BROOKLINE — All summer time lengthy, Joseph McCauley couldn’t wait to begin his senior marketing campaign.
In his staff’s first recreation of the 2023 season, the wait gave the impression to be value it. The Richmond-bound QB completed 7-for-10 passing for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns, together with a game-clinching 60-yard strike to junior Dominic Wadland with 2:20 remaining, as Dexter Southfield (1-0) opened its season with an exhilarating 28-20 victory over fellow NEPSAC Class B powerhouse Kingswood Oxford (CT).
McCauley additionally ran for 34 yards and a 3rd landing.
After Dexter Southfield drove to the 40-yard-line on its opening possession, McCauley discovered his group dealing with third-and-long. The senior quarterback uncorked a rocket of a move down the sideline, hitting Michael Bonsu in stride for a 60-yard landing to open a 7-0 lead with 7:33 to play within the opening body.
Kingswood Oxford (0-1) senior quarterback Nathan Bowes marched his staff proper again downfield, then capped a drive with a 10-yard landing scamper of his personal because the Wyverns made it 7-6 with 2:58 to play within the first quarter.
That rating held till Bowes plunged into the top zone on a 1-yard keeper as time expired within the half. Stephen Bailey then hit Rhandyn Bair for a two-point move, and Kingswood Oxford had a 14-7 lead on the break.
After McCauley tied the rating with a 10-yard landing run with 7:22 left within the third quarter, Kingswood Oxford was compelled to punt on its subsequent possession.
Alex Saunders ran for a 2-yard landing to open the fourth quarter, as Dexter Southfield regained the lead at 20-14 with 11:56 to play.
Kingswood Oxford was given new life with 3:11 remaining, as Dexter Southfield fumbled on a handoff. Junior Sanford Cloud sprinted 67 yards on a scoop-and-score. When the additional level try failed, the sport was tied at 20-20.
When the protection was giving McCauley a well-recognized look, one he had exploited earlier within the recreation, he known as an audible, dropped again, and fired one towards the sideline for Wadland. The receiver corralled the move, shed a sort out, then shook free for the game-winning play.
“That was awesome,” mentioned McCauley. “It wasn’t what I expected coming into this game. We usually take care of business a little bit quicker, but it felt great. I just wanted to stay calm and cool during all of that, the game-winning drive. Stuff happens. You just have to be smart.”
Darius Day sealed the win for Dexter Southfield with an interception to finish Kingswood Oxford’s closing drive.
Bonsu hauled in three catches for 110 yards and a rating for Dexter Southfield, whereas Quinn Carver added 144 yards speeding.
Bowes completed 14-for-18 with 146 yards passing to go together with 56 yards speeding and two touchdowns for Kingswood Oxford.
“I think we’ve known all along that (Kingswood Oxford) is a very talented team,” mentioned Dexter Southfield coach Casey Day. “They’ve got great guys up front, they do a great job coaching staff-wise. The quarterback is obviously a kid who can beat you with his legs, beat you with his arm. I think they could run the table. Like I said to a couple of their kids after the game: ‘Go win the rest of them, and maybe we can have a rematch in the bowl game.’”
Source: www.bostonherald.com