Warriors Capture 4th Super Bowl Title

By Ken Hamwey
Staff Sports Writer

After the King Philip football team defeated North Attleboro, 21-10, in the Division 3 Super Bowl game at Gillette Stadium last month, Brian Lee, the Warriors head coach for the last 21 years, was emphatic about the respect he has for the players and the passion he has for coaching. 

King Philip’s coaching staff, which has led the Warriors to eight Super Bowl appearances, relied on their experience to engineer the defeat of North Attleborough for the Division 3 crown.

“I wanted it (Super Bowl win) for them,’’ he said. “The kids worked so hard and I’m blessed and so lucky I found KP and these kids. I’m very fortunate. They’re unbelievable kids. I love coaching this program and really enjoy working with our staff. Coaching is what I know and love.’’

The Warriors, whose triumph over North Attleboro was their eighth appearance in the last nine Super Bowls, now have a .500 record (4-4) at Gillette. Their previous state titles came against Reading, Lincoln-Sudbury and Marshfield in 2016, 2017 and 2023.

Lee and his staff obviously have built a solid foundation for the last decade, winning four Super Bowl titles and creating what could be labeled “a borderline dynasty.’’ There seems to be a formula in place that breeds success — the players buy in, they personify key attributes and the program thrives, primarily on intangible assets.

The eight Super Bowl appearances are an amazing statistic and the four state championships should leave no doubt that KP’s grid program is in the high-rent district.

Much will be expected of the Warriors next September. Expectations will be high because that’s the way it is when winning becomes methodical. Lee is acutely aware of that sentiment and he also knows that he and his staff will face a huge challenge when pre-season practice gets underway in August. 

“We lose 26 seniors,’’ he said. “I’ve never lost that many before, so we’ll look a lot different. We hope the boys on hand are eager to get their chance to compete. Our sub-varsity team (freshmen and sophomores) was unbeaten. But, success isn’t guaranteed. We may need a little luck but the work ethic of our kids next fall will be just like the 2025 champs. We’ll give it our best.’’

Photographers click away as they capture the King Philip Warriors celebrating their fourth Super Bowl triumph at Gillette Stadium.

This correspondent cited 14 points that seem to make the Warriors a breed apart and could very likely be the catalyst to offset the loss of so many seniors and the challenge of a major rebuild.  

The only 14-point program this writer knows that’s publicized in history books belongs to Woodrow Wilson, America’s 28th President. He had a 14-point plan after World War I ended. It detailed what the United States envisioned for the post-war era. At KP, 14 could be the magic number to maintain the Warriors’ football success. Lee not only agrees with the list, but he’s also got an addition and offers a brief comment on all of them.

The 14 Points

• HIGH FOOTBALL IQs — “We’re fortunate to have a youth program that’s open to kids from Grades 2-8. The KP Chiefs are for youths in Norfolk, Wrentham and Plainville. That’s where players get to understand football and learn the basics.’’

• ATHLETICISM — “That comes from genetics. Kids from good stock are more likely to have speed, quickness and strength.’’

• COACHABLE PLAYERS — “Good families and good parents are the keys to having coachable kids. As young boys, they respect coaches and want to learn. Discipline is learned at home.’’

• EXPERIENCE — “That comes from a program’s culture. KP players absorb the game as freshmen and sophomores, and when they’re juniors and seniors, they’re seasoned and polished. Quality coaches at the freshmen and jayvee levels are necessary.’’

• DEPTH — “We build depth because our kids want to have a role on the team. Because of their strong work ethic, they stay with the program, even as reserves. When called on, they’re ready to contribute. That’s how depth is built.’’

• LEADERSHIP — “I really don’t need to name captains. Our seniors are all comfortable in leadership roles. Captains or not, it’s their team and they speak up when there’s a need.’’

• COMMITMENT — “That element comes from knowing what the expectations are. The kids do what’s required. The Sunday before our Super Bowl game against North Attleboro, we practiced for four hours (3:30-7:30), watching film, lifting weights and talking strategy.’’

• ACCOUNTABILITY — “This attribute tells us if we can count on you. Can we trust you and will you be accountable? We all make mistakes. The key is to learn from them and improve.’’

• RESPONSIBILITY — “This means a boy has got to do all he can for the program and he must also protect the program. Logan McCormick played center the first time we played North Attleboro. He played tight end in the bowl game. He assumed that responsibility.’’

• SKILLED PLAYERS — “That’s about coaching kids up. Coaches work hard in drilling technique. Players must learn what the coaches say and implement it in game situations.’’

• RESILIENCY — “That’s a huge core value at KP. A play starts and ends in a fumble or interception. Players have to bounce back fast and that comes from confidence in themselves and their teammates. Resiliency leads to more positive outcomes than negative ones.’’

• TEAM FIRST ATTITUDE — “Our program isn’t interested in personal statistics. I don’t know who our sack leader is. My No. 1 stat is ‘did you win?’ The program must always come first and a team-first approach protects the program.’’

• TRUST — “Players must trust their teammates and coaches. Trust starts when you show up and work together, whether it’s at practice or a fund-raiser. It’s about investing time and energy, like the coaching staff. Trust means we’re all in this together.’’

• DEVOTED STAFF — “If people are relying on me, then we’re in trouble. All of our coaches are the reason for our success. Chris Perchard (linebackers, tight ends) has been an assistant for 21 years at KP; Matt Wassel (defensive coordinator) has 20 years in and so does Shawn Gough (freshman coach). Six others have been on staff for 15 years. They’re knowledgeable, dedicated and loyal.’’

Lee offered a 15th point and he believes without it, the other 14 won’t matter. It’s about outworking opponents.

“I learned from my father that hard work can overcome talent,’’ Lee said. “A strong, relentless work ethic can go a long way.’’

Lee’s father, John who’s 92, was a coaching legend at Walpole High for 25 years, compiling a record of 211-32-7. His first season (1968) ended at 4-4-1, but for the next 24 campaigns, Walpole High posted winning records. John Lee had six Super Bowl appearances, won four Super Bowl championships, 11 Bay State Conference championships, and one BSC co-championship. He finished with a winning percentage of 85.8. 

“My hope is that all our players for next season will adhere to the 14 points and lean on our culture,’’ Brian Lee said. “I hope they’ll want to go to Gillette, write their own history and avoid complacency.’’ 

Sideline Slants

• The 2025 Division 3 Super Bowl trophy was a terrific birthday present for Lee, who turned 54 on Dec. 6, the day after his squad defeated North Attleboro.

“The Super Bowl victory was a great present,’’ he said. “By the time the game ended and the celebration at Gillette was completed, it was close to midnight. I was able to celebrate with coaches, parents, and friends. I relaxed and spent time with my family on my birthday. The players exerted a lot of effort and hard work to provide that present.’’

• KP’s Keigan Canto-Osorio and Tallan King both rushed for more than 1,000 yards before the Super Bowl. Canto-Osorio had 1,273 yards and 14 TDs and King rushed for 1,084 yards and 16 TDs. And, they continued to be a punishing offensive attack against the Red Rocketeers at Gillette. King gained 149 yards on 23 carries and Canto-Osorio had 103 yards on 22 carries.

“We’ve had many great running backs at KP but those two are in the conversation when the program’s best backs are mentioned,’’ Lee said. “They supported each other, they leaned on each other and they weren’t greedy about the times they carried the ball. They’re very special kids.’’

• The Warriors’ journey to Gillette Stadium included, in order, a 51-0 triumph over Chicopee Comprehensive, a 42-12 victory over Mansfield, and a 21-13 win over Malden Catholic.

“We had to battle in all three games,’’ Lee said. “Malden Catholic was the best team we faced all year. We prepared hard for all three.’’

• North Attleboro’s Frankie Strachan gained 1,504 yards rushing and scored 21 TDs before the bowl matchup. Unfortunately, he suffered a severe foot injury with three minutes to go in the first quarter and did not return.

After the game, Lee said: “It’s the worst part about football. He’s obviously their heartbeat. To see him go out, it’s heart-breaking. I feel for him.’’ 

• The scoring for North Attleboro included a one-yard TD rush by Nathaniel Robbin and a 27-yard field goal and an extra point by Nick Torres. KP’s touchdowns included a two-yard run by quarterback Zach Gebhard, a one-yard rush by fullback Ryan Greenwood, and a seven-yard run by Canto-Osorio. Nate Crowley connected on all three extra-point kicks.

• Other noteworthy contributors for KP — Safeties Liam McGrath and Patrick Terio each had an interception; middle linebacker Kyle Danson was dynamic on defense; and Tallan King and Liam King (no relation) turned in some key defensive plays, thwarting several comeback bids by North Attleboro.