The Division 6 state championship between Hudson and defending champion Fairhaven Wednesday evening (8 p.m. at Gillette) features two strong offenses and durable defenses.
“We kind of showed what hard work can do,” said Hudson head coach Zac Attaway. “It paid off this year. We finally took that next step, and we get an opportunity to be state champions.”
Quarterback Jake Attaway can make plays on the ground and through the air. He tallied his 146th career all-purpose touchdown on Thanksgiving, breaking a state record.
“He’s very dynamic, and it allows for us to be a dual threat offense as far as him utilizing his legs and his arm,” his coach said. “Everything he’s accomplished this year and throughout his career, he’ll be the first one to tell you he credits his offensive line, his running backs, his receivers that put him in a position to make plays like that.”
Nolan Yates (561 yards, six touchdowns) and Savion Newton-Clark (305 yards, eight touchdowns) are the Hawks’ top two receivers.
Hudson has an active running back trio of junior Treson Meuse (478 yards, seven touchdowns), senior Garrett Giorgio (308 yards, nine touchdowns) and sophomore Toby Edie (295 yards, five touchdowns) that adds further firepower.
Defensively, Hudson has kept opponents to 12.5 points per game. Attaway praised his defense for being engaged and focused, as well as reliable at tackling.
Fairhaven (10-2) secured its spot with a 42-13 victory over Swampscott. Senior running back Justin Marques ran for six touchdowns and holds the state record for career scores with 110.
“(He) understands the intensity, the physicality of playing this game the right way,” said Fairhaven head coach Derek Almeida. “He’s a leader. He’s a great kid. He really changed the culture of our program and how we approach football.”
Almeida also lauded his senior quarterback Cameron Burke, particularly Burke’s playmaking ability in clutch situations despite only taking the starting quarterback job at the beginning of the season. Led by center Zach Moura, Fairhaven’s offensive line clears the way for its running game, and from Almeida’s perspective, epitomizes the culture of the program.
The Fairhaven defense has held its opponents to 14 points per game, compensating for its smaller size with speed, persistent pressure on the quarterback and physical tackling. According to Almeida, the winning team will have to be more physical.
“We gotta show toughness with how we block, how we tackle, how we take on blocks, how we finish tackles,” Almeida said. “I think that’s ultimately what wins the football game.”
DIVISION 6 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Fairhaven vs. Hudson
Wednesday, December 4, 8 p.m. at Gillette Stadium
FAIRHAVEN BLUE DEVILS (10-2)
Head coach: Derek Almeida
Fairhaven 44, Durfee 7
BC High 32, Fairhaven 14
Fairhaven 14, Old Rochester 7
Fairhaven 41, Greater New Bedford 13
Fairhaven 42, Seekonk 14
Fairhaven 43, West Bridgewater 8
Fairhaven 42, Bourne 7
Fairhaven 42, Case 0
Fairhaven 44, Maynard 14
Fairhaven 36, Lynnfield 34 (ot)
Fairhaven 42, Swampscott 13
Dartmouth 21, Fairhaven 16
HUDSON HAWKS (12-0)
Head coach: Zac Attaway
Hudson 41, Shrewsbury 14
Hudson 40, Clinton 13
Hudson 48, Dover-Sherborn 6
Hudson 28, South 0
Hudson 63, Maynard 28
Hudson 48, Oakmont 14
Hudson 55, North Middlesex 7
Hudson 49, Groton-Dunstable 6
Hudson 45, East Bridgewater 14
Hudson 28, Sandwich 21
Hudson 21, Norwell 14
Hudson 41, Marlborough 0
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
Fairhaven is a perfect 4-0 in championship games, including a 26-22 win over Salem last year where Justin Marques established a new title game standard with 46 carries for 228 yards and four touchdowns. Hudson is making its first championship game since 2011 and seventh overall. The Hawks last won a title in 1991 where they defeated Bartlett 35-14 to claim the Div. 2 CMass crown.
DANNY V’S OUTLOOK
A rematch of last year’s epic semifinal content where Fairhaven’s Justin Marques and Hudson’s Jake Attaway took turns driving the opposing defensive coordinators crazy before the Blue Devils prevailed, 40-37. There is no reason to believe that this one shouldn’t be just as good.
Pick: Fairhaven