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For Duxbury, the 2022 season was viewed by the Dragons as an opportunity to reload as they chased the ultimate form of redemption.
The Dragons have used the heartbreaking loss to Scituate in last year’s Super Bowl as motivation. The Dragons ripped through 11 opponents to earn a chance at perfection against Grafton Friday night.
“We’re definitely motivated,” said Duxbury quarterback Matt Festa. “It’s kind of been the motivating factor for us all season. It’s always been in the back of our heads, every game we play. We’re definitely motivated by last year.”
Festa has been superb this year, completing 152 of 227 pass attempts for 2,681 yards and 33 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Chris Walsh has hauled in 47 receptions for 1,071 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Dragons have averaged 41.45 points per game so far this season.
“I think the seniors are definitely motivated to win,” said Duxbury coach Matt Landolfi. “Is it a result from last year? I think there’s a piece of that for sure. But overall, I think we’ve tried to treat it as a new season. So I think these kids are just focused on the task at hand.”
Grafton (11-1) will be chasing its first Super Bowl crown in a decade. Despite constantly shifting between divisions over the years, one thing has remained consistent for the Gators: Chris McMahon’s group has continued to find new ways to compete, regardless of the competition.
Grafton has embarked on two trips to a Super Bowl in the last decade, with its last title coming in 2012 at the Div. 4 Central Mass. final. This recent stretch has included four separate journeys to the state semifinals for the program as well.
The Gators suffered their lone loss of the year at their annual Thanksgiving Day tilt with Millbury this past week, when they rested their starters during a 37-13 finish.
Senior Casey Jordan has accumulated 1,102 yards in the passing game with 14 touchdowns to his credit, 13 of which have been hauled by Liam Donagher (919 yards receiving). Junior Tyson Thomas has added 938 yards rushing for the Gators.
“I think we are balanced offensively and have done a nice job on defense limiting teams,” McMahon said. “We have multiple starters back on both sides of the ball from last year’s team and they learned a lot from the playoff run. Overall, we have an experienced group of players. Last year’s team was a great group and they did a remarkable job of showing our players this year what it takes on and off the field to be successful.”
DIV. 4 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. at Gillette
Duxbury vs. Grafton
DUXBURY DRAGONS (11-0)
HEAD COACH: Matt Landolfi
DUXBURY 21, Hanover 7
Duxbury 44, SCITUATE 22
Duxbury 34, FRANKLIN 21
Duxbury 52, PLYMOUTH NORTH 19
DUXBURY 48, Silver Lake 7
DUXBURY 35, Hingham 9
Duxbury 42, WHITMAN-HANSON. 22
DUXBURY 50, Newburyport 16
DUXBURY 62, Middleboro 41
Duxbury 42, Holliston 14
Duxbury 26, MARSHFIELD 7
HOME TEAMS IN CAPS
GRAFTON GATORS (11-1)
HEAD COACH: Chris McMahon
Grafton 27, NASHOBA 7
GRAFTON 35, Masconomet 21
GRAFTON 25, South 6
Grafton 13, MARLBORO 7
Grafton 42, DOHERTY 7
GRAFTON 13, Shrewsbury 12
GRAFTON 42, Tantasqua 7
Grafton 33, SHEPHERD HILL 7
GRAFTON 31, Falmouth 0
GRAFTON 31, Marlboro 14
Grafton 21, Foxboro 12
MILLBURY 37, Grafton 13
HOME TEAM IN CAPS
SUPER BOWL HISTORY
Duxbury is heading to its 10th Super Bowl, all since 1997. The Dragons have an overall record of 5-4 with the last victory coming in 2016 where they defeat Shrewsbury, 40-7. Bobby Maimaron threw for four touchdowns and rushed for a fifth, while Ryan Reagan hauled in eight catches and 155 yards and a pair of scores.
Grafton is making its eight championship game appearance, having won four of those seven contests. The last win came in 2012 when Douglas Oevermann ran for 115 yards and a pair of scores in a 21-0 win over Northbridge.
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