By Liam O’Brien
Managing Editor of Sports
Heading into Saturday afternoon’s playoff matchup against Haverhill, the football team had retribution on its mind.
After falling to the Hillies in the first round of the tournament in 2014, the Lions entered their first postseason contest of 2015 with a vengeance, defeating Haverhill 32-27 for their first ever home playoff victory.
“We knew that we had come a long way from where we were last year,” senior captain Anthony DeNitto said. “This was our chance to prove it to [Haverhill], our fans and ourselves.”
South relied on the arm of junior quarterback Austin Burton, who shouldered the load for the Lions, scoring five total touchdowns. Burton hit DeNitto for three of the five, one of which went for 50 yards and sealed the win in the fourth quarter.
Haverhill running back J.C. LaGuerre was as impressive as advertised, racking up over 200 rushing yards while accounting for three touchdowns.
The 4-3 Hillies opened up the scoring in the first quarter with a 51-yard scoring drive on the legs of LaGuerre, who ended the possession with his first touchdown of the afternoon to give his team a 7-0 lead.
The Lions responded quickly, with Burton driving his troops down the field before hitting DeNitto on a 30-yard touchdown strike. After a missed extra point, the score was 7-6 with a minute remaining in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Haverhill fought back with another lengthy drive, and a two-yard touchdown by LaGuerre gave the Hillies a 14-6 lead in the second quarter.
Unfazed by the deficit, Burton picked apart the opposing defense on an 80-yard march down the field capped off by a 12-yard connection to junior tight end Sasha Hoban. A failed 2-point conversion kept the score at 14-12.
The Lions rode the momentum into the second half, converting on a 4th and 7 on their way to a score on the opening drive. The junior hit DeNitto for his second 30-yard touchdown to give his team a 18-14 lead.
After Burton was intercepted on South’s following possession, Haverhill picked up 56 yards in seven plays and LaGuerre’s third touchdown put Haverhill up 21-18 with 5:39 left in the third quarter.
From then on, South had its way with Haverhill. A fourth-down conversion on the following 82-yard drive paved the way for a Burton touchdown run that gave the team a 25-21 lead with two minutes remaining in the third.
After a sack of Hillies quarterback Broghean McGovern on a Haverhill 4th and 7 handed the Lions possession of the football at midfield, Burton hit DeNitto for a 50-yard score on the first play of the possession, putting South up 32-21 with 9:38 remaining.
The Lions defense continued continued its dominance when senior cornerback Frankie Barros jumped a route for an interception with 5:13 left. Junior cornerback Ilan Hascal added another interception with just over two minutes remaining that essentially sealed the victory.
“I think the key to our victory was playing at our pace, working hard on defense and staying positive,” DeNitto said.
Haverhill did not go down quietly, though. McGovern hit wideout Navin Cole on a deep ball for a 65-yard touchdown with 1:08 left, bringing them within a touchdown of South. But both Haverhill’s 2-point try and onside kick attempt failed, and the Lions advanced to the next round.
South will challenge top-seeded Billerica on the road Friday at 7:00 p.m. in the semifinal of the Division 2 North state tournament.
“They are a tough team, so we need to have a focused week in practice,” DeNitto said.
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
Liam,
Thank you for your excellent written article. As you do a fine job of having an impartial writing style in your the article. I of course am overjoyed at my sons description and acheivements stated in your article. He does me proud as I am certain you do your family proud as well.
Best to you in your journalizm career.
Mrs. Laguerre