Proud Panthers: Plymouth South football will send two players to Shriners game

PLYMOUTH – Two cornerstones of the Plymouth South football program have been selected for one final chance to represent their high school on the gridiron.

Seniors Stephen Kirchdorfer and Justin LaChance will play on the South roster in the Shriners All-Star Football Classic, which takes place on Friday, June 14 on the campus of Bentley University in Waltham.

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The annual game will bring together the top high school football players in Massachusetts from the Class of 2024 to help raise money for the Aleppo Shriners charity.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be invited to play in the Shriners game. Players are chosen not only for their ability on the football field, but also for what kind of people they are. There’s always a long list of players nominated for the game, so to make the final Shriners roster is a big honor,” said Plymouth South head coach Darren Fruzzetti.

Fruzzetti said Kirchdorfer and LaChance are both great football players and tremendous leaders in the football program. Kirchdorfer was a multiple season starting offensive guard for the Panthers and LaChance was a do-it-all type of a player on offense, defense, as well as special teams.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to play in this football game. I’m getting the chance to compete with and against some of the best football players and coaches in the state,” said LaChance. “I’m super excited about playing. It’s been a little while now since my last football game and I’ve missed it.”

Both players were Patriot League all-stars and MHSFCA Division 3 All-State first team selections in their senior season.

“Stephen is a kid who has worked hard at his craft and in the process made himself into a great football player. Offensive linemen have kind of a thankless position that doesn’t get a lot of the glory, but he worked his way to become a very good one. He got to that level because of his hard work and dedication,” said Fruzzetti. “He’s earned everything that has come his way.”

LaChance is coming off a senior season where he ran for 695 yards and scored 15 touchdowns on offense and had 42 tackles as well as an interception on defense as a safety.

“Justin’s a very talented football player and also a tremendous leader in the football program. He always set the right example and you got the absolute best from his every day in practice and in the games,” Fruzzetti said.

Once the Shriners game is done, both LaChance and Kirchdorfer will have the rest of the summer to begin the process of getting ready for their shot at playing college football.

Kirchdorfer is on his way to Assumption College as a business major.

LaChance recently signed his letter of intent to attend Franklin Pierce University where he will major in biology.

“I liked the vibe of the football program when I went up there for a visit. The coaches were great,” said Lachance.

Fruzzetti expects both players will find success at the college level.

“There are only a handful of high school athletes that have a chance to play in college and that number gets much smaller of those who can do it for all four years. Stephen and Justin are two who could make it to the end,” he said. “They’re both disciplined and will continue to grow as members of a college football program.”

Email the reporter at dwolcott@wickedlocal.com and you can follow him on Twitter, @DavidWolcott1.