Ryan Puntiri knew when he took over at Braintree in 2021 it wasn’t the same program he was a part of as an assistant coach 15 years prior, when the Wamps won back-to-back state titles.

Braintree wasn’t in dire straits by any means, but had experienced lulls. Puntiri took the helm with a clear mission in mind of guiding Braintree back to prominence.

That’s been far from an easy task, especially when playing in the always challenging Bay State Conference. But the success this season is further proof that Braintree is on its way to achieving that high-level objective.

“The expectations have just certainly changed,” Puntiri said. “It’s been a grind. I told them flat out up front … ‘It’s going to be a grind that we’re going to have to put Braintree back on the map, so to speak, and we’re goi

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