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FOXBORO — Ever since practices first began this past summer, Wakefield’s football program has embraced the role of the underdog. Sure, the Warriors had talented athletes scattered across their roster, but they never truly felt like they were receiving the recognition they deserved.
After the events of Saturday, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone doubting their capabilities. Senior captain Nathan Delgado finished with 18 carries for 54 yards and a pair of touchdowns, as No. 6 Wakefield captured its first state championship since 1999 with an epic 34-28 victory over top-seeded Milton in the Div. 3 Super Bowl.
“Everyone doubted us,” Delgado said afterward. “Our team is barely 40 people, and we just outworked and out-wanted it, more than anybody. We came through, and we made history today.”
Most were expecting a showdown for this one, and the game delivered. The two teams engaged in a scoreless battle during the first quarter, before things opened up in the second frame.
Delgado would scamper for a 2-yard touchdown with 1:08 to play in the first half, as Wakefield (12-0) took a 13-7 lead into intermission.
Once the third quarter began, it was time for Delgado’s brother Christian to shine. The senior raced to the edge, then darted up the sideline for a 60-yard touchdown rush to provide Wakefield a 19-7 lead with 6:55 to play in the stanza.
The senior was only thinking of his father, and honoring his memory as he sprinted toward the end zone.
“I do this for my Dad,” said Christian Delgado. “He passed away, and everything is for him. So I worked hard, got to where I wanted to be. It was this moment that I wanted.”
Every time it appeared Milton (10-1) was about to gain momentum with a quick score, Wakefield would answer with a long, drawn out drive. Nathan Delgado would punch in a 1-yard touchdown rush to make it a 34-20 game with 4:10 left in regulation, pinning the Wildcats against the proverbial wall.
While Milton marched downfield and capped its next drive with a 2-yard touchdown rush by Jack Finnegan to trim it to a 34-28 game, the Wildcats simply couldn’t pull off a miracle. Finnegan’s ensuing onside kick rolled short of the allotted 10 yards needed for a recovery, and Wakefield was then able to bleed the clock out.
In addition to rushing for a pair of touchdowns, senior captain Javin Willis finished 8-for-12 passing with 186 yards to his credit. Christian Delgado racked up 119 yards to go with his touchdown scamper.
Finnegan carried Milton all night, finishing with 131 yards on the ground and a trio of touchdowns.
Wakefield will graduate 13 seniors from its roster this spring.
When asked what he’d remember the most about this group, Wakefield coach John Rafferty could only smile.
“They always opened my eyes,” Rafferty said. “They always did. I thought so often, particularly during this playoff run is that with our backs against the wall, that we were the underdog … there’s not that many (of us). We all file off the bus, whatever other team is out there, (they) go. That’s all they got, that’s all they needed.”
WAKEFIELD 34, MILTON 28
Wakefield (12-0) 0 13 14 7 – 34
Milton (10-1) 0 7 6 15 – 28
WA – Javin Willis 26 run (Mark Letchford kick)
MI – Jack Finnegan 4 run (Finnegan kick)
WA – Nathan Delgado 2 run (kick failed)
WA – Christian Delgado 60 run (kick failed)
MI – Owen McHugh 13 run (kick failed)
WA – Willis 9 run (N. Delgado pass from Willis)
MI – Finnegan 1 run (Finnegan kick)
WA – N. Delgado 1 run (Letchford kick)
MI – Finnegan 2 run (KJ Beckett pass from Liam McLoughlin)
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