September 10, 2024 By Kevin Riordan
The 8th Grade Raiders rolled to a 36-0 victory over the Braintree Wamps on Sunday. Hingham put the game away in the first half as Braintree’s defense could not stop the aerial attack from QB Hudson Garrity. On the first play from scrimmage Garrity took the snap from center Brooks Johnson and threw a spiral to Cole Shevlin who outran the defenders for the touchdown. On the extra point QB Deininger’s pass was just out of reach for Coen Melgoza as the Raiders took a 6-0 lead. The defensive line of Braden Oun, Ryan Crespi, Frank Cavagnaro and Teddy Lovendale stopped Braintree’s big running backs to force a 3rd and long. Crespi pressured the QB forcing a fumble which Neil Deininger recovered at the 21 yard line. Behind the upfront blocking by Will Taylor, Denny Costello and Brooks Johnson RB Evan Tomasello took the handoff and cut outside for a 14 yard TD to go on top 12-0.
The defense came ready to play against a sizable Braintree offense. Ezra Everly and Jordan Owens-Ayala made a tackle for no gain then linebackers Grant Riordan and Mickey Syp aggressively sacked the QB for a loss forcing a 4th and long. Mason Aframe tackled the running back short of the first down to force the turnover on downs. Confusing the defense Neil Deininger came in at QB and pitched it to Carter Karis who fought his way down to the 3 yard line. But Braintree’s big defensive line kept Hingham out of the end zone for the moment. Having Braintree with their backs to the goal line allowed Andy Gerlach to shoot the gap tackling the back for no gain. Braden Oun pressured the QB forcing an incomplete pass then Mason Devine and Ezra Everley got in the action with consecutive tackles. On a 3rd and long Grant Riordan, Asher Ellis and John Peterson collapsed on the QB forcing him to throw an interception to Johnny Heller who returned it to the house. Unfortunately it was called back on a questionable penalty but Hingham now had the ball at their 31 yard line. Capitalizing on the turnover, QB Garrity hit Rhett Shevlin on a slant pass who used his legs to sprint for a 69 yard for an 18-0 sound lead.
In the second quarter Daniel Lovendale, Cam Forger and Evan Tomasello caused the Braintree RB to fumble that was recovered by Neil Deininger. The Garrity to Shamus Devine passing combination was on full display this drive as Garrity first threw a 43 yard bomb followed up by a 21 yard pass into the corner of the end zone for the TD to go up 24-0. Just before the half, Braintree picked up a couple of first downs and threatened to score but Matty Palmero tackled the runner at the 5 yard line. Will Berkeley, who had a monster of a game on the defensive line, sacked the QB short of the goal line to end the half.
The second half brought much of the same with Garrity throwing timely passes to Braden Huber and Rhett Shevlin for a quick TD. Tackles for loss by Duncan Wilder and Wes Govini and Ryan Fernquist prevented a TD with a diving tackle on their hulking running back. An interception by Sam Godfrey dashed all hopes Braintree had for getting into the end zone today. Johhny Heller capped off the scoring by following blocks from Duncan Wilder and Mason Devine for a TD and the 36-0 victory.