DANVERS – Shawsheen Tech (11-0) is heading back to the Division 6 state title after a 22-14 overtime win against North Reading (9-2).

The story of the game was Shawsheen’s senior captain, running back/linebacker Jake Banda. He finished with 266 yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns. To top it off, he intercepted a North Reading pass on their first play of their overtime possession to clinch the win and send his team back to Gillette Stadium as they look to repeat as state champions.

“It’s great to get back, but all props to my O and D line, they led us in this game and this season,” Banda said. “Nothing’s on me, it’s all on them. We work hard, lift hard, condition hard, and it’s all paid off.”

The lone score of the first half was when North Reading senior quarterback Jason Berry threw a bullet screen to sophomore receiver Colin Brady, and he took it 13 yards for a touchdown. This capped off a 99-yard drive that took 10 plays.

Shawsheen marched 56 yards on their opening drive of the second half, with Banda picking up 54 of those yards and ending the possession with a 10-yard touchdown run just under four minutes into the third.

After a Hornet three-and-out, it was Banda putting the team on his back again by getting all of the team’s 80 yards on the drive, including a 42-yard sprint to find the end zone on a sweep.

North Reading went 91 yards in 11 plays, with Berry finding senior running back Nick Torra for a nine-yard touchdown pass on a pretty play design where he went on a delayed wheel route and was the only one on that side of the field to tie the game at 14 with 9:03 left in the fourth. Another key play on the drive was a “Philly Special” reminiscent of the Eagles in Super Bowl 52, gaining 25 yards plus another 15 on a late hit.

Shawsheen had a long drive, but it was derailed by two untimely illegal formation penalties and resulted in a turnover on downs on the North Reading 25. The Hornets went three and out, giving the ball to the Rams on their own 40. Banda combined for 42 rushing yards on the next two plays. QB Adam Caruso rushed for 11 yards on the next two plays to set up his kicker for a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation. However, the 29-yard kick was blocked to send the game into overtime.

Overtime rules are similar to the college format, with both teams getting a possession starting at the 10-yard line. It took Banda three attempts to find the end zone, with the score being from one yard away, as well as the two-point conversion to make it 22-14. On the first play of North Reading’s ensuing drive, Banda secured the game-winning interception.

“42 makes a lot of big plays, and him not taking any credit shows his leadership,” said head coach Al Costabile. “This year means more than others. We lost three starters on the line, including one of the best in the state (Sid Tildsley), a new QB, it’s just a testament to the players and coaches we have here.”

The Rams will take on the winner of Foxboro and Archbishop Williams next week, looking to defend their crown. If Foxboro wins, it would be a rematch of the 2024 Div. 6 final.