CANTON — For the second time in three seasons, Blue Hills captured the MVADA Small School Vocational Bowl thanks to a great running attack and a strong defensive effort. It is their fourth overall title since 2013.

Even after going down a touchdown early, the three-seeded Warriors rushed for over 350 yards and forced five turnovers to take down No. 4 Tri-County, 44-7, at home Wednesday night.

“The kids battled back and stayed focused,” coach Ed Madden said about Blue Hills’ ability to come right back after a slow start. “They battled out of the hole and it was very good.”

The running back trio of senior captain Caiden Montas, Matt Begin and Aidan Landers combined for 47 carries, 357 yards and five scores.

“Having linemen that like to block and backs that like to run,” said Madden about being able to have three rushers over 1,000 yards. “They are a machine. … It’s a team unit. I’m the luckiest guy in the world. All of us coaches – to be here is great.”

Landers scored all three from 10 or more yards out while also recovering two fumbles in the first half and notching a sack in the third quarter. His first fumble recovery setup a drive that was capped by a one-yard rushing score for junior Brayden Mahoney as Blue Hills (8-3) led 8-7 after a Montas two-point rush early in the second quarter.

His second fumble recovery came with 1:33 left in the second as the Warriors put together a seven-play drive to go up 22-7 at the half after a Begin rushing score from one yard out.

“We had some cold practices this week,” said Landers about the preparations on defense. “We knew we had to get through it though. We all played great defensively and offensively. We have guys playing both sides of the ball, so we know it isn’t easy.”

To open the third, Blue Hills needed just five plays to make it 30-7 after a Landers’ 13-yard rushing score. Landers notched his third on the next Warriors’ drive as he rushed it in from 10 yards out.

For Tri-County (7-5), its lone score came on the opening kickoff as senior Anthony Lum took it 75 yards to the house as Blue Hills held the Cougars to just 60 yards from scrimmage. Junior Nick Taglieri and senior captain Jadimilson Cardoso also added picks for the Warriors on defense in the fourth quarter.

“They have been working really hard,” Madden said about the defensive effort. “We’ve been devoting more practice time this past month on defense than offense to truly get them communicating and clicking. It was just great for them to play their best game tonight.”