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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The Dover-Sherborn High football team suffered a tough 34-0 defeat at the hands of third-seeded Archbishop Williams (5-2) in the first round of the Division 3A South Sectional Playoffs.
A stout first-quarter defensive effort by the Raiders (3-5, 1-4) proved not to be enough as the Bishops scored 34 unanswered points in the final three quarters to knock DS out of the postseason.
Tyler Sebastian led the Raiders in receiving with six catches on the night. Despite not putting any points on the board, senior quarterback Eric Levine kept the Bishop defense on their toes and forced ABW to respect his duel threat ability as both a runner and a passer, converting multiple third downs with legs. Running back Holden Ferrari ran well between the tackles and had several strong speed runs to the outside to keep the ball in the hands of the Raiders.
The Raiders held the Bishops off the scoreboard through one quarter of play thanks to strong tackling and pass rushing by linebackers Jeremy Craig and Jack Mahoney.
ABW drew first blood with less than five minutes remaining in the first half with a 20-yard touchdown pass and successful two-point attempt to go up 8-0. The Bishops forced the Raiders to a three-and-out on the ensuing DS possession and capitalized with a four-yard touchdown run in the final minute of quarter two to go up 14-0 at the half.
Despite playing extremely tough on the defensive side of the ball following halftime, the Raiders surrendered three second-half touchdowns and failed to muster up any points on offense, as ABW pulled away midway through the fourth quarter after going ahead 34-0.
The Raiders will host Rockland in a consolation game next weekend before ending their season with the annual rivalry match with Medfield on Thanksgiving.
