[ccfic caption-text format="plaintext"]
By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
Following a 43-22 victory over Hingham in the first round of the MIAA Division 1A South playoffs on October 29, the Wellesley High football team returned to the gridiron on Saturday afternoon to take on six-seeded Bridgewater-Raynham in the South Semifinals.
Despite a spectacular defensive effort against the Trojans (6-3), the 2-seed Raiders (8-1) fell 9-0 to Bridgewater-Raynham on Saturday, thus ending their hopes of a Super Bowl.
Even while the Raiders and Trojans had multiple trips to the red zone throughout Saturday’s tilt, each team’s defensive efforts thwarted any type of scoring during the first half.
After a series of scramble runs by quarterback Jack Tishman set the Raiders up in the red zone midway through the second quarter, an interception at the 10-yard line kept the Raiders off the scoreboard and the game scoreless.
The Trojans then moved the ball into Wellesley territory on their ensuing offensive possession, but a fumble caused and recovered by Brendan Dolan got the Raiders the ball back with 2:20 left to play in the half. Despite getting the ball back with good field position, the Raiders were unable to capitalize with points and were forced to a three-and-out. BR quickly moved the ball deep into Raider territory after a long catch and run, but an interception in the end zone by Isaac Weycker kept the Trojans off the scoreboard and the game scoreless at the half.
Bridgewater-Raynham received the opening kickoff of the second half and drew first blood with a 40-yard field goal by George Lampros following a 55-yard run by Shawn Noel Jr. to put BR in the red zone.
Jack Tishman’s interception deep in Raider territory put an end to Wellesley’s ensuing drive and the Trojans capitalized with a touchdown three plays into their possession following the turnover. Josh Cohen blocked Bridgewater-Raynham’s PAT following the touchdown, keeping the deficit at 9-0.
Like all good teams do, Wellesley stayed composed and put together a long, sustainable drive that went deep into Trojan territory on their ensuing possession following the BR touchdown. A 32-yard completion from Tishman to Jason Maiona set the Raiders up inside the Trojan 30-yard line. However, the Raiders were unable to convert their long drive into any type of points and turned the ball over on downs at the 18-yard line with 2:53 to play in the third quarter.
Bridgewater-Raynham went on a long clock-killing drive on their next possession, bringing the ball down inside the Wellesley five-yard line. A goal line stand by the Raider defense gave Wellesley the ball back in a must-score/onside-kick situation in order to keep their postseason alive with 5:47 remaining in the game. After moving the ball up the field and into Trojan territory, a fumble at the 50-yard line put a halt to the Raider drive with just over three minutes to play. Bridgewater-Raynham took over possession, picked up a first down on the ground via a handoff to Noel Jr. and knelt to the 9-0 victory.
Following the loss, Wellesley head coach Jesse Davis gave credit to Bridgewater Raynham and wished the Trojans the best of luck in the South Finals next week against King Phillip.
“That’s a good football team, they made a few more plays then we did,” said Davis. “They’re a tough team with a solid defense, so we wish them the best of luck.”
Davis also said there is still work to be done before the season is over for the Raiders.
“We’ve got to get back to work, we’ve got more football left to go.”
Wellesley travels to face Needham on November 24 in their annual Turkey Day rivalry match.
