Uxbridge defends its Div. 7 title with 42-20 win over Mashpee
FOXBORO – Four touchdowns from Rogan Devlin and 260 yards from scrimmage helped lead Uxbridge to a 42-20 victory over Mashpee in the MIAA Division 7 football state championship.
The Spartans produced 441 total offensive yards and claimed a 27th consecutive victory. This streak dates back to the 2022 season and the stretch has now featured back-to-back state championships.
Uxbridge head coach Matt Blood said this accomplishment represents the buy-in from the community and the culture that is being built.
“It’s very sweet,” Blood said. “I obviously feel very good but mostly its for the players and coaches that put so much time in and the community that supports us day in and day out.”
The first quarter featured no scoring but each team did have a red zone stop. The second quarter saw Uxbridge finally break through when Devlin connected with Liam Kaferlein for a 34-yard touchdown.
“They were giving us a really good game on defense,” Devlin said. “We were getting a little confused on what we were going to run but we figured it out and capitalized.”
Mashpee quickly responded when quarterback Dominic Matteodo completed a 60-yard pass to Benjamin Squarcia to put the team at first-and-goal and then Squarcia dashed for a nine-yard touchdown on the next play. A two-point conversion gave Mashpee its only lead of the game.
Each team would toss an interception in the ensuing drives but Uxbridge would clinch a halftime lead via an 18-yard connection between Devlin and Thatcher Sweeney.
Mashpee started with possession in the second half but a Tommy Devlin interception gave the Spartans possession and Devlin scrambled for a 38-yard score moments later.
“We always knew what we had with Rogan,” Blood said. “He’s very fast and long and is a cerebral player. I’m proud that Rogan was able to shine and use his tools all year.”
Mashpee would make it 21-14 via another Squarcia run but LaChapelle shined on the ensuing drive and eventually found the end zone.
“Early on they were stopping the inside run,” LaChapelle said. “Once we were able to spread out our wide receivers they got confused and we were able to pound it on them.”
Mashpee would make it 28-20 with a Wills touchdown but LaChapelle re-established the lead on the first offensive play when he broke free for 65 yards.
“Cam does what Cam does,” Blood said. “He is a low, powerful runner and very elusive at that. He usually takes more than one hit or tackle before going down. We’re getting pretty used to that.”
Another Uxbridge interception eventually led to Devlin’s fourth touchdown and that would be the extent of the scoring.
Uxbridge’s Camden LaChapelle, left, fends off Mashpee’s Daniel Alade during the Div. 7 state title game at Gillette Stadium. (Staff Photo/Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)
“That’s all the hard work we put in during the offseason,” Devlin said. “We are just able to outlast teams and that’s exactly what happened today.”
While the Spartans will lose several players to graduation, including both Devlins and Kaferlein, LaChapelle will headline the returners and he said the goal will remain the same next season.
“(This title) made me want to get another ring,” LaChapelle said. “It kept the motivation going.”