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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
There are plenty of things to look forward to once September hits: pumpkin spiced lattes, sweaters, apple picking, etc. For sports fans, however, September means the return of Friday night lights and the boys of fall.
On Friday, the Medfield Warriors (1-0) and Dedham Marauders (0-1) took to the gridiron under the lights at Medfield High School to kick off their season in a non-conference matchup.
The Warriors started their season on a winning note, and christened the new turf at Medfield High with a 21-6 victory.
Sophomore running back Mitchell Gonser put on an early show for the home crowd, running one in from two yards out to put Medfield up 7-0 with 3:16 remaining in the first quarter.
Gosner again found the end zone with 9:02 to play in the second quarter after Ryan Eamer scrambled out of the pocket and fired a strike to Gosner on a seam route from nine yards out, putting the Warriors ahead 14-0.
The Warrior defense was stout throughout the game’s entirety, allowing just two first downs in the entire first half. Medfield entered the half up two touchdowns.
After surrendering a touchdown to Dedham late in the third quarter to cut the lead to 14-6, the Warriors punched in a score of their own with 3:10 left to play to go up 21-6, putting the game on ice.
Medfield’s ground attack and the intelligence of quarterback Ryan Earner were the clear deciding factors in this game.
Dedham was unable find a way to stop Mitchell Gosner’s dual-threat ability as both a power and shifty style of back. Whenever the Marauders stacked the box in attempts to contain Gosner between the trenches, Earner had the football intelligence to audible out of the initial play call and get the ball to one of his outside receivers or feed it to Gosner for an outside run.
A strong running game and an intelligent quarterback are two essential pieces of winning football games at any level, and these two positive attributes were put on full display by Medfield on Friday evening with the stellar play of Gosner and Earner.
The Warriors return to action next Friday night in a non-conference matchup against Winthrop.
