Millis-Hopedale (10-3) defeated Maynard (12-1) 30-18 in the Division 4A State Championship game at Worcester State University. Millis-Hopedale captured their 1st State title since 1999.
Maynard scored the first touchdown of the game, Ryan MacCormack (SR) broke through for a 71 yard touchdown run. The extra point attempt was no good. Millis-Hopedale responded with 6:12 left as QB Bryce Latosek (JR) found a wide open Paul Adams who scored the 57 yard touchdown. Andrew Brooks added the extra point to make it 7-6. The Millis-Hopedale defense forced a turnover on downs on the following Maynard drive and responded with a 5 play drive that resulted in a 58 yard touchdown reception by Ray Hilaire (JR), the successful Andrew Brooks (JR) extra point made it a 14-6 game.
In the 2nd quarter Maynard responded as RB Ryan MacCormack found open space up the left side for a 57 yard touchdown run. The 2 point conversion attempt failed keeping the game in Millis-Hopedale favor 14-12 with 4:06 left in the half. Millis-Hopedale did not take long to respond as just over 2 minutes later, Brian Espanet (JR) took over the game hauling in a “GRONK” like 37 yard reception between 2 defenders and followed it up a few plays later with a 13 yard rainbow touchdown catch between 2 defenders. A bad snap on the extra point attempt kept the score 20-12 Millis-Hopedale and it would remain that into the halftime locker room.
The 2nd half was taken over by the 2 teams stingy defenses but Millis-Hopedale found the endzone again in the 3rd quarter. Dominic Zonfrelli hauled in a 44 yard touchdown with 2:36 to play in the 3rd. The successful Andrew Brooks extra point made it a 27-12 game.
In the 4th quarter, Maynard struck for a 24 yard touchdown as captain Eric Kiley (SR) hauled in the Thomas Smith (SO) pass. Andrew Brooks added a 20 yard field goal for Millis-Hopedale to make it a 30-18 game with 4:56 left and that would be it for scoring.
Four different receivers found the endzone for Millis-Hopedale. The Mohawks produced over 350 yards of offense. Brian Espanet had five 1st half receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, Paul Adams had 3 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown, Ray Hilaire had the lone 58 yard touchdown reception and Dominic Zonfrelli had the 44 yard touchdown reception in the 3rd quarter. QB Bryce Latosek threw for nearly 300 yards and went 16-21.
Millis-Hopedale closes out the season as the Division 4A State Champions with a record of 10 and 3 overall. Maynard finishes 12 and 1 overall.
@MillisMohawks @HopedaleSports Football takes down #Maynard 30-18 to claim division 4A state title!!! pic.twitter.com/T2d8JUgrC9
— Tom Nappi (@TheRealTomNappi) December 3, 2016
Congrats Millis/Hopedale Mohawk Football on your Super Bowl Win over Maynard!!! From the Holliston Panthers 'Red Sea' fans! @MillisMohawks pic.twitter.com/Wtr8cknj33
— KenDunn (@KenDunn7) December 3, 2016
It’s sad that the tvl athletic directors didn’t have the best interest in the student athletes from these two towns in mind when they voted to dissolve this co-op