Hanover culminates unbeaten season with dominating win over Brookline in Division 2 boys' rugby state final

The top-seeded Hawks (9-0) started the season as the Division 2 favorites, rolled through their early opponents, then kept getting better. The culmination was a 59-7 demolition of No. 2 Brookline (7-3) in Saturday's state championship.
Less than a minute after Mofford's try, Love'on Flowers burst through the Warriors' line for a 60-yard, highlight-reel try, his second of the day. Fellow seniors Lochlan Garvey, Matthew Bellerby, David Bonilla and Camden Scott and sophomore Daniel McAvay also scored tries. Garvey nailed 7 of 9 on conversions, with two from the tightest angle on the field.
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Brookline senior Nate Lockwood scored the Warriors' only try, and made the ensuing conversion, late in the second half.
After full-time, Mofford was reduced to tears.
'This sport means so much to me,' he said. 'We've been beaten down time and time again, and this was the last hurrah.'
The Hawks were eliminated by three-peat champion Weymouth in each of the previous three seasons — twice in the title game. When the Wildcats moved up to Division 1 this season, the Hawks wasted no time.
'Today was as close to perfect as we've been all season,' said coach Andy McLean.
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Hanover's Lochlan Garvey (No. 10) scores a try with pressure from Brookline's Nate Lockwood (No. 10) during first-half action in the MIAA Division 2 boys' rugby state championship Saturday at Curry College in Milton.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Brookline's Dillon Hibbard (left, No. 9) was dragged from behind by Hanover's Connor Godfrey (right, No. 6) during first-half action.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Hanover captain Aidan Boutin (left, No. 8) looks for room to run after breaking a tackle from Brookline High's Jameson Young (left, No. 6).
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Hanover captains Lochlan Garvey (left) and Juneau Mofford (right) wept tears of joy after celebrating a hard-earned Division 2 state title. Said Mofford: 'We've been beaten down time and time again, and this was the last hurrah.'
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Hanover captain Aidan Butin (center) did the honors when he hoisted the trophy to spark the Hawks' celebration.
Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff
Sam Robb O'Hagan can be reached at

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