WORCESTER, Mass. - It was a good year for high school football in central Massachusetts, as West Boylston and Uxbridge both claimed state championships last week.
West Boylston claimed their second state title in a row, while Uxbridge won their first championship in more than 30 years.
For high school football teams, the senior class are the leaders and the team's success or failure usually rides on their leadership and work ethic, as well at mental and physical toughness and unselfishness. The senior classes of both teams have left a strong foundation and a legacy of success.
"It definitely sets a principle," said West Boylston linebacker Brian Smith. "They definitely are going to be inspired a lot by this team. Hopefully they can continue it next year, still come back and get it done again next year."
"We've been building for a long time," said Uxbridge linebacker Aidan Blood. "We were a .500 team three years ago. I mean, look how far we've come. Just summers in the weight room, everyone working their butt off in the offseason, that's what got us here."
"It's going to keep growing because of the community we've built," said Uxbdridge quarterback Kellen LaChapelle. "And it's just going to keep expanding from there because of the hard work and dedication of what we put in."