1,193 yards: Senior QB leads Mansfield to top of Division 3

Mansfield High School football is back at the top of the MIAA Division 3 power rankings thanks to a senior quarterback who spent the previous year waiting for his opportunity. Gio Scarpellini has guided the Hornets to a 6-1 start this season. He has thrown for 1,193 yards and nine touchdowns. He has also rushed for 334 yards and seven touchdowns.

Scarpellini played quarterback for his entire life. However, Tommy Vallett, who is now at Assumption University, held the starting role last year. Because Vallett was a strong player, Scarpellini mixed in at linebacker during the 2025 season. He also served as the backup long snapper. "I was the backup long snapper last year and I never thought I would be there," Scarpellini said.

The dual-threat athlete stayed active while waiting for the reins. In the spring, he pitched for the baseball team. He recorded a complete-game victory against Milford. He described the experience as fun and credited the coaching staff for keeping him in the right roles.

Coach Mike Redding has coached Scarpellini for six or seven years. Scarpellini said Redding knows everything about the program and places players in positions that fit their skills, even if those positions are new to them. "He’s had everything. He’s been coaching for so long. He knows everything in and out," Scarpellini said.

The Hornets average 328 yards per game and 26.7 points per game. They have secured impressive wins over Bridgewater-Rayham and Canton. Their only loss came in a 28-27 decision against North Attleboro in a close league matchup.

Mansfield is preparing to finish the regular season against King Philip. King Philip eliminated the Hornets in the second round of the playoffs last year. This will be the fourth playoff meeting between the two schools in the last 10 years. Scarpellini noted that King Philip beat them pretty good last year, but the team is excited for a different outcome this time.

The team’s preparation has been rigorous. Scarpellini said the entire offensive line and many skill players attended morning lifting sessions throughout the summer. "This is why we play football for games like this," he said. The squad expects a tight race with North Attleboro and King Philip for the top spot.

Scarpellini plans to study business in college and enroll in ROTC. Before that, he wants to cap his career with a championship. He described the season as a great experience for him and his teammates under Coaches Redding and Chris Hall.