DUXBURY — Duxbury and Marshfield have Super Bowl games slated for Gillette Stadium, but the Patriot League titans were playing for the Keenan Division title prize Thursday at chilly Chandler Memorial Field.

The Rams came in with a powerful offense, but it was running back Alex Barlow who made the most damage for the Dragons in their dramatic 23-21 win. Matt Landolfi’s Duxbury (10-1) squad won the Keenan title. Marshfield (9-3) was coming off a huge upset over two-time defending Super Bowl champion Catholic Memorial.

Barlow was tremendous, as he bulled his way to a pair of 63-yard touchdown runs along with a five-yard jaunt. He finished with a monstrous 292 total yards. After accepting the offensive MVP award, he gave credit to the Dragons’ defense.

“They said Marshfield’s the best offense in the state,” said Barlow. “We must be the best defense in the state.”

Duxbury wasted no time at all running out to a 7-0 advantage. Zac Falls went high to pull in a 15-yard pass from quarterback Finn Carley and Barlow followed it with a 63-yard sprint down the right side for a score.

A Tor Maas 11-yard scoring pass to Nic Cupples capped an 80-yard drive to tie it at 7-7. Maas proceeded to hit Reid Bergamesca on consecutive pass on the Rams’ next possession, giving Marshfield a first down at the 9-yard line. Jake Brilliant then ran it in on the next play for a 14-7 lead with 6:41 left in the half. But the tenacious Dragons came right back to tie it with a 5-yard burst up the middle by Barlow for a 14-14 score at the half.

“He’s had an unbelievable year and as the playoffs progressed he’s getting better and better,” said Landolfi of his star running back. “He has that never-ending fight in him. You just don’t see many kids with that but he does. We’re just going to ride him until the end.”

An interception by Giovanni Joseph gave Marshfield a first down at the Duxbury 19 to start the third and Bergamesca had a great run after a catch to go in from 23 yards for a 21-14 Ram advantage.
But Barlow wasn’t finished as he broke through the line of scrimmage and sprinted home for his second 63-yard touchdown.

The extra point attempt was wide and Duxbury still trailed 21-20. The Dragons were hardly deterred as Gavin Hammond kicked the game-winning field goal from 25 yards out for the final score, 23-21.

Landolfi was happy the Dragons came out of the game healthy leading up to their Super Bowl showdown against a very familiar Scituate team.

“We know them pretty well,” he said. “They know us pretty well and it’s going to be an absolute battle. The main goal for myself and coach (Chris) Arouca was to come out and play a competitive game and come out healthy. It looks like both teams came out healthy and I’m really happy about that. Now we can go enjoy our Thanksgiving and put our best foot forward for next week both towns so that’s good news.”