Rockets Fall In Epic Football State Title Game
December 5, 2024
•It’s the second time Needham Football played for a State Title, the first since 2011.
It was a special atmosphere on Thursday night, as the Needham Rockets Varsity Football Team faced off against the Xaverian Hawks in the MIAA Division 1 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium. While the Hawks jumped in front early and looked like they would cruise, Needham stormed back in the second half, but fell just short, 14-7.
The Rockets were the #3 seed in the Division 1 bracket, finishing the regular season at 8-0, then defeating Wachusett, Central Catholic and #1 seed St. John’s Prep to advance to the final, as well as rival Wellesley in the Oldest Public High School Football Rivalry in the Country. That means Needham brought a perfect 12-0 record to the championship, against the Hawks, who were the #3 seed in the bracket and were also the defending champions, after beating rival St. John’s Prep in the final last year.
After a Rockets three and out, Xaverian scored the first touchdown of the game, as Will Wood connected with Dave Chiavegato for an 81 yard score just three minutes and twenty seconds in. The Rockets would march down the field, converting on two fourth downs, before being forced to attempt a 37 yard field goal, which was blocked, so it stayed 7-0 Xaverian at the end of the 1st Quarter.
The Hawks would quickly get to the other end of the field, with Vincent Bus scoring on a two yard TD run less than two minutes into the 2nd Quarter. Needham fumbled the ball on their first play of the next drive on their own 33 yard line, but the Rockets defense came up with a series of stops, including a Will McDonald sack, then a stop on 4th down. Defense would be the name of the game the rest of the half as Aidan Williams picked up a sack and the score remained 14-0 heading to halftime.
The Rockets blasted off to start the 3rd Quarter, with Griffin Carr connecting with Williams on a 30 yard touchdown pass to finally put points on the board for Needham and only four minutes elapsed in the 3rd. Wood would then be intercepted by Nick Sewall to send it to the 4th still 14-7.
In the 4th, Williams would bust a big run to the Hawks 42, but couldn’t find the end zone on a couple of pass plays and on 4th and 12 they turned the ball over on downs. They would get the ball back with about two minutes to go, but Carr would be intercepted with 1:52 left, sealing the Rockets fate.
Busa was the offensive leader of the game for Xaverian, as he rushed 23 times for 140 yards. As a team, the Hawks had 289 total yards with 184 on the ground and 105 through the air. Williams led the Rockets with 99 total yards, 13 of 58 on the ground, as well as three receptions for 41 yards and his 24th and final touchdown of the season. But as a team, Needham only had 156 total offensive yards, 81 rushing and 75 passing.
The Rockets magical season came up just short, as they finished arguably their greatest season ever at 12-1. But it’s one that no Needham fans will ever forget! Here are a few of the highlights from our broadcast, that will debut Friday night at 8pm:
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