Back on the grass, under the lights

Bartlett's Neil Flanigan and Chris Mullins (#75)

Text and photos by Steev Riccardo

It felt so good to be back on the grass watching high school football this past weekend!  Basketball always has been my personal favorite sport, but there is something special about watching high school football games, especially under the lights.

It was a pretty good first week for Shepherd Hill, not so good for Bartlett and Oxford. In fact, I even did something I have never done while covering a football game. I left the Shepherd Hill game at half time and it had nothing to do with the fact that the game was televised on Charter Channel 3.

Why did I leave? For all intents and purposes the game was over. The Rams had a 38-8 lead and Westborough couldn’t have stopped them if they had 12 guys on the field instead of 11. They had no chance whatsoever of coming back. 

Any way my hunch was a good one because when I got home and turned on Charter (just in case), none of the Rams offensive starters were in the game. Classy move, by the way, by Chris Lindstrom. There is no need to rub it in when you have a 30-point lead at half time of a high school game.

Drew Ravenelle: Speaking of the Rams, Drew Ravenelle was the clear-cut choice as the player of the week, with his offensive line getting a close second. It wasn’t just the two touchdowns that Ravenelle scored, it was his overall poise and leadership. Without even throwing a pass, Ravenelle is a great quarterback.

Tyler Barrie: Oxford High Captain Tyler Barrie gets the nod with the play of the week. His 54-yard punt return for touchdown against Bay Path was a real work of art.

Neil Flanagan: It was a bit of a surprise to see Bartlett sophomore Neil Flanigan with a broom in hand cleaning up the Webster Plaza Parking lot early Saturday morning. Not because the 16 year old has a job and was working on the weekend, which is a good thing, but because of some of the hits I saw him take on the football field against a physical Northbridge team the night before. This, my friend’s, is the life of a high school football player.  When I asked how he felt, he said he felt good with a bit of a smirk on his face.  Flanigan is a tough kid and a very good football player. 

Emily Dawidczyk/Oxford Soccer: “The Sweet Assassin” wasted little time showing us why she is one of the best soccer players in Central Mass, scoring five goals in the Oxford Pirates season opener vs. Southbridge.  Eighth grader Rebecca Nguyen (below) also added a goal and a pair of assists in the win for the Pirates.

Dawidczyk and the Pirates square off against Bartlett in Webster today ( September 12).

Oxford Pirates eighth grader Rebecca Nguyen

Lauren Puishys: It was nice to see Lauren Puishys (photo below) on the sidelines at Oxford High’s field hockey opener against Sutton last week. Seems like the former Pirate and current WPI goalkeeper may have some coaching aspirations down the line as she was seen giving encouragement to the Oxford players.

Former Oxford three-sport Star Lauren Puishys checking some field hockey

Lindsay Bond: We also were happy to run into Lindsay Bond, another recent grad, last Thursday at the Bartlett girl’s soccer game. Special Agent Bond informed us that she not only will she be playing basketball at Anna Maria College this year but she will also be back on the softball diamond in the Spring. Go Bond!

Nichols Bison Lose 34-7: The Bison dropped to 0-2 after being blasted by Framingham State 34-7 in their home opener on Friday night.  Quarterback Pat Viencek was the lone bright spot for the Bison, throwing for 247 yards and a touchdown in the loss.  The Bison will play Mass Maritime at home Friday, September 14.

Upcoming Game Of The Week: The Shepherd Hill Rams take on St. Peter-Marian Saturday night in Worcester in a game that should be a real barnburner.

Until next week, see you on the sidelines! Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with any sports news and check out the new View From The Sidelines Facebook page with exclusive photos and news at https://www.facebook.com/ViewFromTheSidelines