Dartmouth High School football’s last crosstown rivalry game against Bishop Stang went to the Spartans after a clutch field goal block that kept Stang in a narrow 9-7 lead. 

The memory is fresh in Dartmouth players’ minds:  “We lost last year on a field goal and that really stunk,” said senior Jason Martin. “We’ve got a chip on our shoulder coming in.”

Martin said the team’s been working all summer toward the Sept. 8 rematch against Bishop Stang, and they’re “pretty hyped” for it now. 

“I feel like we're more prepared than we were last year — I feel like this year we have a lot more weapons that we could use to win the game,” said senior wide receiver Louis Freitas. “We have a bond on this team like no other, and everything’s just gelling.”

Junior Markus Andrews said they’re “counting down the days” until the big game.

“The whole town is watching us basically, I feel like we got something to play for, to represent our town,” Andrews said.

Head Coach Rick White said the preseason scrimmages have been going well, particularly the team’s offense, which will rely on junior quarterback Jackson Hart, running back Ray Gramlich, and slot receiver Andrews. 

White said the team is looking forward to a tough game on Friday, as Bishop Stang has a strong, experienced offensive line and Dartmouth lost a good amount of its defensive line to graduating seniors last year. 

Preventing Bishop Stang from making long drives that “chew up the clock” is going to be key for Dartmouth. 

“It’s great for our seniors to kick off the season [with] such a big rivalry, and a lot of the parents have played in the game,” White said. “We’re just trying to come out fast and keep it going.”

Dartmouth is playing an independent schedule this year, one that will drop Brockton and Falmouth as opponents. 

The Sept. 8 game kicks off at Dartmouth Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. 

The game will also be the first performance of the year for the Dartmouth High School marching band.