Pires' Interception Seals Deal For Stoughton Football Team

With the way the season went, it was only fitting that the Stoughton High football team's 10-2 season ended with the defense coming up with the big play.
The Black Knights' "Bend Not Break" defense got an interception from senior Jovani Pires to preserve a 28-20 win.
With the final minutes ticking off the clock, Canton's Joe Bires gave the Bulldogs a chance to possibly tie the game when he recovered a fumble at his team's 47-yard line.
From there, quarterback Brian Hagan connected twice with junior receiver Derrick Harris to get the Bulldogs down to the Stoughton 13-yard line.
"If they throw the ball to 5 (Harris), they are going to get some points," said Burke. "We knew thse they were going to throw ball to him. I only said that about 500,000 times."
Hagan then tried to throw the ball into the end zone, but Pires stepped in front of the Canton receiver for the pick.
"I knew they were going to throw to No. 5," said the Stoughton free safety. "I just caught the ball and took off. I was close to breaking it."
Out of Pires' interceptions, the one against the Bulldogs was the easy one. Against Foxborough, he made a finger tip one and he had a driving catch in the 14-12 loss to Plymouth South.
"He has had a great  year," said Burke. "I was wishing he would take a knee as you don't want to take any chances. He wanted to take it take all the way. That's a competitor."
Stoughton developed a knack for making big defensive plays, especially during the playoffs. In the first playoff game, the Black Knights stopped Hingham on the one-inch line as the game ended and they also forced the Oliver Ames into a field goal situation at the end of the game before winning the Division 3 Southwest title.
"We bend, but we don't break," said Stoughton senior nose tackle Frank Girolamo. "The defense tightens up."

Who's Going to be the Favorite in 2014?

The Stoughton High football team will be losing a talented senior class, which have to be replaced by the 2014 team.
The good news for the Black Knights is that they have developed into the top of program that reloads, rather than rebuilds.
On the other side of the field, Canton will be one of the early season favorites for the Davenport Division title.
Harris should be one of the top players in the league for the Bulldogs at wide-receiver, while Hagan and running back Sterlin Garvin are returning.
"I don't want to see them next year," said Burke.
After the first meeting of the year, the Stoughton head coach predicted that the Bulldogs would be a much better team. After starting at 0-7, Canton won three straight before the Thanksgiving Day loss, which left them at 3-8 on the season.
One of places the Black Knights should be strong at is quarterback. Sophomore Jake Gibb, who missed the Thanksgiving Day with an injury, was outstanding in the playoffs, while junior Alex Accavati stepped in for the Thanksgiving Day game and played well.
Fullback-linebacker Joe Girolamo should be one of the top players in the league, while Brian Crimmins will be an all-Hock candidate at linebacker and tight-end.

QUICK KICKS

State Representative William Galvin, who represents Canton and Stoughton won the 50-50 raffle. It was a late arriving crowd, but during the game, both sides filled up and they were treated to an exciting second half.

Burke praised the Bulldogs players and their coaching staff. "Hat's off to Canton," he said. "Good guys and great coaches."

As part of his speech at the Stoughton High Pep Rally Wednesday, Burke announced that all of his players stayed eligible when the grades were announced.

Canton senior running-back Matt Bagley drew the honor of wearing No. 27 in honor of the late Bulldog standout Ricky Shannon.

It was the second year in a row that the winning team scored 28 in victory, Canton won the 2012 game, 28-20. Stoughton is leading the holiday series, 43-40-4.