The Rebels have not won a state championship since the 2008 season. Since then, the Rebels have not won a playoff game.
However, things may change this year for Walpole.
Through three games this season, the 3-0 Rebels who are ranked #11 by ESPNBoston (their highest ranking in recent years) have not allowed any opponents to get into the double digits. Cumulatively, they have outscored their opponents by a whopping 109-11. In their second game, they shut out Needham by winning 33-0 on September 20. They also beat Foxboro 31-8 on September 12 and Dedham by a score of 45-3 on September 27.
Leading the Rebels in his first year at quarterback, junior Tyler Berkland was efficient in his debut against Foxboro, throwing 10-for-15 for 109 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He continued his productive ways against Needham, going 12-for-19 for 157 yards. Berkland has kept his completion rate over 60 percent each game this year, and has not thrown an interception since the opener.
“He’s played really well,” said Lavanchy. “He stayed calm all game, even under pressure.”
Along with Berkland at quarterback, junior Steve Cuqua has been the focal point for the first three games, gaining over 100 yards in each of his first two games, and scoring four touchdowns through the two games.
In addition to Berkland and Cuqua, senior Captain Jack Lavanchy has been irreplaceable in all three phases of the game. In one game, he caught five passes for 120 yards and three scores, kicked four extra points and a field goal on offense, and snagged an errant Foxboro pass for an interception on defense. A lynchpin for the Rebels in all phases, Lavanchy has been a versatile leader who rarely misses a snap.
While the offense played well in their first three games, the defense has been the true star. In their opener, the Rebels not only held the Foxboro offense to just nine first downs, but they also intercepted three passes, with Lavanchy, senior Andrew Papirio and junior Amire Loftis each with one interception.
In the second game against Needham, Walpole’s defense continued their dominant run, shutting the Rockets out completely — not letting them past the Rebels’ 40 yard line during the entire game. Papirio also had another interception, along with a punt return for a touchdown.
The defense shut the Warriors out for almost the entirety of the game, with the Warriors’ best opportunity in the first three quarters coming from a missed 42-yard field goal as time expired in the half.
If Coach Greener’s squad can continue to dominate their opposition, they have a shot at that elusive state title, and Greener’s first playoff win since taking the helm in 2009.
