Nauset Football Looks For First Postseason Berth Since 2019

NORTH EASTHAM – The Warriors are hoping to snap their five-year postseason drought.

For the first time since the 2019 squad suffered a 35-14 loss to Plymouth South in the Division 4 South sectional semifinals, Nauset (5-2) is in contention to return to the Division 4 state tournament as it prepares for its last non-playoff regular season game at Wareham at 6 p.m. Friday.

The top 16 teams in the MIAA Power Rankings with at least three wins and seven games played qualify for the Division 4 state tournament. The Warriors were ranked No. 18 in the division behind No. 16 Holliston (4-3) and No. 17 Ashland (3-4) in the latest rankings released Tuesday morning.

“I’ve never played in a playoff game and it’s always been a big dream of mine,” said senior wide receiver Isaiah Robinson, a Yarmouth resident. “I want the opportunity to do that and for me and my teammates to be able to play in the playoffs and make some plays.”

Robinson has been a key contributor for the Warriors’ passing game, especially during the team’s current three-game winning streak that included victories over Nantucket (28-14), Falmouth (48-28), and most recently Blue Hills (46-28).

The high scores and margin of victories are crucial towards the team’s playoff hopes, as the Power Rankings are determined by adding teams’ average margin of victory capped by 14 points for each game with their opponents’ overall ratings. 

While junior quarterback Brendan Peno has been anchoring the passing game with a deep stable of wideouts at his disposal, the signal-caller has also showcased his speed and agility while serving as another running threat beside senior tailback Joey Berardi.

“We knew we were going to be pretty explosive offensively, but then with Joey playing the way he has, we’ve been really difficult to defend,” Nauset coach Jesse Peno said. “The quarterback is able to run, the tailback is able to run, and then we have four or five guys that can all catch the ball. 

“Isaiah is our leading receiver, but between Oliver Rossi, Seamus Mahoney, Owen White and Jack Peno, everyone has probably 12-15 catches and the ball gets thrown around. It’s hard for teams to cover every single guy.”

The coach also credited his offensive line, led by senior left tackle Peter Silvernail, senior left guard Mason Santos, senior center Gabe Amaral, junior right guard Freddie Ricks and senior right tackle Ashton Lutz. 

Junior Chet Travers has also seen playing time on the line in recent weeks as the unit battles injuries. 

“The guys up front have done a tremendous job,” Peno said. “We throw the ball sometimes 30-35 times per game and it’s hard to pass block, but those guys do it and then they go run block. It’s all clicking right now.”

Brendan Peno said the offense is connecting in a way the Warriors haven’t consistently seen in recent years, adding that the key to their success has been being able to methodically advance the ball down the field at their pace rather than relying on big gains to make up ground.

“We’re very diverse and are able to run the ball and throw the ball,” the junior said. “I feel like in the past we’ve relied more on big chunk plays, but going up the field one play at a time has really helped us this year a lot.”

Nauset is heading into Friday’s game at Wareham with fresh legs following a scheduled bye week. Coach Peno said it came at the right time, allowing the players to rest and heal various injuries that have been sustained in recent weeks. 

Knowing the team’s margin of victory is an essential part of the team’s playoff hopes, the Warriors are aiming that Friday’s result will help them secure a spot in the Division 4 playoff field.

“We’re going to play til the last whistle blows,” Peno said. “We know the point differential is a part of the playoff formula, so I tell the guys we want to score every time we touch the ball and then let the chips fall where they may.”

 Monomoy’s varsity football game against Nantucket has been canceled due to a scheduling conflict. The Whalers scheduled nine games for the first nine weeks of the season, and teams are only allowed to play eight during the nine-week period. 

The Sharks (3-5) were granted a victory by forfeit. They will have a bye week this week and then learn the rest of their regular season schedule once playoff seedings are finalized over the weekend.