By Liam O’Brien
Managing Editor of Sports
With the postseason nearing as the daylight decreases and the forecasts worsen, many teams are increasing their chances of earning a spot in their respective state tournaments.
The football team, heading into its home showdown with Dual County League rival Westford on Friday night, garnered yet another thrilling victory this past weekend, improving its record on the season to 5-0.
Despite trailing 20-7 in the second quarter against Acton-Boxborough on the road, junior quarterback Austin Burton pioneered a comeback with four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown on the day. His touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Anthony DeNitto with 2:51 remaining in the game, the tandem’s third TD connection of the night, gave the Lions a 34-30 advantage. The South defense then stopped the Colonials offense twice from their own one-yard line in the final 11 seconds to seal the astounding win.
The girls’ soccer team also enjoyed a successful week on the soccer pitch. After clinching a postseason berth with a victory over Weston last Wednesday, the group captured a 2-1 win over Framingham on Friday and a 1-0 shutout win over Westford on Tuesday, improving its record to 11-3.
The team will look to ride their momentum into a road contest against conference foe Lincoln-Sudbury this Friday.
Another squad surfing the wave of a winning streak is the girls’ volleyball team. After a subpar beginning to the season, the group has responded with tremendous fervor, with a hotly contested 3-2 win over Billerica Memorial last Thursday and a 3-0 victory over Westford on Tuesday upping their winning streak to five games and their record to 8-4.
Look for the contingent to continue their winning ways on the court Thursday afternoon as they host Lincoln-Sudbury.
The boys’ soccer team is also searching for a way to break into the postseason. After a 0-0 tie with Needham on Saturday, its record stood at 4-5-2, just one win away from a .500 mark. However, the group regressed on Tuesday afternoon, falling to Westford, 3-1.
The team will attempt to rebound on Thursday afternoon as they host Lincoln-Sudbury, a tune-up before their crucial Saturday night matchup at home against crosstown rival Newton North.
The field hockey team witnessed their record fall to 1-10-1 with a loss to Concord-Carlisle last Thursday before suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Westford on Wednesday afternoon, pushing the team to 10 games under .500 for the season.
Although the result may have been discouraging, the group’s efforts underscore the improvements they have made over the course of the season, as they endured a 8-0 drubbing by the Grey Ghosts in the previous encounter between the two.
The squad will attempt to capture their second win of the season this Friday as they host Lincoln-Sudbury.
While the golf team fell to Lincoln-Sudbury last Wednesday, the girls’ cross-country team garnered a victory over Cambridge in their meet at Cold Spring Park on Wednesday afternoon, despite the boys team falling in a landslide.
This weekend is a big one for South athletics, featuring two games under the lights. The football team plays Westford Academy Friday night at 7:00 p.m., while the boys’ soccer team faces off against North on Saturday Night at the same time.
