Hometeam: Shrewsbury takes on tough climb toward Division 3 football playoff berth

Although the football schedule hanging up on refrigerators throughout town may not agree, for Shrewsbury High, the playoffs start Saturday afternoon.

The Colonials, coming off of a key victory last week at Leominster, are 3-3. As of this moment, Shrewsbury finds itself sixth in the Central Mass. Division 3 power ratings.

The top four teams qualify for the postseason. In other words, the Colonials are on the outside looking in.

Shrewsbury hosts Shepherd Hill at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Rams sit at No. 4 in the power ratings, making this a virtual must-win for the Colonials.

“This senior class has been in the playoffs every year since we were freshmen, so getting there is something we’re working hard toward,” senior quarterback Clint Mills said. “A lot of the (seniors) on this team have played their whole lives for this last ride, so we’re going to give that extra one percent in everything we do and make sure we have no gas left in our tanks.”

Shrewsbury has losses to St. John’s and Doherty, the top two teams, respectively, in the Hometeam poll, as well as a rock-solid Algonquin team that is currently one slot ahead of the Colonials in the power ratings.

“We’ve been up and down in terms of performance in a year in which every team in our division is very competitive,” Shrewsbury coach John Aloisi said. “I’m not sure we’ve put it all together yet and played to the best of our ability.”

From inside the program to coaches from other programs, there’s consensus that Shrewsbury clearly has the talent to be a playoff entrant, and with the team starting to regain health from some critical early injuries, the Colonials are confident heading into backs-against-the-wall games.

Mills, who missed the season opener with an injury and then was hobbled by a injury, is rounding back into the promise he showed in spot duty under center last season.

T.J. Morgera, a versatile senior, also has been slowed by injury, so getting one of the best all-around athletes in Central Mass. back on the field should provide a substantial boost.

As in years past, the Colonials like to share the offensive wealth and have gotten a strong season out of fullback Tucker Montague.

“Our offensive line has performed well, and we’ve been able to run the ball efficiently,” Aloisi said of the group that amassed more than 500 yards against St. John’s and features Carl Lund, Cade Nelson and Alessandro Houghton.

Thomas Kelliher, A.J. Hamm, Chris Hannoush, Matt Powers and Stavros Maniatis, meanwhile, have thrived thus far.

As Saturday approaches, Mills is hoping recent history can repeat itself.

“When we were freshmen, the seniors that year were in a very similar situation, with a couple losses and having to fight to get into the playoffs,” Mills said. “I still remember how they were. You could see that fire in their eyes every day, and it’s on us now as seniors to lead the way. We’re more than capable.”

The climb into the postseason won’t be easy. Should the Colonials find a way past Shepherd Hill, they’d likely have to then defeat powerful Nashoba Regional the following week to remain in the hunt for a berth.

—Contact Tom Flanagan at sports@telegram.com.