October 8, 2024 By Kevin Riordan
The Raiders dominated on Sunday scoring on their first 6 possessions and putting the game out of reach in the first quarter behind the arm of Hudson Garrity and a stable of running backs led by Evan Tomasello, Johnny Heller, Cam Forger, Jack Hart, Coen Melgoza and Andrew Nolan.
The game started with a bang as Shamus Devine tipped the Needham QB’s pass which Mason Aframe alertly intercepted and ran it back for a touchdown. Neil Deininger held the ball as Will Taylor kicked a rare extra point for an 8-0 lead. After Braden Oun’s sack, Needham punted and in just 2 plays QB Hudson Garrity connected on a slant pass with Shamus Devine for a 6 yard TD. Back on defense the front line of Brayden Huber, Denny Costello, Will Berkeley and Frank Cavagnaro forced a quick three and out from Needham. Capitalizing on good field position QB Garrity threw a dart to Rhett Shevlin who muscled his way for a 21 yard TD and a 20-0 early lead. Defensively Mickey Syp, Carter Karis and Grant Riordan tackled the Needham backers and Sam Godfrey intercepted a pass at midfield. On the very next play Garrity took the snap from center Brooks Johnson and once again connected with Rhett Shevlin for long TD pass. On the point after QB Neil Deininger threw a quick pass to Andrew Nolan who was stopped just shy of the goal line to go up 26-0. One play later the Raiders defense created another turnover as Johnny Heller picked off a pass at the 48 yard line. QB Garrity then threw a bomb to his receiver Cole Shevlin down to the 4 yard line where Garrity ran it in for another TD upping the score to 32-0 as the quarter ended with five Raider TD’s.
In the second half the defensive controlled the line of scrimmage with Mason Devine, Esra Everley, Will Taylor, Ryan Crespi and Asher Ellis shutting down the run and Ryan Fernquist intercepting a pass at the 31 yard line for a turnover. A quick pass from QB Deininger to Carter Karis and a run by Coen Melgoza had the Raiders on the move but Needham forced a seldom turnover on downs. The defense dug in with Ryan Crespi and Jordan Owens-Ayala sacking the QB and Coen Melgoza and Wes Govini causing a fumble which Mickey Syp recovered deep in Needham territory. One play later the speedy Johnny Heller weaved his way through the defense to hit paydirt and a 38-0 lead. After intense pressure from Duncan Wilder and pass break ups by Grant Riordan and John Peterson, Needham managed to score a TD on the drive. Will Berkeley blocked the point after. First down runs by Cam Forger and Jack Hart enabled QB Garrity to roll to his right and hit Evan Tomasello for a 27 yard TD. Closing out the game, Matthew Palermo made a leaping catch to intercept a pass that secured the 44-6 victory to remain unbeaten.
