WOBURN – Cohasset senior Mike Wildfire delivered a virtuoso performance during the Division 7 semifinals, leading the Skippers past Northbridge, 35-15, at Woburn High School to advance to the Super Bowl.
Wildfire rushed for a touchdown and threw for two more. He also made an impact on defense at cornerback and safety, shutting down a fourth-ranked Northbridge team that averaged 35 points a game and scored a combined 90 points over the past two weeks.
“Credit to our O-line and D-line – they won us this game,” said Wildfire. “We got pushed around in the playoffs our freshmen and sophomore years, so we knew we needed to be the ones in the weight room to make sure that didn’t happen again.”
After finishing a game under .500 last year, top-ranked Cohasset (9-2) is in the midst of a dream season. The secret to their success has been a physical style of play, which is on display every single snap by the offensive and defensive line.
“That’s where games are won, especially when teams are so evenly matched,” said Cohasset coach Pete Afanasiw. “If you can physically move the other team around, you have an advantage. Our guys rose to the occasion. My unofficial motto for this team is NSLD – never skip leg day. Our guys have put in the work. Now we have our biggest test yet with Amesbury.”
Cohasset was first to put points on the board when Wildfire connected with senior Nolan Flaherty on fourth-and-goal from the 10 at the 6:42 mark of the opening quarter. After Jack Roach kicked the extra point, the Skippers held a 7-0 advantage.
The lead doubled when Wildfire rushed 10 yards into the end zone with 10:24 remaining in the second quarter. After forcing a quick three-and-out series, Wildfire then completed a one-play drive with a 60-yard missile down the sideline to senior receiver Hendrix Gustafson, who burned his defender in man-to-man coverage. That made the score 21-0 in Cohasset’s favor with 9:08 to play in the half.
The third quarter was a clock-management masterclass from Cohasset. After marching down the field, one run at a time, to seize a 28-0 lead after Gus Greene powered his way into the end zone with a three-yard rush, the ensuing kickoff ricocheted off a Northbridge player and was recovered by Cohasset junior Jeff Lombardi. Northbridge did not run a play until four seconds remained in the third.
“We haven’t been satisfied all year,” said senior captain JT MacDonald, an anchor on the offensive and defensive line. “We worked hard in the regular season, we were the one seed, we’ve won all three playoff games. But we’re still not satisfied. We’ve got more to do.”
The loss snapped a seven-game win streak for Northbridge (9-2), though it never diminished its spirit on the field. After a 40-yard completion down the sideline to senior receiver Kevin DiMuzio that put the Rams in the red zone, senior quarterback Joel Lachapelle finally broke the goal line with 9:01 to play in the fourth.
Greene answered for Cohasset with his second rushing touchdown, finding the open lane and exploding 49 yards to extend the lead to 35-7 with 6:14 to play. That marked Greene’s 27th TD, making him the all-time scoring record leader in Cohasset history.
“It means the absolute world to me to break this record with my teammates,” said Greene. “The O-line carries me, and it means even more because I grew up with these guys. Having the whole town (supportive), it’s the greatest feeling.”
Northbridge injected some excitement when backup QB Mason Mawn completed a picturesque 36-yard touchdown pass to DiMuzio with 3:11 to play. After a two-point conversion and a successful onside kick, Northbridge appeared to have a new life until Cohasset’s defense stifled Lachapelle on the ensuing drive.
“Cohasset is an outstanding team,” said Northbridge coach Ken Lachapelle, who is coaching his 50th and final season. “Give kudos to their offensive and defensive lines – they controlled the game. Their running backs made it happen. Give them a lot of credit.”
Cohasset will now square off against undefeated Amesbury (11-0) in the D7 Super Bowl.
“It’s my dream to play at Gillette with these guys,” said Wildfire. “We have a stronger connection than any private school could. It’s that hometown feeling – we all grew up in this small town together.”
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