September 12, 2023 By Kevin Riordan
Back to school brings a new season, new league and an unfamiliar opponent which didn’t deter coach Glenn Forger and staff from continuing their winning ways by dominating Weymouth 24-0. The fickle stormy weather on Sunday forced the game to be called off at halftime with the Raiders comfortably in the lead.
In the opening drive the offense wasn’t flawless, but pretty darn good in a downpour with running back Evan Tomasello ripping off multiple first down runs to set up a first and goal. QB Hudson Garrity ran behind key blocks from Denny Costello, Will Berkeley and Frank Conway to punch it in for the touchdown. On the extra point with the rain pouring down center Grant Riordan and QB Neil Deininger were not able to complete the exchange and the Raiders took early 6-0 lead.
On paper Weymouth was bigger with an imposing running game, but the front line of Duncan Wilder, Shamus Devine, Costello, Berkeley and Brayden Huber stuffed the run and enabled LB’s John Peterson, Andy Gerlach and Daniel Lovendale to make key tackles to force a 4th and long. Duncan Wilder pressured the QB forcing him to throw an interception caught by Hudson Garrity at the 45 yard line. Quickly capitalizing on the turnover, QB Garrity followed the blocks from Ryan Crespi and Shamus Devine bursting upfield for a 45 yard TD run to take a 12-0 lead. The defense had a pack mentality with Peterson, Berkeley, Cam Forger and Lovendale shutting down the run as Jack Hart stripped the ball from the running back which Ryan Crespi and Mason Aframe alertly dove on for the recovery at the 42 yard line.
Taking over on offense in the 2nd quarter, Duncan Wilder created a path for Evan Tomasello to run for a first down. Then on play action Garrity rolled right and found a sliding Brayden Huber for a sensational first down catch. On a reverse Tomasello followed key downfield blocks by receivers Andy Gerlach and Teddy Lovendale running for 25 yards to set up a first and goal. On the next play QB Garrity muscled his way in for the TD to make it 18-0. The defense led by a pass break up from Cam Forger created a quick turnover on downs. With just 32 seconds left in the half the Raiders wasted no time as Garitty connected with his tight end Shamus Devine for a 37 yard gain that set up a 3 yard TD keeper by Garrity. On the point after the offensive line led by Will Taylor, Mason Devine, Chris Donegan, Braden Oun, Blake Harris and Grant Riordan created a lane, but was abruptly filled making the score 24-0 for the win as the game ended at halftime due to weather
Next Sunday the 7th Grade Raiders have their home opener at Hingham HS at 12:00pm against Brockton.
