For the opening game of the 2024 season, the Walpole High School varsity football team fell short against King Philip Regional High School, losing 42-14.
The WHS football team had an exceptional season last year as they led their team to the Super Bowl, something they have not done since 2008. Although the team fell short against Milton, it fueled high expectations for the upcoming 2024 season. WHS students and faculty anticipate if the team will be able to replicate their impressive last season. Unfortunately, the team was not able to meet these high standards with their home opener game.
King Philip started the game off strong, only eight minutes into the first quarter, as KP junior Keigan Canto-Osorio ran for a 24 yard touchdown. The first quarter ended with a score of 7-0 as Walpole got off to a shaky start.
In the second quarter, Canto-Osorio came out again with a nine yard rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 13-0. Walpole could not get anything moving with the ball back. Next possession, the strong KP run game continued. KP junior Ryan Greenwood found a gap in the defense and took the ball to the three yard line, only stopped from scoring by Walpole junior Daryl Niclas. KP senior, Aiden Astorino, finished the drive with a three yard rushing touchdown. KP successfully converted on a two point attempt after the touchdown, bringing the score to 21-0. At the end of the second quarter, Walpole rallied with a strong run from junior Cole Brennan.
Deep inside KPs territory with the clock ticking down, Walpole had a chance to turn the ties of the game. Fourth down attempt, senior Noah Mackenzie threw to senior Will McGrath but the ball was tipped and fell incomplete, ending the first half.
KP started the second half strong with a 22 yard rushing touchdown by Greenwood. Walpole’s next possession was unsuccessful and things kept getting worse as their strong punt from Walpole sophomore Mateo Filipi was returned for an 88 yard touchdown by KP senior Brandon Nicastro. KP kept piling it on with a rushing touchdown by junior Tallan King, resulting in a score of 42-0. Walpole was able to generate some offense with a big run by sophomore Mason Falcone, bringing them within striking distance. Mackenzie was able to finish the drive with a five yard passing touchdown to McGrath, scoring Walpole their first points of the game.
The Walpole defense stopped KP on the first drive of the fourth quarter. With the ball back at mid field, a 49 yard touchdown heave from freshman Blake Pileski to junior Griffin McCarthy fired up the crowd. However, Walpole was unable to make a miraculous comeback and the game ended 42-14.
Despite not securing a victory, the team used the loss as a valuable opportunity to pinpoint their errors and focus on improving for the remainder of the season.
“Key factors that led to the loss were not adjusting on defense and we needed to tackle better. On offense we need to be more consistent.” senior captain Dylan Burgess said. “I think we need to go out there and play like a state championship caliber team. We have to have the mentality that we are the best and have the will to succeed.”
Overall, the team was not expecting to go down the way they did based on their performances in practices and confidence within their teams abilities.
“We felt angry and confused [about the loss].” Burgess said. At first I viewed it as negative, but after watching film and discussing with coaches and other players, it was seen more as a learning opportunity.”
While the WHS football team faced a setback very early on in the season to KP, the game served as a critical growth opportunity for all players, setting the stage for them to hopefully reclaim the title they created for themselves last season.
