Although they did not end up with a state championship win this past Sunday, the Wachusett Youth Football 12U team has secured its place in local sports history.
The team of 36 athletes won the 12U Central Mass Youth Football and Cheerleading Conference (CMYFCC) Super Bowl on Oct. 29 for the first time ever, a triumph that head coach Jim Henrickson and team mom Leah Leahy said gave them a season from which they “emerged victorious.”
“Many of these boys have been honing their skills together for years, fostering a camaraderie that has become the driving force behind their success,” said Henrickson, who is in his third year coaching the team and has 20 years’ coaching experience. “I’ve never witnessed a group of friends and teammates so tightly knit.”
The duo recalled in detail the stellar season the team worked so hard to achieve. Henrickson and Leahy said the young men began their season in July with an intensive conditioning camp four nights a week, which culminated in an end-of-summer jamboree “where they could showcase their new team.”
The team coaches were Henrickson, Tim O’Connor, Stephen Lorusso, Manny Jardim and Jacob Barr.
“Under the leadership of team captains Billy Henrickson, Declan O’Connor, Hunter Leahy, and Alex Jardim, the team forged a bond that proved unbreakable on the field,” they shared.
Heading into the playoffs with a 5-3 record, the Wachusett football team faced the daunting challenge of going up against Leominster at their home field for the Super Bowl matchup. Memories of a heartbreaking loss last year fueled their determination, marking this game as a redemption opportunity for many.
The first quarter saw a deadlock at 0-0. However, by halftime, Wachusett took an 8-6 lead courtesy of Nico Panechelli’s touchdown and Carter Cappello’s flawless 2-point kick. The boys proved they were ready for a comeback.
“There’s a lot of pressure as the kicker, especially when you’re playing in the Super Bowl but with the help of my coaches and teammates, I was able to make it happen,” said Carter, a 12-year-old Holden 7th grader.
Matthew Joshua David Fiske Jr. secured three touchdowns as his team blocked opponents down the field, demonstrating the group’s resilience and skill. Carter continued to shine, contributing crucial field goals that added to the scoreboard. When that final whistle blew that last Sunday in October, the Wachusett team emerged with a 36-12 victory.
“Every game, these kids amaze me with their hidden talents, and each week we’re seeing a different player step up, selflessly contributing to our collective success,” Henrickson said.
For the Wachusett 12U team, the Super Bowl win was not just a culmination of a successful season; it was a testament to their perseverance, teamwork and brotherhood.
Then the stage was set for them to play one of the state’s toughest teams, the Lynn Rams, on Nov. 5.
“We played a really good team (in the Super Bowl), but we worked together and were able to get the win,” said 12-year-old 7th grader Nicholas Beaudoin of Rutland last week. “We’re ready to do it again.”
“It’s going to be fun,” added Hunter, 12, a Holden 7th grader. “We’re going in as the underdogs. It’ll be an unforgettable experience, regardless of the outcome.”
Andrew, a 13-year-old 8th grader from Holden, said he “was welcomed and made to feel part of the team from day one,” his first year playing on 12U. “I am so proud to be part of a team that works hard together and supports each other no matter what. I am so excited we are Super Bowl champs.”
Holden 7th grader Crew Oliver, 12, said their team “faced many great teams this season, and with all the hard work we put in we made it to the Super Bowl and beat a great team.”
They took the South High Community School in Worcester field this past Sunday as the home team. And while that state championship game against the Rams did not end with the victory they wanted, the players will hold their heads high. They will always have the memories of a record-making season, their talent and determination, and the support from the Wachusett community.
While this chapter has ended, the journey is not over. Wachusett 12U will always be 2023 CMYFCC Super Bowl Champions. Until next season …
Jim Henrickson and Leah Leahy contributed to this story.
