Jack Luccarelli celebrates one of three fourth-quarter touchdowns in Norwell's Division 6 semifinal win.
Jack Luccarelli celebrates one of three fourth-quarter touchdowns in Norwell's Division 6 semifinal win.Evan Walsh
WESTON — Trailing by a touchdown heading into the fourth quarter, Norwell had seen better days. Facing a stout defensive front, the Clippers seemed lucky to execute a successful punt — with most drives ending in turnovers or failed fourth-down conversions.
The setbacks had Clippers first-year coach Jason Pithie reaching parts of the playbook he didn’t even know existed.
“I have a huge call sheet with two sides,” he said. “I was calling plays out of my head.”
With a lethal combination of composure and toughness, the Clippers were able to right the ship. Led by three fourth-quarter touchdowns by standout quarterback Jack Luccarelli, top-ranked Norwell bested No. 5 Hudson, 21-7, in the Division 6 semifinal Saturday at Weston High.
It’s the first Super Bowl appearance for Norwell (9-2) in program history.
“To make history, to be the group to do it – it feels pretty special," Luccarrelli said.
Jack Luccarelli passed Norwell into the Division 6 Super Bowl with a trio of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.
Jack Luccarelli passed Norwell into the Division 6 Super Bowl with a trio of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.Evan Walsh
“[Luccarelli] is unbelievable,” Pithie said. “I think he’s not just the best player in the South Shore League, I think he’s the best player in Division 6. He’s just a special kid. . . . To come out in the second half and to do what he did, we’re lucky to have him.”
While Luccarelli’s touchdown passes of 50, 6, and 4 yards provided the firepower, it was the Clippers’ defense that kept things steady when the offense slipped. After allowing an 18-yard touchdown on the opening drive, Norwell forced four interceptions.
“The defense answered,” said Pithie. “We’ve scored a lot of points all year, but we haven’t been in a lot of situations where we’ve needed our defense to answer, and today they answered. . . . Players play in big games, and our guys are a bunch of players.”
It was also a chance for the Clippers to exact some revenge. In last year’s semifinal, Norwell lost, 21-14, to a Hudson team that went on to win the Super Bowl.
“We wanted to get payback,” Luccarelli said. “We wanted to get revenge.”
Added Pithie: “Our goal was to get to Gillette — now here we are.”
Jacob Gosselin and Norwell are headed to their first Super Bowl.
Jacob Gosselin and Norwell are headed to their first Super Bowl.Evan Walsh