirley tackled the running back. Johnny Heller and Andy Gerlach made a TD saving tackle setting up a 3rd and goal where Natick ultimately punched it in for the touchdown. Evan Tomasello shot the gap and blocked the extra point and we were all knotted up at 6-6 at halftime.
In the second half Hingham came out aggressive on offense with Frank Cavagnaro, Teddy Lovendale and Braden Huber creating a big hole for (RB) Evan Tomasello to scamper in for a 23 yard touchdown to take the lead at 12-6. Having a resilient defense comes through at times like this late in the season as Denny Costello continuously forced the QB out of the pocket while Andy Gerlach and Mason Aframe made tackles for losses. Evan Tomasello broke up a critical pass to force a Natick punt that ultimately pinned Hingham at their own one-yard line. With its back to the goal line (QB) Garrity ran outside blocks from Wilder and Will Taylor for a first down. Now in the 4th quarter Hingham controlled the ball on the ground with an eight play drive where Hudson Garrity deftly avoided defenders for consecutive first downs and ran for his second touchdown and an imposing 18-6 lead with fewer than seven minutes remaining.
Defense wins championships and that’s just what the Raiders demonstrated in the 4th quarter as Braden Huber pressured the QB allowing Jack Hart and Garrity to break up consecutive passes. But Natick mounted a strong drive completing a 4th down pass for a first down to the 25 yard line. Having a monstrous game Denny Costello sacked the Natick QB for a major loss and any hopes for a comeback were dashed on the next play as Johnny Heller intercepted a pass that was the exclamation point on the game. When the clock hit triple zeroes the Raiders were Super Bowl champions.
All year coaches Glenn Forger, Michael Garrity, Glenn Huber, Shane Nolan, Mike Taylor, Mitchell Syp, John Peterson and Jake Heller did an outstanding job developing this Super Bowl championship team.