MILTON – While Milton is usually recognized for its prolific offense, Friday night time its protection advised the story.
Ben Caledonia got here by means of with a vital interception on the purpose line whereas Milton’s protection pressured 4 turnovers because the Wildcats knocked off previously-unbeaten Needham, 10-9, on Friday night time at Brooks Field.
Milton held Needham to simply 1-of-5 contained in the pink zone.
“Our defense showed what they are made of tonight,” Milton coach Steve Dembowski stated. “It was pretty impressive what they did.”
Needham (4-1) entered the fourth quarter trailing 10-0 however trimmed the deficit to a area purpose when Griffin Carr fired a 13-yard landing cross to Spencer Chapman with 8:38 remaining. After the Rockets protection pressured a 3 and out, that they had a pair of alternatives to go for the game-winning drive.
Their first try made its approach contained in the Needham 25-yard line largely resulting from a pair of receptions by Chapman. On third down and 6, Caledonia got here by means of with the play of the sport because the Wildcats’ defensive again picked off a Carr cross on the purpose line to maintain the Wildcats on high.
Moments later, nevertheless, the Rockets obtained one other alternative with two minutes remaining as a security pulled the guests to inside 10-9 and compelled a free kick. Needham bought to the Milton 34 with 15 seconds left however an intentional grounding penalty all however ended the Rockets hopes of a comeback.
“Our defense has been fantastic and is always unsung when you run a spread offense,” Dembowski stated. “We had some mistakes that cost us offensively. I have to do a better job coaching that up. But we were resilient tonight.”
Needham hampered itself with turnovers. On its first two possessions of the sport the Rockets discovered themselves on the purpose line just for an errant snap and a ball out of the again of the top zone to derail the drives. Then, on its third possession, the Rockets fumbled after it labored its approach throughout midfield.
The second turnover led to factors. After gaining possession through the touchback, Milton confronted a fourth down by itself 39. The hosts, nevertheless, labored a faux punt to perfection with Harrison Hinckle sprinting 25 yards off an finish round. Then, after Miller related with Ferris Collins for 34 yards, the senior captain discovered Sammon for a two-yard rating to offer Milton a 7-0 lead.
Aidan Rowley gave the Wildcats some respiratory room with a 34-yard area purpose to place Milton on high 10-0 on the intermission.
Source: www.bostonherald.com