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None of the current players on the Gloucester High School football team were born the last time the Fishermen played in a Super Bowl in Foxboro.

However, as unbeaten Gloucester (12-0) prepares for Saturday's Division 2A Super Bowl against Hingham at Gillette Stadium, it's probably safe to say that this year's players know all about the controversial play that many Gloucester football fans believe cost the Fishermen the Division 2 Super Bowl title 20 years ago. If the players do know about it, they can thank their assistant coach, who had a front seat for the contest.

If Gloucester and Hingham were not going to be on the same field in the Division 2A Super Bowl this Saturday, one may mistaken them for being the same team.

For starters, both teams run the wing-t offense, as well as a similar defensive scheme. The two teams also carry similar mascots | the Fishermen and the Harbormen. Both teams have a stud running back with at least 30 touchdowns | Andrew Fulford for the Fishermen and Chris Constantine for the Harbormen.

Masconomet's season may have ended on a sour note in its 39-0 loss to Gloucester yesterday, but it didn't stop the Chieftains from feeling good about their future.

The Chieftains return five starters on each side of the ball, plus several other underclassmen who saw extended playing time yesterday. Sophomore quarterback Chris Splinter and sophomore running back Evan Bunker figure to be a feared duo for years to come.

LOWELL | In their wildest dreams, the Gloucester Fishermen probably never thought it would be this easy. Behind senior running back Andrew Fulford (117 yards, 5 touchdowns), senior defensive lineman Anthony Enderle (5 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) and some dominant offensive line play, the Fishermen (12-0) thoroughly beat Masconomet (10-2), 39-0 at Cawley Stadium in Lowell and now advance to the Division 2A Super Bowl, Saturday at Gillette Stadium against Hingham (10-7 winners over Seekonk).

3 keys to victory

Masconomet

1. Control field position through special teams. The Chieftains have an excellent kicking game with Nick Salvo on kickoffs and Kevin Anderson punting, and head coach Jim Pugh knows his defense will have a much better chance of slowing the Fishermen if they have a long field. Masco won the special teams battle on Thanksgiving and dominated its matchup with rival North Andover as a result.

GLOUCESTER | In terms of the standings, yesterday's Thanksgiving Day contest between unbeaten Gloucester and winless Danvers meant absolutely nothing.

The Falcons had not tasted success this fall, but an upset victory over their archrivals from Cape Ann would have put a happy ending on an otherwise frustrating season.

GLOUCESTER | In terms of the standings, yesterday's Thanksgiving Day contest between Gloucester and winless Danvers meant absolutely nothing.

But that held very little water with the Northeastern Conference Large champion Fishermen.

Up until three months ago, Gloucester High School junior Dylan Maki was confused about his football future.

After playing on the freshman team in the fall of 2005, the standout student, basketball player and right-handed pitcher wasn't quite sure if football was a good fit.

Where: Newell Stadium, Gloucester

Date: Thursday, Nov. 22

Time: 10 a.m.

Coaches: John Sullivan, Danvers; Paul Ingram, Gloucester.

Captains: Danvers: Chris Martin, Sr. RB/LB; Kevin Keogh, Sr. C/LB; Patrick Hennessey, Sr. OG/DE; Gloucester: Cam Marston, Sr., TE/DE; Andrew Fulford, Sr. RB; Adam Quinn, Sr. OL/DL; Mario Peritore, Sr. OL/DL.

GLOUCESTER | The scenario coming into last night's football game between Gloucester High and Salem High was exactly what November football is all about.

Two teams with postseason aspirations playing in temperatures below 40-degrees at a packed Newell Stadium. Of course, the bulk of those fans in attendance were Fishermen fans and the hometown faithful left the contest very happy thanks to senior running back Andrew Fulford's monster performance (3 first-half touchdowns and a 2-PT conversion).