MANSFIELD — In the 93rd all-time matchup between Foxboro and Mansfield, Foxboro was able to use an explosive fourth quarter to pull away from the Hornets to win 30-17.

The Warriors (10-1) had only trailed in one game thus far in the 2023 season, but the score flipped multiple times in this holiday contest and coach Jack Martinelli said the chance to play with adversity was huge for the team, especially with a Div. 5 Super Bowl matchup against Hanover looming for next week.

“We haven’t really trailed in a game other than King Philip in Week 6,” Martinelli said. “This was another chance for these kids to see that you can’t bury yourself when you get down.”

The Hornets opened with a nearly seven-minute drive that was derailed by penalties. Foxboro senior Brandon Mazenkas-O’Grady then blocked the punt and returned it for a TD, something Martinelli said he has been able to do multiple times in his career.

“There’s a big reward and to me there’s not a huge risk with trying to block a punt,” Mazenkas-O’Grady said. “I have trust in the other guys if they fake or I make a mistake, but I have the ability to block them so why not give it a shot?”

The Hornets got the ball back and drove all the way down the field before James Warren hit a 25-yard kick.

After a punt, Mansfield again sustained a drive and broke through when Brian Butler scored a five-yard rushing touchdown. Mansfield led 10-7 into halftime.

Foxboro start with the ball in the second half, but Hornet captain Anthony Saraiva forced a fumble and Wyatt Bolduc picked it up to increase the lead to 17-7.

The teams traded possessions until Warriors quarterback Mike Marcucella hit Nolan Gordon for a 32-yard touchdown play. On Foxboro’s next possession, Marcucella hit Gordon again, this time for an 87-yard touchdown.

Mansfield had a stunted drive following this and took a safety. After forcing a punt, they drove towards the Warrior end zone but were stopped on fourth down.

On the ensuing Warrior drive, Mazenkas-O’Grady took it 73-yards to the end zone.

“I wasn’t planning to score, obviously,” Mazenkas-O’Grady said. “I just saw things open up and I ran as fast as I could. Once I got the edge and I was ahead of people, I just kept running.”

Martinelli said the lessons learned will help his players long-term.

“If the game is really what life is all about, they’ve proven to me that no matter what obstacle is in their way, they are pretty resilient,” Martinelli said. “This is just a game, but it has so much relevance to the rest of their lives. It’s incredible.”