Fathers, sons and football: Superbowl is a family affair
By Caitlyn Kelleher Journal Staff Reporter

Richard, 50, and Tyler, 16, Nosworthy will represent Oakmont Regional High School in the Central/Westminster Massachusetts Division III Superbowl 33 years apart. Journal Photo/Caitlyn Kelleher

Thirty-three years to the day after Richard Noseworthy played in the first Western/Central Massachusetts Division III Superbowl game another Noseworthy will be vying for the title.

Richard will be one of many fathers sitting in the stands during Saturday's football game, but not only will he be watching his son take the field, he will also be remembering the title he helped bring back to Oakmont Regional High School.

"He used to read the yearbooks," Richard said of his 16-year-old son, Tyler. "I always hoped he'd experience the spirit of the school."

Richard played offense for the Spartans serving as their wingback during the 1973 season. Tyler plays cornerback for the team this year, and like his father wears the number 21 on his jersey.

Five days before the game Tyler said he was still calm and just preparing, while Richard said he was raring to get out on the field himself.

"The coaches have brought the team together," Richard said.

Most of the teammates have played together for many years on the local Pop Warner teams.

Richard hopes his son can take away the same type of memories from the Superbowl that he still has of that December game.

"You remember everything about it," said the 50-year-old Ashburnham resident. "It's such a big moment in time.

"I remember that Leominster played before us," he said.

He said Leominster won their game and made a tunnel for the Oakmont players to run through as they took the field to defeat Mohawk.

"We could share the joy together," Richard said.

The Spartans have played in seven bowl games since 1973 with a 4-3 record in those games. The team lost in its most recent bowl appearance in 1994.

M i t c h Anderson, 45, of Westminster, is another Oakmont S u p e r b o w l c h a m p i o n , who will be watching his son take the field. Kyle Anderson, a senior, plays both quarterback and free safety for the Spartans.

Kyle is feeling the emotions as he prepares to compete in the superbowl 28 years after his father did.

"It's a really neat thing," he said.

Mitch only played football for one year on the high school level. He played split end and served as a kicker during his senior year.

"Coach (Dave) LaRoche got me back into it," he said. "He was looking for players to go out. I liked the way he kept egging me on."

The team beat Southbridge High School 18-6 that year at Doyle Field in Leominster to bring home the title, recalled Mitch.

"It was (LaRoche's) second year coaching," Mitch said. "His first year I didn't play and he went undefeated. We lost one game that year. It is similar in that respect to this year."

Mitch said he didn't expect his son to take to football like he did.

"He has a lot of drive," Mitch said. "He seems to have the football instincts. I was more of a basketball player, more like my older son, Nate."

Both Nate and Kyle Anderson played on the Spartans basketball team that made it to the state finals in 2004.

"I like hitting people," Kyle said of his love of football. "There is usually a big crowd at the game. I like to play with them there. You can play on emotion."