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One last accolade for West Boylston in the final Small Schools Top 20 football poll

rich garven, telegram & gazette
·4 min read
West Boylston’s John Ruas is tackled by St. Bernard’s Damien Jones in the second quarter during the Division 7 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium Friday, December 2, 2022.
West Boylston’s John Ruas is tackled by St. Bernard’s Damien Jones in the second quarter during the Division 7 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium Friday, December 2, 2022.

What a fantastic football season it was for so, so many teams in Central Mass., and with the final pass thrown and the last tackle made, here’s the final T&G small schools poll, one that has been expanded to a Terrific 20.

MORE: Updated Hometeam Central Mass. Football Offensive/Defensive Statistics

MORE: Who finished on top of the final Super 7 large schools high school football poll?

1. West Boylston (11-2)

Previous poll: 3

The Lions beat the best Central (St. Bernard’s), Western (Wahconah) and Eastern Mass. (Amesbury) had to offer with a deep backfield and a punishing defense to claim the Division 7 state title.

MORE: West Boylston upends St. Bernard's to capture Division 7 Super Bowl

South’s Michael Koranteng evades the North defense.
South’s Michael Koranteng evades the North defense.

2. South (9-2)

Previous poll: 1

The Colonels are one of three teams in program history to win nine plus games and earned a Division 4 state tournament berth for the second straight season.

St. Bernard’s Antonio Mancini runs between West Boylston’s Aidan Hamilton and Luke Foley Friday, December 2, 2022.
St. Bernard’s Antonio Mancini runs between West Boylston’s Aidan Hamilton and Luke Foley Friday, December 2, 2022.

3. St. Bernard’s (11-2)

Previous poll: 4

The Bernardians advanced to a state final for the third time in four seasons, defeating the likes of Valley Tech, Northbridge and Uxbridge along the way.

MORE: 'Even though we lost, it was a great experience' for St. Bernard's at Super Bowl

Hudson High School senior Caleb Ruz runs through tackles at Marlborough's Kelleher Field, Nov. 24, 2022.
Hudson High School senior Caleb Ruz runs through tackles at Marlborough's Kelleher Field, Nov. 24, 2022.

4. Hudson (9-2)

Previous poll: 2

The Hawks, who downed Clinton, Worcester Tech, Maynard and Oakmont, are 17-5 the past two seasons with sophomore quarterback Jake Attaway directing the offense.

Oxford's Jordan Deleon turns the corner on KIPP Academy's Osaru Evbenaye.
Oxford's Jordan Deleon turns the corner on KIPP Academy's Osaru Evbenaye.

5. Oxford (10-2)

Previous poll: 7

The Pirates were one of five Central Mass. teams to record double-digit victories while advancing to the Division 8 state semifinals for the second successive season.

Uxbridge quarterback Kellen LaChapelle slips away from St. Bernard's Cody Veneziano.
Uxbridge quarterback Kellen LaChapelle slips away from St. Bernard's Cody Veneziano.

6. Uxbridge (8-3)

Previous poll: 8

The Spartans continued to trend up, advancing to the Division 7 state tournament, where they won a thriller against Lunenburg and were edged by St. Bernard’s.

Blackstone Valley Tech's Adam Fransen is tackled by Cardinal Spellman's Umarei Murray and Matt O'Donnell in the Division 6 State Quarterfinal on Saturday afternoon. .
Blackstone Valley Tech's Adam Fransen is tackled by Cardinal Spellman's Umarei Murray and Matt O'Donnell in the Division 6 State Quarterfinal on Saturday afternoon. .

7. Valley Tech (6-4)

Previous poll: 11

The Beavers stayed the course after not scoring a point while starting 0-3 to advance to the Division 6 state quarterfinals.

Maynard/AMSA junior Mateo Arrellano carries the ball down the field during the Thanksgiving Day game against Wet Boylston at Alumni Field in Maynard, Nov. 24, 2022. The Tigers defeated the Lions, 48-13.
Maynard/AMSA junior Mateo Arrellano carries the ball down the field during the Thanksgiving Day game against Wet Boylston at Alumni Field in Maynard, Nov. 24, 2022. The Tigers defeated the Lions, 48-13.

8. Maynard (8-3)

Previous poll: 6

The Tigers opened the season with a stunning upset of Chelmsford and continued to rack up big wins under sophomore quarterback Dylan Gallo.

Millbury's Lucas Friedman celebrates one of his touchdowns vs. Uxbridge with teammates.
Millbury's Lucas Friedman celebrates one of his touchdowns vs. Uxbridge with teammates.

9. Millbury (10-1)

Previous poll: 5

The Woolies started 9-0 before being ousted in the Division 7 state quarterfinals and finished with a winning record for the fifth straight season.

Clinton QB Matt Phillips hands off to Mark Moran Friday night versus West Boylston.
Clinton QB Matt Phillips hands off to Mark Moran Friday night versus West Boylston.

10. Clinton (6-5)

Previous poll: 12

The Gaels defeated Oakmont, Bay Path and Lunenburg and lost close contests to Hudson and Maynard while making a return trip to the Division 7 state quarterfinals.

Oakmont junior quarterback Sam Curtis.
Oakmont junior quarterback Sam Curtis.

11. Oakmont (5-6)

Previous poll: 15

The Spartans posted thrilling, fourth-quarter comeback wins over Maynard, Sandwich and Luneburg behind junior quarterback Sam Curtis.

Lunenburg's Ben Bartow catches a pass for a first down as Uxbridge's Zachary Oliviera defends.
Lunenburg's Ben Bartow catches a pass for a first down as Uxbridge's Zachary Oliviera defends.

12. Lunenburg (6-5)

Previous poll: 13

The Blue Knights, behind a prolific passing offense orchestrated by sophomore quarterback Alex Figueroa, recorded a signature, overtime win over West Boylston.

Ayer-Shirley senior Cam Marshall.
Ayer-Shirley senior Cam Marshall.

13. Ayer-Shirley (7-3)

Previous poll: 10

The Panthers ripped off six straight wins behind the pass-catch combo of seniors Brian Holmes and Cam Marshall to secure a Division 7 state tournament berth.

Auburn's Alec Cintron, right, and Jimmy McGlynn celebrate a touchdown.
Auburn's Alec Cintron, right, and Jimmy McGlynn celebrate a touchdown.

14. Auburn (7-4)

Previous poll: 9

The Rockets opened the season with a road win over Swampscott and closed it with a home win over Leicester on Thanksgiving.

Worcester Tech's Charles Manu Jr. picks up first down yardage behind the blocking of offensive lineman Nolen Jost.
Worcester Tech's Charles Manu Jr. picks up first down yardage behind the blocking of offensive lineman Nolen Jost.

15. Worcester Tech (6-5)

Previous poll: 14

The Eagles played a stacked regular-season schedule that saw six opponents qualify for postseason play. Record: 6-5. Previous poll: 14.

16. North Middlesex (6-5)

Previous poll: NR

The Patriots won three of their final four games, including an upset of Oakmont, to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2014.

17. Tyngsborough (5-6)

Previous poll: NR

The Tigers were competitive in one-score setbacks to Millbury and Lunenburg before closing the season with three straight victories.

18. Murdock (8-3)

Previous poll: NR

The Blue Devils defeated neighboring rival Narragansett on Thanksgiving for the first time since 2007 and finished .500 or better for the third time in four seasons.

19. Groton-Dunstable (7-4)

Previous poll: NR

The Crusaders won five more games than last season while posting their best record since 2015.

20. Bay Path (8-5)

Previous poll: NR

The Minutemen won six of their final seven games, including the State Vocational Large Schools Super Bowl.

Contact Rich Garven at rgarven@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @RichGarvenTG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: One last accolade for West Boylston in the final Small Schools Top 20 football poll