By Tara Lanahan
Sports Reporter
The Newton South Football team defeated Acton-Boxboro 32-28 on Thursday under the lights at Acton-Boxboro.
“It’s been 25 years since we have beaten AB, and it has been a great feeling to be apart of this team this year,” senior captain Adam Josephson said.
Junior Anthony Denitto scored a 75-yard touchdown in the first play of the game. On an AB scoring attempt, senior captain Liam Brandel sacked the AB Quarterback at the 30-yard line, taking them out of scoring position. AB, however, came back strong, scoring a touchdown with 3:11 left in the quarter. The first quarter ended with a score of 7-7.
In the second quarter junior Frankie Barros scored a 20-yard touchdown, but the Lions were unable to complete the point after. With 2:31 left in the half, Acton-Boxboro scored another touchdown, making the score 14-13 AB. On the next drive, Denitto ran for a 50-yard touchdown, scoring his second touchdown of the game. The Lions went for two, but were unable to execute, taking a 19-14 lead.
With 7:59 left in the third quarter, AB ran the ball into the end zone, making the score 21-19. South came back strong, scoring a 13-yard touchdown from Barros, but once again, was unable to attain the field goal point.
AB comes out strong in the fourth quarter, scoring a touchdown with a two-point conversion, making the score 28-25 with 8:18 left in the game. With 4:23 remaining, senior Josh Lee had a fumble recovery, giving South possession. Denitto then had a 20-yard touchdown, putting South into the lead 32-28 with less than four minutes to go.
The Lion’s defense held off AB in the last minutes of the game. Brandel had his second sack of night with 1:53 left to go, and, with 38 seconds left on the clock, Lee had an interception. The final score was 32-28 South.
“We played hard the whole game and even when it looked like we were out of chances the defense stepped up and made a big play,” Brandel said.
The Lion’s next game is on Saturday, Oct 11 at 7 pm against Westford Academy at Newton South.
“Great win for the program,” Head Coach Dalicandro said. “I am so happy for the seniors. They did a great job. It’s great to beat a team like AB. Their program is one of the best in the state. I am so proud of our seniors. I’m just thrilled.”
