LYNN — They're keeping score, so wins and losses matter to some extent.
In fact, just getting the opportunity to take part in the Agganis Football All-Star Game is an honor in itself.
And everyone walks away with a story.
Take Jacob Miller, an 18-year-old offensive lineman from Masconomet, whose position meant few people outside of his coaches and family were likely paying attention on that muggy night at Manning Field.
But he did have a key play in scoring North's first touchdown of the game. On a back sweep to the left, the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder got in front of Amesbury lead back Max Sanchez and made a spectacular head-on block to rush for 42 yards. North scored from 3 yards out on the next play, and Sanchez went on to earn MVP honors for the team.
“That sweep has been my favorite play since my first time playing Masco. I was like a kid on Christmas when I heard that play,” Miller said with a big smile.
“It's the most fun thing you can hope for from a lineman,” he added. “You know you're going to be out there, you know you're going to make a block, you know your guy is going to make a big break.”
Stonehill-bound South kicker Dom Scales easily made field goals of 22 and 29 yards in the second quarter and made all three of his extra-point tries to help his team to a 27-16 victory.
As one of eight Tanners named to the championship team, he was surrounded by many familiar faces, but it was meeting the other players and becoming new teammates that really resonated with Scales.
“Right away, we came together as a team. Everyone was so nice and welcoming,” he said.
“I've been playing against the Lynn kids at Classical for the last four years, but because of the Agganis Game,” Scales pauses to find the right words, “I was able to officially introduce them. It was nice to actually meet them.”
Albert Pujols was one of five Salem High School players to reach the Division VI Super Bowl final, and he linked up with his Witches counterpart with ease, catching a two-point conversion pass from longtime quarterback Corey Grimes in the deep left corner of the end zone and then catching a pass that deflected off the hands of a South defender for a 19-yard completion as his team tried to fight back in the final quarter.
“Because of the connection with Salem University, we know what works for both sides, so we're confident going into the game,” said Pujols, who will attend Curry University while majoring in sports management or exercise science.
“But it's really about Harry Agganis' history and meeting new guys. Everybody's so competitive, so you're meeting people you've never met or talked to before. We have a big rivalry with Gloucester and I've never talked to any of them, but (John) Gucciardi and the twins (Jayden and Michael Toppan) are really cool guys. Even with Beverley, who is our biggest rival, I was chatting with BK (Brian Kessel) all practice. He's a really nice guy.”
Peabody's Eli Batista, a speed demon who typically overwhelms defenses on pass receivers and kick returns, made a key block downfield on fellow spring wide receiver (and South MVP) John Naski of Lynn Classical for a scorching 79-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.
St. John's Prep's Matt Callahan converted the two-point conversion for North and teammate Wells Gillette lined up under center without a miss. Bishop Fenwick's Anthony Nichols was involved in several tackles for the winning team. Peabody's Jaden Roman ran for 78 yards and two scores.
Hamilton Wenham's Cooper Sohlman will have a story to tell for years to come. He caught five passes from Grimes for 55 yards, including a 29-yarder down the right sideline that led to a score. Everett receiver Jaden Prophet was a decoy on the play, allowing Sohlman to fill the open lane and gain valuable yards after the catch.
“I had an offer from St. Lawrence University to play basketball, but I decided to go to the University of Connecticut instead. Maybe I'll play flag football,” joked Sohlman, who is studying marketing at the university.
“All week I was telling myself, 'This is my last big performance.' I met a lot of people and got to know everybody, especially the other slot receivers. Me and Albert (Pujols) just clicked right away, we were high-fiving each other.”
“It was a really great experience.”
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