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Wellesley Football shuts out Norwood, remains undefeated

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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor

After a 10-7 victory in a low-scoring defensive battle last Friday night at Walpole (2-4), the Wellesley High football team hit the road on Saturday afternoon to visit Norwood looking to remain unbeaten.

The Raiders (6-0, 4-0) prevailed 27-0 over the Mustangs behind a spectacular effort from wideout Brendan Dolan (seven receptions, 151 yards, two touchdowns) as well as shutdown defensive play throughout.

After stopping the Mustang offense on Norwood’s opening possession, the Raiders got the ball back and made quick work to get ahead on the scoreboard. On Wellesley’s second play from scrimmage, quarterback Jack Tishman hit Dolan on a 66-yard catch and run to the end zone. Dolan added the extra point to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead midway through the first.

Norwood’s next possession was put to a quick halt thanks to a diving interception by cornerback Isaac Weycker inside Mustang territory. Tishman would hit Dolan for a 30-yard touchdown three plays into the ensuing Wellesley drive to put the Raiders up 13-0 (extra point attempt unsuccessful).

“He’s a heck of a player,” said Wellesley head coach Jesse Davis of Dolan following the victory. “When you’ve got a guy with a supreme set of skills like Dolan has, you look for ways to get him the ball and make plays. He competed his tail off today.”

Each team traded scoreless drives until two minutes left in the first half when the efforts of linebacker Jason Maiona (two sacks) and defensive tackle Gus St. Fort forced the Mustangs to punt from deep in their own territory.

On the second play of the ensuing Wellesley possession, Tishman hit Jason Maiona on a 40-yard pass to take the ball down inside the Norwood 10-yard line, giving the Raiders a first and goal just before halftime. Full back Grant Chryssicas would punch the ball in from three yards out with just under 30 seconds remaining to give Wellesley a 20-0 halftime advantage.

The Raider defense continued to lockdown the Mustang offense throughout the entire second half, including a goal line stand on Norwood’s first possession of the second half following a fumbled kickoff by Wellesley deep in their own territory.

Geo Reynaud added a one-yard score late in the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 27-0, a score that would turn final and give the Raiders their sixth win of the year.

“Getting out to a fast start was big,” said Davis. “We’re not used to playing late in the afternoon on Saturdays so that took a little bit of adjusting for our guys in terms of preparation throughout the week, but it was good that we were able to get some points up on the board early and control the tempo of the game. I’m proud of the way our guys competed and it resulted in a good win.”

The Raiders will travel to face Milton (6-1) in a Friday night in a game of massive playoff implications, as a win over the Wildcats would clinch the Bay State Conference’s Herget Division for Wellesley.

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