Needham Advances to Division I Super Bowl

Take a deep breath varsity football fans, because the Rockets have officially won a playoff game and are headed to Gillette Stadium on Saturday to face Boston College High School in the MIAA Division I Super Bowl.

“It feels great,” Needham head coach Dave Duffy said after his team’s victory against New Bedford on Tuesday. “We’ve never won a playoff game, [and] it’s always hung over our heads a little bit, but especially moving up to Division I. I knew we were going to be good this year. I’m glad the kids worked hard and got to accomplish something no other team has ever accomplished.”

The Rockets should be proud, especially since they beat-up a quality New Bedford squad on Tuesday evening under the lights at Weymouth High School by a score of 42-14. A lot of credit for this particular win belongs to the Needham defense.

Needham held New Bedford’s offense in check all game and only surrendered one touchdown late in the fourth quarter when junior quarterback Mike Rapoza raced past the Rockets' front seven for a 15-yard touchdown.

“[Our] defense played fantastic. [The defensive] backs got a couple coverage sacks, so it was a [good all around effort],” said Needham senior defensive lineman Jamie Arnao.

“[Similar to] Duxbury, they brought a lot of pressure, and our line just couldn’t deal with it,” said a frustrated Rapoza. “It’s just tough.”

Sophomore Ryan Charter played one of his best games in a Rockets uniform, as he completed 10 of 12 passes for 183 yards, and rushed for two scores. He also connected with senior co-captain prior to intermission on a 13-yard shovel pass, which marked his only touchdown strike of the game.  

“He was near perfect,” said Needham’s , who assisted Charter throughout the entire game. “He played a heck of a game. He’s been unbelievable, making all the passes, making the right reads and doing everything that a quarterback should do.”   

The Rockets will regroup on Wednesday to get ready for their toughest task of the season—Boston College High School.

“That’s going to be a monumental task,” Duffy said. “I know they’re huge, they’re much bigger than we are, and I know they’re well coached, and I know they’re fast. They’re probably better than us, bigger than us in every phase of the game. But we’ve got a lot of pride, and we’re going to have to come out fighting and do the best we can.”

The coach concluded saying, “We’re not scared of anybody.”

Needham will return to the gridiron for the final time this season on Saturday, Dec. 3 with a 6:00 p.m. kick-off.    

Saturday's game is part of a line-up of MIAA Super Bowl bouts. Admission to the Gillette Stadium/MIAA Tournament experience is $15 for adults and $12 for students, seniors and children, according to Needham Athletic Director Micah Hauben. The fee includes all-day parking, admission to all six games and a game day discount of $3 at The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon.

The day's game schedule includes:

• 9:00 a.m. Concord-Carlisle vs. Oliver Ames (Division 3)
• 11:00 a.m. St. John’s (Shrewsbury) vs. Leominster (CMass Division 1)
• 1:30 p.m. Longmeadow vs. Springfield Central (WMass Division 1)
• 3:30 p.m. Tewksbury vs. Duxbury (Division 2)
• 6:00 p.m. BC High vs. Needham (Division 1)
• 8:00 p.m. Cardinal Spellman vs. Mashpee (Division 4)