Norwood Defeats Defending Super Bowl Champion Walpole-October 24, 1977

Norwood Defense Stymies Walpole as Chris Collins Generates All the Scoring

Familiar storylines once again defined Saturday’s gridiron matchup for Norwood High School head coach John Doherty, whose undefeated squad relied on its trademark lockdown defense and the dynamic play of quarterback Chris Collins to blank defending Super Bowl champion Walpole 11-0.

“Every week it’s the same thing for us,” Doherty said after the victory. “We have 11 guys who can really play defense. And Chris, well he’s just a super football player.”

Collins powered the Mustang offense in the first half, connecting six times with receiver Jim Donoghue for nearly 100 passing yards. With 3:30 remaining in the second quarter, Collins broke free on a five-yard touchdown run and subsequently teamed up with Donoghue for a successful two-point conversion. Then, with just one second remaining before halftime, Collins booted a 32-yard field goal to account for all the game’s scoring. “Week after week, he does it for us,” Doherty praised. “He is just a superlative athlete.”

Impressive Goal-Line Stands Secure Sixth Shutout

While Norwood controlled the first half, Walpole surged back in the second half, testing a Mustang defense that has remarkably not yielded a single point all season.

Walpole mounted two deep drives in the third and fourth quarters—fueled by a 31-yard run from Chris Warman and leadership from junior quarterback John Bergamo (subbing for an injured Bill McKay). However, the Rebel threats repeatedly collapsed inside Norwood territory:

• On the opening drive of the third quarter, Walpole marched down to the one-yard line before the Mustang defense stuffed them on four consecutive downs.
• Later in the half, after a short punt, Walpole drove to the nine-yard line only to turn the ball over on downs once more.

“That’s the sign of a good team,” conceded Walpole coach John Lee. “We drove it down on them but they stopped us twice. We just couldn’t get the ball in… I don’t think anyone will stop them.”

Defensive Standouts and Division One Super Bowl Hopes

Led by linebackers Joe Lynch, Mark Soderlund, and Dennis Clifford, who consistently clogged the middle against Walpole’s rushing attack, Norwood locked down its sixth shutout of the season. Coach Lee attributed Norwood’s success to veteran experience and exceptional defensive quickness.

With the victory, Norwood (maintaining its unblemished record) keeps its sights firmly set on a berth in the Division One Super Bowl. “The difference today for us was that we had Chris,” Doherty reflected. “And the defense, well they just play tough every single week.”

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger