AB Colonials Extend Thanksgiving Win Streak, End on a High Note

  It was a festive atmosphere on Thanksgiving as the annual Acton-Boxborough Colonials vs. Westford Grey Ghosts football game played out. Parents, students and alumni from both teams came out to support the team.

What Happened:

1st Quarter:

            AB won the toss, and elected to defer. On the first offensive play for the Grey Ghosts, Westford Academy quarterback Troy Faretra (#8) to Ben Rodman (#20). Rodman made an inside run, juked out to the left and went all the way for a touchdown. Just twenty seconds in, the Colonials were down 7-0 with 10:40 left in the first quarter.

The Colonials came back on offense, mixed up the formations (wing, I formation, tripps) but ultimately Jack Perry (#15) fumbled the ball from a completed catch.

On the ensuing defensive possession, however, AB responded. Westford’s run and screen were stopped, so Faretra went to the air. However, senior co-captain Billy Jackman was there, making a beautiful diving interception.

On offense, the Colonials mixed their plays well (although mostly relying on the run). This was the one possession the Colonials showed Wildcat. With a good mix of run and pass plays (including a slant pass to Euele), AB were in the red zone as the 1st quarter came to end 7-0 Grey Ghosts.

2nd quarter:

The Colonials came out, and after a fourth down run from senior co-captain had a 1st and goal. Adgate would then punch it in on 1st and goal (9:53 left in the quarter), and with Jack Perry’s extra point, the Colonials tied the game at 7-7.

Westford, however, would respond.  Using a mix of runs, screens, and downfield throw, Faretra would ultimately score on a quarterback keeper with 6:38 (extra point good), putting the Grey Ghosts back on top 14-7.  

Billy Jackman had a nice punt return bringing the ball out to the 45 yard line. Using a mix of runs with the backs as Adgate, Dan Joyce, and Will Tejeda, and a penalty by Westford Academy, the Colonials had the ball on the two yard line. Quarterback Hunter Arnold would then call his own number and score on a quarterback sneak with 1:23 to go in the game (extra point good by Jack Perry).

Again though, AB’s defense faltered. Faretra threw a completion to Mount that went for big yardage. Ultimately, the drive ended with a Faretra run (10.73 seconds left) to put the Grey Ghosts up 21-14.

AB valiantly tried to respond with the time they had. Jackman caught a screen and ran thirty yards downfield, but the second quarter ended.

3rd quarter:

The Colonials received the ball as the 3rd quarter started. The drive faltered, and AB made some questionable calls (i.e. running on a 3rd and eight). 

Westford’s Justin Mount (#15) took no time to get going. He played as quarterback, made a fake inside handoff to Rodman, and ran to the outside for a touchdown. With 5:31 left in the 3rd, the game was 28-14 in favor of the Grey Ghosts.

This is when the Colonials’ finally responded as the seniors on the teams really stepped up big. It started with a Billy Jackman screen that went took the Colonials from their own 33 yard line all the way to the 36 yard line of Westford Academy. The drive ended with a beautiful play action pass from Arnold to senior tight end Michael Murphy. With 3:47 to go, the Colonials were down 28-21.

Westford’s first offensive play was a pitch, and the ball was fumbled, and the Colonials recovered. However, the Colonials were not able to move the chains after three downs. On fourth down, the Colonials ran a trick play – calling for a Jack Perry pass play to Zach Adgate out of the punt formation. The play almost worked perfectly but ultimately fell incomplete. That was the first time the Colonials ran that.

Once again, Westford took no time to get going on offense. A delayed handoff went the distance for a touchdown making the score 35-21 with 39.9 seconds left in the third quarter.

But just like before, senior captain Billy Jackman made big plays. Westford kicked the ball away to #48 Nick Clabault who did a nice job of bring the ball to the 38 yard line. Then Zach Adgate had a 1st down run on AB’s first offensive play. That 1st down stopped the clock. AB then ran a tripps right screen to Jackman who went all the way for a touchdown with no time left in the third quarter. After Perry’s good extra point, the Colonials were down 35-28.

4th Quarter:

The Colonials specials teams did a great job at the start off the fourth quarter pinning Westford inside the 30 yard line on the punt return. Quarterback Troy Faretra ran a fake inside handoff for a quarterback keeper himself, however, fumbled the ball on Jackman’s tackle and senior Joe Euele recovered the fumble.

On offense, the Colonials went on to run several run plays using Adgate, Tejeda, and Thomas Sapanaro. Then Hunter Arnold threw a perfect pass to Adgate on the cross route making putting the Colonials within one point.

Again, on the extra point, the Colonials used trickery. The team called a fake kick, pass play. Billy Jackman, the holder, got the ball and found Michael Murphy in the end zone. This two point conversion put the Colonials ahead 36-35. This was a gusty call but proved to be the difference in the game.

On the ensuing punt, the Grey Ghosts fumbled the ball. AB recovered. Using several runs, a timely quarterback sneak, the Colonials had a fourth and five to go with under two minutes left in the game. Hunter Arnold threw a perfect play action pass to Sapanaro. The rest is history. The Colonials had Adgate run the ball for three yards, and then Hunter Arnold kneed the ball to end the game.

Keys to Success: 

AB uses clock well.

• On offense, the Colonials used a good amount of time on their drives. The drives that stand out were the ones in the 1st quarter and the last one in the fourth quarter. Each took just under seven minutes off the clock

Captains step up.

• Billy Jackman and Zach Adgate combined had their best game together. Michael Murphy and Joe Euele also made some key receptions. And senior kicker, Jack Perry was clutch (didn’t miss a field goal and had some great kicks).

Timed QB Sneaks

• Hunter Arnold called his own number for or five times. The result each time: a first down or a touchdown.

Keeping Mount At Bay

• Westford’s best player is #15 Justin Mount. However, the Colonials over the whole game did a great job on him. On defense, the Colonials put Thomas Sapanaro on him instead of lining Sapanaro as a line backer in the box.
• Mount only had three catches in this game.

Defensive turnovers

• The defense stepped up in big situations when the Colonials needed it most. Turnovers were the key.
• With the special teams, AB forced 3 fumbles in the second half and recovered each one.

Conclusion:

The Colonial players ultimately did what they had to do: win. The win makes the Colonials 8-3 (2-2 in the Dual County League).  

It is a great way to end the season for these players. Also, for all the cheerleaders and the band members that are seniors, this was also a great way to end their careers in high school. As a whole, the team worked hard all season long and to end on a high note, was great (especially for the seniors). Turkey always tastes better after a win.

The Thanksgiving Win Streak extends to two years now. This is a terrific football program, the future looks bright (although the team is losing a lot of contributing seniors), and success will continue to come.