Often overlooked but undaunted, here are five CMass football players set to make impact in state semifinals

The Clinton, Grafton, Hudson, Uxbridge and West Boylston football teams take the field Friday or Saturday for state semifinal games, seeking to procure a coveted Super Bowl berth at Gillette Stadium.

They’ve gotten this far with shrewd coaches and dynamic difference makers, of course, but also dependable players who have often been overlooked by football followers despite their meaningful contributions.

So let’s sing the praises of one unsung helmeted hero (of many) on the Gaels, Gators, Hawks, Spartans and Lions.

Braden Cammuso, Uxbridge

Cammuso is a high-character, low-maintenance player.

A three-year starter at cornerback who stepped into the backfield with the first-team offense this fall, Cammuso soon found himself splitting reps at running back with speedy sophomore Cam LaChapelle.

The senior took it all in stride, making the most of his offensive opportunities.

“Talking about his character is really what shines the most with Braden,” coach Matt Blood said. “Obviously, he’s a hard worker, and I’ve said that before, but the character to accept and never give up a role.

“Braden, some games he got as many, maybe more (carries) than Cam, some games he got less. But he always gave us everything he had.”

Cammuso is still giving it all for the undefeated Spartans.

Now, though, his contributions come in the form of guidance and encouragement from the sideline after breaking his collarbone following an impressive run in a Division 7 first-round win over Oxford.

To that point, Cammuso had compiled 517 yards, five TDs and multiple, critical first downs on 81 carries, 10 receptions, 39 points, 10 tackles, a pair of interceptions — giving him 11 career varsity picks — and a sack.

“He’s kind of one of those guys who has stats in a lot of areas,” Blood said. “And they may not be major stats (number-wise), but the breadth of them is there.

Cammuso will attend Brandeis University, where he’ll continue his baseball career. The Judges are getting a standout student-athlete.

“He’s a very sincere kid and not someone, as a coach, we have to worry about,” Blood said. “And he’s going to do all the right things off the field. He’s a great student and a good contributor to the school community.”

Austin McCormick, Grafton

The Gators have gotten better and better as the season has progressed, and the same is true of McCormick.

The 5-foot-10, 250-pound junior is a first-year starter who is deployed on the defensive and offensive lines, both of which have been the bedrock of this perennial powerful pigskin program’s run to a third straight Division 4 state semifinal.

“He’s figured out his role on the team and his role on the defensive line,” coach Chris McMahon said. “He’s one of those kids who is just relentless. He keeps coming at you and coming at you.”

McCormick was disruptive and elusive from his D-tackle position in the Gators’ quarterfinal win over Marblehead.He made a team-high 11 tackles, to boost his season total to 53½ — an impressive number for an interior lineman — and recorded two sacks, giving him seven (and counting).

“He had a great game last week,” McMahon said. “He does a lot of things for us. He’s a kid who doesn’t necessarily get a lot of attention, but he’s a good football player.”

McCormick has teamed with senior Riley McCann and fellow juniors Chase Dimond and James Hanna to form a formidable front four.

The work he’s put in on the practice field and in the weight room has led to his shining under the Friday night lights.

“He’s what you want in a high school lineman for sure,” McMahon said. “The kid works so hard, so I’m not surprised he’s playing well just based on who he is and the work he puts in. He’s done a great job."

Henry Murphy, West Boylston

Murphy has incrementally progressed up the proverbial ladder during his four seasons with the Lions.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound offensive lineman played on the junior varsity team as a freshman and sophomore before serving in a reserve role last fall as the Lions went 11-2 and hoisted the Division 7 Super Bowl championship trophy at Gillette Stadium.

Now he’s a starting tackle for the Lions, who will take a 10-0 record into Saturday night’s D8 state semifinal against Cathedral.

“He put his time in and worked his way up,” coach Mike Ross said. “He spotted in last year, and now he’s a starter. He’s become a very solid offensive tackle.”

Murphy, who attends Tahanto Regional, which co-ops with West Boylston, has displayed strength, stamina, skill and smarts while helping pave the way for a run-first offense that is averaging a Central Mass.-best 44.7 points per game.

“He isn’t that big, but he moves well, and he always makes the right block,” Ross said. “He doesn’t mess up his assignments; doesn’t make many mistakes. He’s just a kid you want to coach.”

Murphy, who gets reps at defensive tackle from time to time, is part of an offensive line that includes two returning starters in senior guards Jake O’Brien and Brian Smith, along with a pair of first-year starters in senior center Cam Gosselin and junior tackle Jon Jameson.

“They’ve all done well,” Ross said.

Troy Weihn, Clinton

Weihn is personable, positive and, when it comes to football, professional.

“He’s just been wonderful to have on the team,” coach Justin Ball said. “All the kids love him. He has one of those personalities where you can’t help but love the kid.

“Always smiling — except on the field. When he snaps the helmet on it becomes business”

The Gaels have certainly been grinning while galloping to the Division 7 state semifinals.

Weihn, a senior who has been a part of the Clinton program since his freshman year, is a two-year starter who lines up at split end and strong safety.

The Gaels run the ball — a lot — but Weihn has maximized his opportunities when senior quarterback Matt Phillips airs it out. He’s averaged 20 yards on his four receptions with three going for touchdowns.

The highlight undoubtedly was a 40-yard TD grab in the fourth quarter against Bay Path, a D6 state qualifier, that tied the score in a game the Gaels went on to win, 28-20.

“It was a fantastic catch against Bay Path, which is a pretty decent team,” Ball said. “Matt Phillips, our QB, just unloaded it, and Troy went up for it in the end zone and came down with it.”

Weihn has also displayed his ball skills on defense, intercepting two passes while making 25 tackles.

“He’s really come to play this year,” Ball said. “He’s a real good football player, but he’s that much better of a person. He’s just the nicest kid you’d ever want to meet.”

Cam Yates, Hudson

Dependability, versatility and selflessness have defined Yates — particularly on offense — in his first season as a two-way starting lineman.

The 6-foot, 210-pound junior started at tackle in Week 1 before being shifted to guard as the coaching staff tinkered with the deployment of the road graders/pocket protectors. Then, on a day’s notice due to injury, Yates stepped in at center for the Hawks’ win over Lynnfield that propelled them to the Division 4 state semifinals.

“He never misses a beat and always seems to be in the right place at the right time,” coach Zac Attaway said. “And we ask him to move from one spot to another, he never asks questions. He just does it, and that’s what you look for in a player right there.”

Yates, who was a swing player last season, had experience as a center, but hadn’t played the position in a couple of years when he was tabbed to step in at one of the most critical positions on offense.

“He jumped right in and picked up where he left off,” coach Attaway said. “We knew he was the guy for the job because he’s been (moving and adjusting) for us all year.”

Yates, whom Attaway praised for his leadership qualities, is part of an O-line includes senior captain J.J. Senske and fellow juniors Damian Chaves, Brandon Figueiredo and Damien Voss.

His strength lies in his technique.

“He has great feet on the line, does a great job of using his hands and knows how to get leverage on a bigger body,” Attaway said of Yates, who also starts at defensive tackle.

—Contact Rich Garven at rgarven@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @RichGarvenTG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: These 5 unsung CMass football players can make impact in state semifinals