By Zach Johnson—Special to the North Star Reporter
North Attleborough opened its state tournament run Thursday night with a statement, shutting out Plymouth South, 42-0 at Beaupre Field.
The Rocketeers set the tone almost immediately. Joseph Ruggiero intercepted Plymouth South on its opening possession, giving North the ball at the Panthers’ 35-yard line. Quarterback Nathaniel Robin, back in the starting lineup after missing the last two regular season games, finished the short drive with a four-yard touchdown run.
From there, North never looked back.
Ruggiero finished with 68 yards on 12 carries and two rushing touchdowns, helping North establish control on the ground. Nick O’Brien added 92 yards on nine carries and produced two of the game’s biggest plays, a 30-yard rushing touchdown and an 80-yard fumble return for a score late in the first half.
North carried a commanding 35-0 lead into halftime.
The Rocketeers also got strong production through the air. Ryan Gustafson caught three passes for 49 yards, including key third-down conversions that extended scoring drives.
Defensively, North was just as dominant. Aiden Jackson’s early pressure helped create Ruggiero’s interception, while Milo House recorded a tackle for loss and a third-down pass breakup. Sophomore Logan Johnson also broke up a third-down screen pass that forced another Plymouth South punt.
North’s offensive line played a major role in controlling the game. Juniors Trevor Oldmixon, Chase Ferro and Aiden Jackson, sophomore Domenic Leco and freshman Jake Green helped the Rocketeers consistently create room on the ground.
Sophomore quarterback Tyler Johnson took over in the second half and kept the offense moving. He connected with Gustafson for a key third-and-10 conversion and added 13 rushing yards on two carries before House broke a long touchdown run that helped put the game on a running clock.
North’s next opponent will be Marshfield, with the game taking place on Nov. 13.