MATTAPOISETT – While the Apponequet offense was having hassle, the protection was firing on all cylinders.
The Lakers (8-2, 4-0) prevailed 22-3 over rival Old Rochester for the primary time since 2013 within the annual Thanksgiving rivalry recreation that dates to 1978.
With the win, Apponequet picked up the South Coast Conference Blue Division title and completed the division scheduled undefeated.
Apponequet held a slim 8-3 lead into the fourth quarter till linebacker Jackson Moore’s 54-yard interception return took care of the trimmings for the Lakers with 5:14 left to play in regulation. Moore, a transformed operating again, picked off Bulldogs’ quarterback Noah Sommers. Moore went in untouched down the sideline to offer the Lakers the 16-3 lead and all of the cushion they wanted.
“I am thankful for everyone in my family, my whole team, my coaching staff, the feeling was amazing. Words can’t describe,” mentioned the junior Moore, who despatched the seniors dwelling with their first Turkey Bowl victory. “A little bit of luck but it’s huge for (the seniors) and so happy they can go out with a win and Coach (Zane) Fyfe must feel so great.”
Old Rochester (7-3; 3-1) received the ball again at their very own 49-yard line with loads of time to punch in a solution however a backfield fumble was picked up by senior Ethan Brown with 4:07 left within the fourth quarter.
Jackson Gagnier took benefit and went in the long run zone from 29 yards out with 1:39 left for Apponequet to cap off the scoring in a recreation a lot nearer than the ultimate rating indicated.
The Lakers produced solely 96 yards of offense within the first half and had been stopped twice deep in Bulldogs territory for 2 turnovers on downs. This was regardless of having nice area place with a mean line of scrimmage begin from the Bulldogs 47 on their first 4 possessions.
“Both defenses played well, they played tough early on, but we missed a ton of tackles, and they had their big run early on in their first drive,” mentioned Old Rochester head coach Bryce Guilbeault. “It was a great effort, offensively we didn’t execute on offense like we should, but on defense both teams were bringing it. It was tough getting any yards out there.”
Gagnier gave the impression to be the one one to gobble up yards for both workforce because the senior tailback completed his highschool profession with 155 yards on 21 carries, with 63 of the hard-fought yards on solely two carries.
As Guilbeault talked about, Gagnier went for 49 yards on the second play from scrimmage within the recreation for the Lakers to arrange Apponequet’s first landing. Lemieux completed off the drive from one-yard out and Gagnier then trotted in on his 29-yard landing for the sport’s remaining scoop of ice cream on the pie.
Fyfe, at Apponequet since 2015, received his first win within the vacation frenzy just a few weeks after his squad secured their first-ever dwelling playoff win within the Div. 5 playoffs.
“The defenses just played phenomenal. They have a good defense, very well coached, and we knew it was going to be hard to move the ball, and they were going to try and take away what we do well,” mentioned Fyfe. “For the defense to step up, especially right at the end – multiple takeaways – is just awesome. We blew a couple of opportunities for sure but that’s just the game of football.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com