SALEM — What began out as a generally ugly defensive slugfest on Friday night time at Bertram Field completed with all of the drama one might stand.
Peabody appeared prefer it was going to cruise to an unbeaten common season and a Northeastern Conference Lynch Division title when it led Salem 20-0 early within the fourth quarter.
Then like a tidal wave, the Witches erupted for 26 fourth-quarter factors. But it was the ultimate two that escaped them which had been the distinction. Devante Ozuna was stopped half a yard brief on a two-point conversion try with no time left, giving Peabody a 27-26 win over their longtime rivals.
“I don’t know how many times Peabody and Salem have played over the years but that has to be one of the best football games contested between these two teams,” Peabody coach Mark Bettencourt mentioned. “That is a very good football team over there in Salem.”
There was no indication a frantic end was on faucet when Reymi Andino returned a fumble for a landing on the second play of the fourth quarter to provide the Tanners (8-0) a three-touchdown lead.
That’s when the Witches’ (6-2) high-flying offense caught fireplace. Salem wanted solely three performs after the fumble return to get on the board as Corey Grimes (17-of-31, 248 yards, 3 TD) hit Quinn Rocco Ryan for a 30 yard rating to make it 20-7.
After a 3 and out by Peabody on the subsequent collection, the Witches saved proper on coming. Grimes and firm wanted solely 90 seconds to march 66 yards and reduce the hole to 20-14 as Ozuna caught a cross alongside the fitting sideline and took it 37 yards for a rating with 6:51 to go.
“Corey is everything we thought he’d be and 25 times more. He is a warrior,” Bettencourt mentioned.
Desperately in want of one thing to stem Salem’s momentum, Peabody tried to bully its technique to the primary downs that will kill the clock. But a false begin and two runs had been adopted by a choose six from Grimes, who took Salem’s third interception of Luke Maglione 34 yards to tie the sport after a missed additional level.
With the Salem crowd in a frenzy, the Tanners tried to drive for a possible successful rating because the clock ticked down. Jaden Roman, nevertheless, had different concepts as he broke free for a 59-yard rating to provide Peabody again the lead with 2:38 left.
Salem tried to reply another time as Ozuna hit Grimes for 34 on a reverse cross to get the drive going. The Witches reached the Peabody 2 earlier than a holding penalty and an incompletion left 4 seconds on the clock and the ball on the 12.
On the ultimate play, Grimes threw up a prayer {that a} leaping Julian Ortiz answered with a spectacular catch that arrange the dramatic conversion try.
“We knew that coach (Matt) Bouchard was going to go for two there. I would have done the same thing. Our guys just made a great play on a great player,” Bettencourt mentioned.
Source: www.bostonherald.com