NORTHBRIDGE – History was made in Northbridge’s dominant 39-0 victory over Oxford in the first round of the MIAA Division 7 football tournament.

The victory was the 400th of Rams head coach Ken LaChapelle’s career. He becomes the first head coach in MIAA and New England history to reach 400 victories and said accomplishing this at the school he had devoted his life to has been amazing.

“Obviously it is very special,” LaChapelle said. “I have tried not to think about it over the last two or three years, but it is very special. The thing I’m most proud of is that it was all here at Northbridge, a small public high school in Central Mass. That’s what I am most proud of.”

The Rams started with possession but were quickly forced to punt. After forcing an Oxford punt on the ensuing drive, the Northbridge offense quickly got to work.

Quarterback Joel LaChapelle, the grandson of Ken, led a drive that ended with a 10-yard quarterback keeper to give the game its first score. That would be all of the offense in the opening quarter, but the second was full of strong play from the Rams.

Another lengthy drive ended with a 5-yard pass from Joel LaChapelle to Caden Mastroianni, and the junior quarterback would eventually extend the lead to 20-0.

“We like to spread the field sideline to sideline, goal line to goal line,” Ken LaChapelle said. “We are a passing team, and if the points come, they come. The whole idea is to keep the chains moving, that’s how we do it offensively.”

This would be the extent of the scoring in the opening half, and an Oxford three-and-out opened the second half. After beginning the next possession at the Rams 48, LaChapelle hit wide receiver David Scichilone with a deep pass that resulted in a 52-yard touchdown.

“The first time I threw that play, I overthrew him a ton,” Joel LaChapelle said. “The second time, I knew he would be wide open, so I softened it up and let him take care of the rest.”

Mason Mawn would further extend the lead with a 36-yard rush and Tanner Haden would further extend it with a four-yard rush in the final quarter.

As he reflected on his role in his grandfather’s historical victory, Joel LaChapelle said he will cherish the memory forever.

“I’ve been on the sidelines, I’ve been a water boy for 10, 11 years watching the wins,” LaChapelle said. “I was there for the 324th, now I am here for the 400th. It’s an honor to be here and is something I will hold for the rest of my life.”

The elder LaChapelle, who has served as Northbridge’s head coach since 1976, said the greatest achievement has been seeing the continued passion for the program that his family and former players have shown.

“Everything about these last 49 years has been special,” Ken LaChapelle said. “Coaching my kids, coaching my grandkids, having players who have played for me come back to coach, it must mean we have done something right here. I’m pretty proud of that.”

Northbridge’s Ken LaChapelle became the first football coach in state history to win 400 games Friday night when his team defeated Oxford 39-0 in the opening round of the Division 7 state tournament.

Below is a list of the top 10 winningest coaches in state history.

1. Ken LaChapelle 400-136-6 (1976-present, Northbridge)

2. John DiBiaso 369-83-1 (1982-present, St. Patrick’s, Weston, Everett, Catholic Memorial)

3. Armond Colombo 316-101-5 (1960-2002, Archbishop Williams, Brockton)

4. Jim Kelliher 313-209-8 (1974-2023, Abington)

5. Jack Martinelli 312-142-5 (1982-present, Foxboro)

6. Bill Broderick 303-68-42 (1908-1942, 1949, Rindge Tech, Haverhill, Salem)

7. Tom Lopez 303-126-5 (1978-2018, Lincoln-Sudbury)

8. Mike Redding 297-101-3 (1988-present, Mansfield)

9. Vito Capizzo 293-140-8 (1964-2008, Nantucket)

10. Ron St. George 275-141-5 (1980-2020, East Bridgewater, BC High, Cardinal Spellman)

Northbridge High head coach Ken LaChapelle hugs his grandson, Northbridge quarterback Joel LaChapelle, at the end of a Div. 7 football playoff game against Oxford. (Photo by Mark Stockwell/Boston Herald)