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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
A win for the Walpole High football team in their annual Turkey Day rivalry game with Weymouth would have claimed the Rebels (6-5) a share of the Bay State Conference Herget Division title, along with Milton. Unfortunately, it was a history-making day for Weymouth, as the Wildcats (3-8) stunned the Rebels via a second half shutout for a 35-14 victory. The win marked Weymouth’s first victory in the series since 2011.
Junior quarterback Will Jarvis gave the Rebels an early 7-0 lead with a touchdown scramble, but a 10-yard touchdown run by Seth Mullen on Weymouth’s ensuing possession tied the game at seven. The Weymouth defense forced Walpole to punt on its next series before Christian Quinn dashed 54 yards to the end zone to give Weymouth its first lead of the contest at 14-7 with 5:00 to play in the half.
Jarvis crafted a perfect response for Walpole, leading the Rebels down the field before hooking up with Andrew White with just over two minutes to play in the half to tie the game at 14. However, Danny Picard responded right back for Weymouth, hooking up with Diondre Ellis for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 31 seconds to play in the quarter to give the Wildcats a seven-point halftime lead at 21-14.
After Walpole stuffed a Weymouth fake punt attempt to begin the second half, the Wildcats forced a turnover on downs at their own 34-yard-line to preserve the seven-point edge. On the first play of the ensuing series, Quinn took the handoff and dashed 66 yards up the middle for his second touchdown of the day to make it 28-14 Weymouth at the end of three.
The Rebels forced a turnover on downs deep in their own territory to begin the fourth quarter, but an interception gave the Wildcats back the ball deep in Walpole territory. Quinn hammered the nail into the coffin with a 20-yard touchdown run three plays later to make it a 21-point lead for the Wildcats.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter at @fLAno0.