Needham High’s undefeated football team faces its toughest test yet Friday night in the semifinals of the MIAA Division 1 playoffs: top-seeded St. John’s Prep.
It’s the Rockets’ second-straight trip to the semis after losing 20-17 last year to eventual champ Xaverian Brothers High School.
“We are very excited to be back in the Final Four,” Needham coach Doug Kopcso told the Observer. “Our players have worked diligently to return to this stage and we are eager to have the opportunity to play against a talented and well-coached St. John’s Prep team.”
No. 4 seed Needham (10-0), advanced to the semifinals Nov. 15 with a 31-7 victory over fifth-seed Central Catholic at Memorial Field. The Rockets spotted the Raiders a 7-0 lead before going ahead on a second-quarter touchdown by senior back Aidan Williams and a 39-yard field goal by Alex Rufo. Williams ran for two more TDs in the second half, giving him 20 in the season and eight the past two weeks. Ben Schreiber returned an interception for the final score while Needham’s stout defense stymied the Raiders.
St. John’s Prep (9-1) rubbed out Methuen 44-7 to set up Friday’s matchup. The Eagles’ only loss this season was to Division 2’s top seed, Catholic Memorial. This is the sixth straight season St. John’s Prep has reached the Division 1 semifinals. It has won three championships in that time.
Kopcso said his team has had a great week of preparations for St. John’s, practicing with energy and enthusiasm.
“We will play together and play hard for all four quarters,” he promised. “We will start fast and finish strong.”
Friday night’s kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Burlington High School. Tickets must be purchased online here.
Friday’s winner goes to the Division 1 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium to face the winner of Saturday afternoon’s game between Xaverian and Boston College High. Super Bowl dates and times have not been announced, but the games will be spread over three days from Dec. 4-6.
And win or lose Friday, the Rockets will host the traditional Thanksgiving Day clash with Wellesley (a Division 2 semifinalist, by the way) on Nov. 28.
One more NHS sports note: Needham’s girls’ cross-country team finished 5th in Saturday’s state meet. NHS junior Greta Hammer led all runners with a 5k time of 18:02.48.
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