The Mashpee (MA) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against Clinton (MA) on Saturday, November 23, at 4:00 PM. This matchup is part of the 2024 MIAA Football State Championship – Division 7 tournament.
What: Massachusetts High School Football
Who: Mashpee (MA) vs Clinton (MA)
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Where: Mansfield High School
Bracket: 2024 MIAA Football State Championship – Division 7
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Clinton vs. Mashpee: A Season Recap and Comparison
As the 2024-2025 high school football season wraps up, two teams stand out in their impressive performances: Clinton and Mashpee. Both teams finished with identical records of 8-2 overall, yet their playing styles and statistical profiles reveal some interesting differences and similarities. Let’s take a closer look at their season stats, performances, and how they match up.
Season Record Overview
Both Clinton and Mashpee posted strong 8-2 records, finishing at the top of their respective divisions. They each went 3-1 in league play and 3-1 in non-league games. Their performance on the road and at home was also nearly identical, with both teams dominating their home fields (6-0) but showing vulnerability in away games (2-2). This consistency across the board shows the strength and resilience of both teams, particularly in their ability to perform under pressure in league play and non-league games.
Offensive and Defensive Stats
Team Scoring Averages:
- Clinton averaged 33.6 points per game, slightly edging out Mashpee’s 33.0 points per game. This close scoring margin highlights how well both teams were able to put up points in a variety of ways, often staying within a few scores of each other in their games.
Scoring Breakdown:
- Clinton’s most prolific quarter was the second, with an average of 13.3 points, while Mashpee excelled in the third quarter with 15.0 points. This contrast in scoring patterns may indicate Clinton’s strength in the first half of games, while Mashpee made strong second-half adjustments.
Rushing and Passing:
- Clinton significantly outpaced Mashpee in rushing yards, averaging 240.6 yards per game compared to Mashpee’s 24.2 yards per game. This stark difference points to Clinton’s ground game dominance, powered by running back Taetum Cassella, who led the team with an impressive 84.1 rushing yards per game.
- When it came to passing, both teams showed relatively modest figures. Clinton averaged 80.0 passing yards per game, while Mashpee’s passing game was slightly lower at 67.9 yards per game. Clinton’s top passer, Colin Schmidt, contributed 68.2 passing yards per game, highlighting his role as a dual-threat quarterback.
Receiving and Total Yardage:
- Clinton’s offense boasted a solid receiving game, with Ethan Frisch averaging 25.7 receiving yards per game. In comparison, Mashpee had Vincent Pinnetti, who led their team with 55.0 receiving yards per game.
- Total yardage per game also favored Clinton with 320.6 yards, significantly higher than Mashpee’s 92.1 yards. Clinton’s ability to move the ball consistently in both the air and on the ground was a key to their success.
Defensive Play
While Mashpee’s defensive stats weren’t explicitly broken down, Clinton’s defense was led by Taetum Cassella, who averaged 7.3 tackles per game. This was an important factor in their ability to stifle opposing offenses and maintain control of the ball throughout the season.
Team Leaders
- Clinton:
- Taetum Cassella led in rushing with 84.1 yards per game and contributed heavily in tackles (7.3 per game).
- Colin Schmidt played a pivotal role in the passing game with 68.2 yards per game, while also being a leader in total yards (93.6).
- Mashpee:
- Daniel Alade led Mashpee in rushing, though his average of 33.7 yards per game was far below Clinton’s Cassella.
- Dominic Matteodo played a key role in both passing and total yards for Mashpee, with averages of 115.4 passing yards and 143.6 total yards per game.
Common Opponents
Both teams had a common opponent in Cohasset, and both teams came out victorious. Clinton defeated Cohasset 28-7 on November 15, 2024, while Mashpee triumphed 28-6 on October 25, 2024. These victories against the same opponent indicate that both teams were able to perform effectively against similar competition.
Conclusion
Clinton and Mashpee both had remarkable seasons, with an overall 8-2 record that reflects strong play on both sides of the ball. Clinton’s high-powered rushing attack and dominant total yardage give them a slight edge in offensive production, while Mashpee showed resilience with solid passing and total yards per game. Ultimately, both teams will look to carry this momentum into their playoff performances, where they each hold a 2-0 record, showcasing their readiness for the postseason challenges ahead. As they prepare for the future, Clinton and Mashpee stand as formidable teams that will undoubtedly remain contenders in their divisions.