FRANKLIN — If you have taken a journey to Beaver Pond in recent years, chances are you have witnessed the excitement lacrosse brings the Franklin High School community.
Over the last decade in particular, countless athletes with winning pedigree have passed through its decorated boys program. However, something historic has been brewing this season for the Panthers, and it’s largely due to the three-headed monster of Jayden Consigli, Luke Davis and Tyler Sacchetti.
“We’ve had some great attackmen over the years,” said Franklin lacrosse coach Lou Verrochi. “Eric Civetti is at Rutgers. Matt Lazzaro is at Penn State. But we have never had a trio like (this).”
Just how impressive are we talking? To this point on the young campaign, Davis already has registered 84 points, sniping a whopping 51 goals to go with 33 assists. Meanwhile, Consigli (44 goals, 16 assists) and Sacchetti (36 goals, 24 assists) have tallied 60 points apiece. The Panthers (10-1) have averaged an incredible 17.64 goals per contest as a result.
“This year, they just compliment each other so well,” Verrochi said. “They play club together, they know each other’s tendencies. That has truly helped them be such a formidable force.”
Davis and Sacchetti grew up playing lacrosse together in Franklin, while Consigli initially spent his childhood days in Northbridge. However, all three were members of the Piatelli Lacrosse club team from an early age, and had a unique opportunity to develop chemistry.
“We know where we’re going to be on the field,” said Davis. “Strengths and weaknesses. I think it makes my life a whole lot easier with Tyler and Jayden around, because they’re so good at everything they do.”
As of last check, Franklin was slotted fourth in the MIAA’s latest Div. 1 power rankings. The Panthers have dominated nearly every opponent they have come across, their lone defeat coming to one of the Commonwealth’s top-ranked programs (a 16-8 loss to St. John’s Prep on April 22).
For Davis and his teammates, the signature win so far came against a juggernaut in Acton-Boxboro on April 14, when the Boston University commit buried five goals and added an assist to pace his group during a thrilling 13-11 victory. Consigli and Sacchetti combined for six goals and two helpers during the effort as well.
“That was a big statement win this year,” Davis said. “It just showed what we’re about, and that we could hang with the top teams. So, that was definitely a cool one.”
Franklin’s resume has also included wins over premier programs such as Longmeadow and Medfield this year, to name a few.
Like Davis, Consigli will be playing collegiately when he takes his talents to UMass Lowell. Sacchetti is considering potentially walking on at Fairfield during his next chapter.
“I think (I’ll remember) just how close our team was,” said Davis. “Especially our senior class. We’ve grown up together playing town lacrosse and rec, AAU. I just think the chemistry and the bond we all have will be very memorable.”
This past week, Verrochi embarked on a quaint fishing trip at the Quabbin Reservoir, a hobby he has come to enjoy over time. As the boat rocked, the longtime coach paused for a brief second when asked where Consigli, Davis and Sacchetti collectively rank among players he has coached recently.
“I don’t know if we’ll ever have three as close to these three,” Verrochi said. “They’re just something special. Hopefully in the pipeline, there will be some kids coming up as good as them. But the thing is that we’re an established program, where we don’t rebuild. We just reload. We’re very fortunate to have as many club programs in the area, and a good youth program.”
Despite missing a whole season due to the pandemic, the three seniors have each asserted themselves as some of the highest-scoring athletes in program history. Davis has 327 career points (214 goals, 113 assists), to his credit. Consigli (179 goals, 102 assists) and Sacchetti (108 goals, 104 assists) have amassed some impressive numbers themselves.
Now, the three senior attackmen and their fellow Panthers will attempt to make history as the race for the statewide playoffs begins to heat up, each with one true goal in mind.
“I think we can definitely make a run at the state championship,” said Davis. “Definitely looking to head after the top dogs, like BC High, St. John’s Prep. I think this is a good year for us to make a run at the (crown).”
