Mansfield's Caden Harte was pumped after forcing an incompletion on fourth down.
Mansfield's Caden Harte was pumped after forcing an incompletion on fourth down.Evan Walsh
NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH — For Mansfield, Friday’s game was a matter of pride. And a matter of payback.
And when the Hornets took the field, it was only a matter of time.
After getting walloped by North Attleborough, 35-0, in last year’sDivision 3 Super Bowl, Mansfield had extra motivation when preparing to face its longtime Hockomock League rival for the first time since.
Focused, with revenge in mind, the visiting 12th-ranked Hornets stole back bragging rights from the No. 15 Red Rocketeers with a 24-14 victory.
FINAL:
Mansfield — 24
N. Attleborough — 14
Mason Bordieri has a HUGE game for Mansfield — on offense AND defense. A Bordieri 45-yard rushing touchdown sealed the deal for the Hornets.@GlobeSchools pic.twitter.com/7ETzPOXhat
— Evan Walsh (@evanjrwalsh) October 25, 2025
“Last year, 35-0 in the championship game, that definitely leaves a mark,” said Mason Bordieri, a senior halfback who scored two touchdowns. “We knew going into this that we worked all year for this. Ten months. We came back a week after the Super Bowl in the weight room, all summer long at 6 a.m. We needed to have this one today.”
Led by Bordieri’s 2-yard touchdown run and a 40-yard field goal by James Warren, the Hornets (5-2) took an early 10-0 lead. A 1-yard plunge by North Attleborough’s Frankie Strachan midway through the second quarter got the Rocketeers (5-2) within a score, confirming it was going to be a battle.
“This is such a great rivalry. It’s two of the best teams in the state, we live side-by-side,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Redding, a North Attleborough graduate. “It’s funny – the kids kind of don’t like each other, but overall highly respect each other, get after it. This was a battle on both sides.”
In the second half, Mansfield executed at the right times. Darrian Sanders returned a punt 75 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown, and Bordieri found a gap and went 45 yards to the house to put the game away.
Mason Bordieri had two touchdowns — including a 45-yarder that sealed it — to help Mansfield defeat N. Attleborough after a tough Super Bowl loss last season.@GlobeSchools @MHSfootballMA pic.twitter.com/3hRcd40wBA
— Evan Walsh (@evanjrwalsh) October 25, 2025
And Mansfield did it without standout quarterback Tommy Vallett, who is resting after an injury but is expected to return to action soon. In his place, junior Gio Scarpellini stepped up, making the plays when his number was called.
“We had a great week of practice — everyone was going on both sides of the ball. We needed this win. After the loss last year, we had this game circled on our schedule all year,” said Scarpellini. “There’s nothing more we wanted to do than win this game.”
Mansfield's Donovan Minton tries to escape from a North Attleborough defender.
Mansfield's Donovan Minton tries to escape from a North Attleborough defender.Evan Walsh
Mansfield players get hyped prior to their game against North Attleborough.
Mansfield players get hyped prior to their game against North Attleborough.Evan Walsh
Mansfield's Donovan Minton throws a mean stiff-arm.
Mansfield's Donovan Minton throws a mean stiff-arm.Evan Walsh