With the Old Colony athletic department’s consistent success in every season in both girls and boys sports, it only makes sense for the Cougars to receive recognition in addition to their 13 combined titles between the Mayflower Athletic Conference Small Division and the Vocational State tournaments, which is why Old Colony was awarded the 2017-2018 Division II Walter J. Markham Award.
One large and one small vocational school receives the honor each year for having the best win-loss record among all vocational schools in the state.
The Cougars finished 121-83-3 (58.61 winning percentage) after dominating the fall (46-15-3), winter (25-12), and spring (50-22) seasons.
This is the first Markham Award for the Cougars in the award’s 21-year existence.
But that wasn’t enough. The MIAA and Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association (MSSADA) also took the liberty of acknowledging Old Colony Athletic Director Matt Trahan as the state’s best AD.
“Honestly, it was surreal,” Trahan said about hearing the news of his award. “There are a lot of really good athletic directors in the state. You do the job — and I enjoy the job; I love what I do — but it’s not one of those jobs where you’re looking for credit. You do it because it’s good for the kids; it’s good for the school. At the end of the day, it kind of blew me away that here I am, and you reflect on the last 15 years and think about all the things. It’s incredible when you feel the appreciation because I respect my peers. For them to vote for me is kind of overwhelming.”
While he’s taken a moment or two to appreciate the honor and recognition, Trahan isn’t dwelling on it too much. He sees this as yet another way to display why Old Colony is developing well-rounded individuals – both on the field and in the classroom.
“I always want to shine the light on what we’re doing at the school because I think sometimes it goes unnoticed,” Trahan said. “It’s a small vocational school in Rochester, but it’s got so many things that I think kids will love, and the kids there do love. It truly is a hidden gem. There are so many people invested in the future. It’s a great place to work.”
As much as Trahan is quick to acknowledge his co-workers and student athletes as being a part of why he was given the award by the MIAA and MSSADA, he also knows this doesn’t happen without his support system. Because without a strong foundation at home, Trahan wouldn’t be able to do what he does best: help develop young student-athletes into young adults.
“I really want to give credit to my wife, Katie, and my kids,” Trahan said. “The total ongoing support from her, she never waivers in anything going on with the school. She knows I take my job seriously. She is amazing.”
Old Rochester Regional
After coming within 10 points of being the Division 6 South Sectional champions, there was no way that No. 1 Old Rochester Regional football was giving No. 2 Ashland a shot at walking away victorious, and the Bulldogs won the game 28-6.
Desmond Diaswas the driving force behind the offense, scoring three touchdowns in the win. Cole McIntyrefound Tyler Noefor a 39-yard score, rounding out ORR’s scoring against Ashland.
Had the Bulldogs won in 2017, they would have played the champions from the North, with the Central team receiving a bye because the West doesn’t have a Division 6 representative. However, this year the Bulldogs lucked out because it’s the South’s turn to have a bye in Division 6. As a result, ORR is guaranteed a spot in the Division 6 State Tournament Championship game where the Bulldogs will play the winner of the Stoneham (10-0) and Littleton (9-3) game at Gillette Stadium after Thanksgiving. Stoneham also represented the North in 2017, losing to Middleboro, who also beat ORR in the South Sectional Finals. Littleton was there, as well, and lost to Middleboro in the State Final.
High School Sports Update
By Nick Friar