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O'Bryant tops Latin Academy to clinch Boston South title

Posted by Zuri Berry, Boston.com Staff  October 25, 2013 11:38 PM

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The Tigers have finally got over the hump.

O’Bryant found its way back on the championship stage and into the postseason for the first time since 2008, clinching the Boston South league and remaining undefeated after dispatching Latin Academy, 21-8, on Friday at White Stadium.

“It was a lot of hard work,” said Kevin Gadson, the longtime Tigers coach who has not seen the postseason since losing to Manchester-Essex in the first round of the 2008 MIAA playoffs. “We’ve been just missing and just missing, and this year with the help of the lord, and some good coaching, and a lot of support, and the kid’s hard work we’ve been able to overcome today against a very good team,” he said.

Leading the charge for O’Bryant (7-0, 5-0) was senior and four-year player Mehki Williams, who rushed for a game-high 153 yards, including a 78-yard TD burst in the first quarter.

“I couldn’t even believe it. I had to fall to the floor in shock, I thought I was dreaming,” said Williams on winning his first league championship. “It’s been four years we’ve all been working our butts off . . . and I’m just proud of all of us.”

The other Tiger scores came from Kevin Nash, who scored on a 5-yard dash in the second, and senior quarterback Ajani Alfred-McFall, who scored on a 1-yard plunge to seal the game in the fourth.

It was a see-saw game between two of Boston’s best teams that included 12 combined turnovers. It was the Tigers who did a better job of handling the pressure.

Latin Academy (6-1, 4-1), guilty of a season-high seven turnovers, including three costly fumbles, never got its offense going as it posted its lowest scoring output of the season. Constant pressure kept stud quarterback Kyle Dance, who scored LA’s only touchdown on a 5-yard rush in the second quarter, off balance all game long. Dance, who has thrown 13 touchdown passes this season, had his usually efficient game relegated to just 7-of-19 for 49 yards.

Down, 13-8, and on the O’Bryant 31 with 1.8 seconds left in the first half, Dance found a streaking Moise Rainford wide open in the end zone. Dance threw a perfect pass, and Rainford ran a perfect route, but he couldn’t haul in the go-ahead catch.

“With stuff like that it should’ve been a blowout,” said Latin Academy coach Rocco Zizza.

“We had opportunities. We had two dropped balls in the end zone. We didn’t play well,” he said. “We we’re outplayed and they were the better team today. We’ve had consistent efforts all year and for some reason it just wasn’t there today.”

The loss, according to Zizza, doesn’t mean the Dragons have canceled their postseason plans, though.

“The second season begins Monday, we’re looking forward to it. We’re definitely in the playoffs, we made the top eight,” said Zizza, referring to the eight teams to be selected by the MIAA from Division 6 North.

About Boston Public Schools Sports Blog

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Several reporters, editors and correspondents contribute updates, news and features to the BPS Sports Blog:
  • Justin A. Rice -- A metro Detroit native, Rice is a Michigan State University (Go Spartans!) and Northeastern University graduate. Rice lives in the South End with his dog and wife, who unfortunately attended the University of Michigan ... his wife, that is. He curates the BPS Sports Blog and is always looking to write about city athletes with great stories. Have an idea? He can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeJustinRice or @BPSspts.
  • Ryan Butler -- A Rhode Island native and avid Boston sports fan, Butler played basketball, baseball and football throughout his time in Barrington Public Schools. Now currently in his middler year at Northeastern University, he joins Boston.com as a correspondent for the site's BPS coverage. Have a story idea? Contact him at butler.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on his Twitter @butler_globe.
Also expect updates from Boston.com High School sports editor Zuri Berry and the Globe staff.
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