BROOKLINE – As was the case in Dexter Southfield’s final two conferences with the Pingree School, this yr’s recreation wasn’t determined till virtually the very finish.
Unlike the 2 earlier conferences, this time Dexter Southfield got here out on high.
After three lead modifications, Dexter Southfield prevailed over the Highlanders, 32-25, on Saturday.
“It’s always a battle to the end,” stated Dexter Southfield senior Austin Hartsell, who scored two touchdowns, one receiving and one on a kickoff return, and caught a two-point conversion go. “We circle it on our calendar. We have a lot of respect for them. They were our only loss a year ago.”
Dexter-Southfield (7-1) awaits phrase on Sunday a couple of potential berth in a NEPSAC bowl. Pingree completed its season at 5-3.
Dexter Southfield scored twice within the first 4 minutes of the second half to take a 24-19 lead. Four performs after the second half’s opening kickoff, Joe McCauley discovered Darius Day for a 30-yard landing go with 9:43 left within the third quarter. Andrew Leigh’s second of three profitable PATs reduce Pingree’s result in 19-17.
Day picked off a go three gamers later, giving the Shield the ball on the Pingree 33. On the subsequent play, McCauley related with Hartsell on the suitable sideline for a catch-and-run landing, placing Dexter Southfield forward for the primary time because the opening quarter.
“We found our hearts in the locker room,” McCauley stated. “We played better and stopped giving them second and third chances.”
Said Dexter Southfield coach Casey Day, “We came out and made plays. We opened things up. We moved the ball, both in the air and on the ground. On defense we tightened up and focused on the basics.”
Pingree regained the lead on the second play of the fourth quarter when Matthew Theriault took a pitch from quarterback Hudson Weidman and went across the left finish from the 1. On the conversion, Isaac Jones stopped Weidman, holding Pingree’s result in one level, 25-24.
Theriault’’s landing, his second of the day, capped off a 17-play, 76-yard drive that started with 8:32 left within the third quarter.
On the subsequent collection, Dexter Southfield regained the lead when Takai Whitmore broke unfastened for a 40-yard landing run with 7:53 remaining within the fourth. On the conversion, McCauley discovered Hartsell in the suitable nook of the top zone, placing Dexter Southfield up, 32-25.
“We take a lot of pride in our special teams and our kicker is really good,” stated coach Day. “But the two-point conversion was big.”
On Pingree’s subsequent possession, the Highlanders made it to the Dexter Southfield 40, earlier than Alexander Saunders stopped Theriault for no acquire on a fourth-down display screen go with 2:45 left, permitting Dexter Southfield to expire the clock after one first down.
“The last two games we’ve played against them came down to the last 15 seconds,” stated Pingree coach MIke Flynn. “It was a well-played game. The biggest thing is that they came out in the second half looking to win. Casey did a great job rallying them.”
Pingree led, 19-10 on the half. Dexter Southfield’s first possession ended with Leigh kicking a 32-yard discipline purpose.
The Highlanders took the lead on the primary play of the second quarter when Weidman ran 14 yards to the top zone on a quarterback draw.
Pingree added one other landing with 4:18 left within the half when Theriault scored from the 5 on the finish of a 12-play, 53-yard drive. On the following kickoff, Dexter Southfield discovered the top zone for the primary time when Hartsell returned the kick 94 yards.
Pingree restored its two-score benefit earlier than halftime on a 24-yard go from Weidman to Jaylon Richardson. Jesse Susko’s kick made it 19-10 with 43 seconds left within the half.
Source: www.bostonherald.com