FOXBORO – King Philip utilized a strong rushing attack and some clutch defensive efforts to claim a 21-10 victory over North Attleboro and win the MIAA Division 3 football state championship.

It was a rematch of an earlier meeting between the Hockomock League programs, with the Warriors having won that matchup 21-7. North Attleboro was the defending Div. 3 champions but King Philip (13-0) was not lacking in big game experience, having reached the Div. 2 title game in the previous three seasons and winning the Div. 2 crown in 2024.

“We are really experienced and had a lot of seniors, so that helped a ton,” Warriors quarterback Zach Gebhard said. “We went down early, but that experience kept us calm, stopped us from yelling at each other and let us just focus on the next play.”

Warriors head coach Bill Lee said that the effort showed the commitment the entire program has and that the winning culture they have built is something he is very proud of.

“In our last practice, hearing what it means to them was amazing,” Lee said. “I am so blessed that I found KP and these kids, I am just so fortunate. They are unbelievable kids.”

The Red Rocketeers started with possession but were forced to punt. King Philip responded by driving into North Attleboro territory. However, a promising drive was foiled when the Red Rocketeers punched the ball away and Sean Cornell was able to pounce on it for a turnover.

On the ensuing drive, quarterback Dylan Brousseau connected with Nathaniel Robin on a 56-yard pass to set the ball up at the 13-yard line. Several plays later, Robin rushed it in from the one-yard line to give North Attleboro the game’s first lead.

North Attleboro’s Ryan Gustafson (2) hauls in a long second quarter pass as King Philip’s Conor McDonald defends. King Philip won the Div. 3 state title with a 21-10 victory. (Jim Davis/Boston Herald)

The Red Rocketeers lost star running back Frankie Strachan early in the first quarter with a foot injury. North Attleboro head coach Mike Strachan said it was a tough loss, but that he was proud of how his other players stepped up.

“He’s been the heart and soul of our team all season,” Strachan said. “But I’m proud of our kids for stepping up. They didn’t quit.”

King Philip responded with a methodical drive that led the Warriors to goal-to-go territory. North Attleboro nearly was able to get a goal-line stop, but a two-yard rush from Gebhard on fourth-and-goal secured the touchdown for KP.

“Just don’t fumble,” Gebhard said of his mentality. “I called my own number and it was a touchdown.”

Brousseau would fire another 56-yard pass, this one to Nate Gustafson, to put the Red Rocketeers back in the red zone. However, a strong defensive stand forced North Attleboro to attempt a 27-yard field goal, which was converted successfully by Nick Torres.

King Philip would respond with another lengthy drive that killed the majority of the remaining time in the second quarter and ended with a two-yard rushing touchdown by Ryan Greenwood.

The Warriors used nearly eight minutes on the opening drive of the second half, but some penalties derailed the drive and allowed the Red Rocketeers to force a turnover on downs.

King Philip’s Liam McGrath, right, has a bead on a third-quarter pass in the end zone but he couldn’t make the catch as North Attleboro’s Nathaniel Robin, left, and Kenny Jean defend. (Jim Davis/Boston Herald)

However, three plays later, a deep pass attempt from Brosseau was intercepted by Patrick Terio, and the Warriors had possession again in North Attleboro territory. A few minutes later, Keigan Canto-Osorio (22 carries, 103 yards and a TD) dashed in to extend the lead to 11.

“Last year I didn’t get into the end zone, and I was sad about that,” Canto-Osorio said. “It was a great feeling to do this with this team.”

The Red Rocketeers were unable to score on the ensuing drive and the Warriors were able to milk the clock and finish the job from there. Tallan King finished with 23 carries for 149 yards while Gebherd had 83 total yards.

King Philip’s Tallen King is caught from behind by North Attleboro’s Milo House in the second quarter during the Div. 3 Super Bowl in Foxboro. (Jim Davis/Boston Herald)

“It’s a great feeling finishing here at Gillette with a win,” Canto-Osorio said. “To get another ring, after winning one my sophomore year, but this one I earned. I didn’t play as much on that one, so I really feel like I earned this one.”