October 25, 2022 Submitted By Kevin Riordan
The 6th Graders faced their toughest battle of the season as they fought off a late challenge from the Barnstable Silver Bullets on Sunday. Throughout the game the Raiders formidable defense would bend but never break continually frustrating Barnstable’s offense. Electing to kick off to start the game the defense led by tackles from Brayden Huber and John Peterson forced a quick turnover on downs bringing the Raiders offense onto the field. With QB Hudson Garrity at the helm, tight end Brayden Huber hauled in a pass for a first down at the Barnstable 23 yard line. From the shotgun QB Garrity cut back and followed his blockers Frank Cavagnaro, Emery Olin and Declan O’Connell to sprint for the touchdown. On the extra point Hudson ran behind Will Berkely to take the 8-0 first quarter lead. Barnstable began moving the ball on offense but the drive was thwarted by tackles from Berkeley and Shamus Devine to force a turnover on downs.
RB Jack Hart rushed for a first down to midfield where QB Garrity faked the handoff and rushed up the middle breaking tackles for a 48 yard touchdown. Taking the inside handoff, Jack Hart powered his way behind Declan O’Connell for the PAT and 16-0 lead. Andrew Nolan executed the onside kick that was alertly recovered by Cam Forger and the Raiders offense took over at the 49 yard line. Going to the air, QB Garrity connected with Brayden Huber for a 17 yard gain and then rolled left where Shamus Devine split three defenders for a 16 yard first down catch. Unfortunately Barnstable forced a fumble and took over at the 17 yard line. Welcomed back after recovering from an injury, Cam Forger had a big day at safety by popping the wide receiver just as the ball got there resulting in a key incompletion. The defense dug in as Cavagnaro, Duncan Wilder, Andy Gerlach and Graham Staples made a goal line stand tackle as time ran out in the first half preserving a 16-0 lead.
Opening the second half the Raiders began to air it out as QB Garrity completed passes to his steady targets TE Shamus Devine and Brayden Huber to set up a first and goal. On the run pass option Garrity rolled right and threw a dart to Shamus Devine in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown. Garrity connected with Huber for the point after to go up 24-0. The defense held steady as Duncan Wilder and Preston Kirley made tackles to force a 4th and goal, but Barnstable muscled there way into the end zone for a touchdown to cut the lead to 24-8. Making things interesting in the 4th quarter, on first down Hingham fumbled the ball which Barnstable recovered at the 32 yard line. The defense would not break as Neil Deininger broke up two pass attempts and tackles from Cavagnaro, Peterson and Devine forced a 3rd and long. Feeling the pressure from Berkeley and Wilder, Barnstable’s QB threw a deep pass that was intercepted by Hudson Garrity who returned it 40 yards to put this one away for the 24-8 victory and remain unbeaten at 7-0.
