October 3, 2023 By Kevin Riordan
The Raiders shutout streak continued as they traveled to Walpole and conquered the Rebels 32-0. Walpole had no answer for the offensive firepower the tandem of (QB) Hudson Garrity to (WR) Shamus Devine dispensed as they connected for three touchdowns on the afternoon. So far this season no team has.
On the opening possession (RB) Johnny Heller followed a block from Will Berkeley for a first down run then (RB) Evan Tomasello carried a pile of tacklers for consecutive first downs. The Rebels crowded the line expecting another run, but (QB) Hudson Garrity read the mismatch by taking the snap from center John Peterson rolling to his right and threw a 38 yard touchdown pass to a wide open (WR) Shamus Devine for the touchdown and an early 6-0 lead. The aggressive attack style defense resulted in tackles from Andy Gerlach, Denny Costello and Jack Hart that forced a quick punt. On offense (QB) Garrity ran a sweep left then right for multiple first downs. Executing the run pass option on the next play, Garrity connected with Shamus Devine on a 13 yard crossing route for the touchdown and a 12-0 lead. Relentless pressure from Frank Cavagnaro, Brayden Huber and Daniel Lovendale forced a Walpole punt. Back on offense (QB) Garrity dropped in the pocket throwing a 23 yard pass to Devine who broke several tackles on his way into the end zone for their third TD of the first quarter. On the point after, Grant Riordan snapped the ball to (QB) Matty Palermo who pitched it to (RB) Coen Melgoza as he bulldozed his way in for the 19-0 lead to close the first quarter.
(RB) Evan Tomasello ran for over 100 yards on the day which included a 37 yard run followed by Marco Giannaros 13 yard run to set up a first down at the 17 yard line. On first down (QB) Garrity tossed a fade route pass to Brayden Huber in the back of the end zone for a 17 yard TD in and a controlling 26-0 first half lead. The hungry defense did not let up with upfront pressure by Duncan Wilder, Braden Oun and Mickey Syp forcing Walpole’s QB to throw an incomplete lateral that was alertly recovered by Jack Hart for a fumble deep in Walpole territory. Capitalizing on the turnover (QB) Palermo handed off to (RB) Melgoza who cut up the middle for a 33 yard touchdown run and a convincing 32-0 Raiders halftime lead.
In the second half the defensive line of Will Taylor, Mason Devine, Braden Oun, Mickey Syp and Teddy Lovendale continued the upfront dominance as (DB) Emmett McCarthy made a bone jarring tackle on the Walpole receiver to force a punt. A committee of running backs led by Ryan Fernquist, Giannaros and McCarthy supported upfront by blockers Ryan Crespi, Oun, Riordan, Taylor Bradl, and Will Taylor preserved the shutout as the Raiders remain un-beaten and un-scored upon leaving Walpole.