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R. Antonucci leads Westwood football to state semifinals

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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor

On a night when they were without two of arguably their biggest difference makers in wideout Jake Antonucci and linebacker Dylan Linehan due to injury, the Westwood High football team persevered through adversity and outmatched Silver Lake Regional (Kingston) 36-20 in the MIAA Division 2A South Semifinals.

Dylan Mahoney (35) wraps up the New Bedford quarterback for a sack. Photo by Paul Goldburg

Dylan Mahoney (35) wraps up the New Bedford quarterback for a sack. Photo by Paul Goldburg

The clear MVP for the Wolverines (7-2) in this game was tailback and cornerback, Rob Antonucci (three touchdowns, one forced fumble, one interception). Antonucci came out onto the field on Friday night sporting the number 22 in honor of his injured brother, Jake. Wideout Kevin Hession was also spotted wearing the number 10 in honor of the injured Linehan.

Quarterback Reed Wilson got the scoring party started for Westwood early with a touchdown pass to Antonucci to put the Wolverines up 6-0 (two-point try unsuccessful).

Silver Lake responded with a scoring drive to knot the game at six, but Nick Abbatangelo gave Westwood back the lead with a long touchdown run (two-point attempt by Antonucci successful) as the Wolverines went ahead 14-6.

Antonucci added his second score of the game off of a check down out of the backfield from Wilson (successful two-point attempt), and the Wolverines were up 22-6 at the half.

Silver Lake failed to go down quietly, however, and fought back with two scoring drives and a successful two-point attempt to begin the second half, cutting the Westwood lead to 22-20.

Rob Antonucci (or “Nooch,” as he is referred to by the Westwood student section) recorded his third touchdown of the game on a run up the middle near the end of the third quarter to put Westwood up 28-20 (unsuccessful two-point attempt).

After going up by eight, the Wolverine defense stood up to the challenge and shut down the Silver Lake offense for the remainder of the game, highlighted by a forced fumble and interception by Antonucci. The Wolverines added another score and successful two-point try late to go up 14 points at 36-22, putting the game on ice.

Westwood now advances to the D2A South Division Finals where they will have to travel to the cape to take on Falmouth. A win over the Clippers next Friday night would clinch a Super Bowl berth for the Wolverines against the winner of the North Division (Marblehead vs. North Reading).

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