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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The Medfield and Dover-Sherborn High football teams capped off a successful 2016 season with a hard fought battle in their annual Thanksgiving rivalry match on Thursday morning, with the Warriors (8-3) prevailing 28-19 behind a strong effort by senior captains James Voss (defensive MVP) and John Quinn (offensive MVP).
The Warriors struck first with 1:19 to play in the first quarter when quarterback Ryan Eamer hooked up with wideout James Voss for a 47-yard catch and run to the end zone to go ahead 7-0.
The Raiders (4-7) were quick to respond as quarterback Eric Levine drove DS down the field and converted a tying score on a 15-yard touchdown pass off of a deflection to freshman wideout Louis Hansen.
Medfield fought back with a score on their next possession when Eamer connected from eight yards out to tight end Henry Mitchell, putting the Warriors back ahead 14-7.
Running back Mason Giunta (33) breaks loose up the sideline for a large Warrior gain early in the second half. Photo by Michael Flanagan
The Warrior defense forced a three-and-out on Dover-Sherborn’s next possession, and Eamer and company found the end zone again with just 1:01 remaining in the half when Eamer hooked up with running back Mason Giunta in the corner of the end zone from seven yards out to go up 20-7 at the half (extra point attempt no good).
Following an injury to quarterback Eric Levine, junior Holden Ferrari took over the reigns under center for the Raiders in the second half. After a scoreless third quarter, Ferrari got the Raiders back to within one score when he found senior tight end Jack Mahoney from eleven yards out to cut the deficit to 20-13 (PAT no good).
Raider defensive end Joe Beninati (56) stuffs Medfield’s Mason Giunta (33) at the line of scrimmage for no gain. Photo by Michael Flanagan
Medfield went back up by two scores on their next possession when Eamer connected with sophomore wideout Mitchell Gonser from 22 yards out (two-point try by Voss successful), and the Warriors were up 28-13 late.
DS failed to go down quietly, however, as Ferrari found Hansen for his second touchdown of the day with 1:15 to play to cut the deficit to 28-19, but an unsuccessful PAT kept it at a two-score game. The Warriors recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt and held on for the 28-19 victory.
