The following was submitted by Tom Kane of the Westford Jr. Grey Ghosts. To submit your own content, e-mail the editor at andrewsylvia@westfordtemplate.com
Westford Patriot Team 12 vs Methuen 40
The Jr. Ghosts Patriot Team had a rough first half in Methuen on Sunday but turned it around in the 2nd. Behind the blocking of Liam Shockley, Justin Quinton, Jeff Battle, Jakob Simas and Kyle Sweeney, Daniel Wilson tossed a 30 yard halfback option pass to Jacob Stanglewicz. A 5 yard run from Ryan Humphrey and another 35 yarder from Tyler Bella put the Ghosts on the board.
On the ensuing Methuen possession, the defensive line of Sweeney, Jon Magee, Mitchel Morris, Colin Slafkosky and Shockley worked their way into the backfield and made tackles. Cornerbacks Chet Herget, and Humphrey kept contain. The defense proceeded to force a fumble with Shockley recovering for Westford.
On the next drive the offensive line continued to dominate.  Cam Barisano passed to Wilson for 35 yards. Barisano connected to Stanglewicz who pitched to Bella for 15 yards. Wilson tacked on another 10. Barisano capped the drive with a 1 yard touchdown run.
Westford finished the game with a 30 yard catch and run by Devansh Apte as time ran out.
The team plays at Westford Academy next Sunday, October 19th at 2:00pm.
Westford B Team 0 vs Wakefield 28
The Westford Junior Ghosts B Team fell to a strong Wakefield team with a final score of 28-0. Quarterback Steven Tubianosa had a strong running game with a 25 yard run in the 2nd half. Several on the offensive line including Zack Prendergast, Adam Ohanian, Isaac Mulcahy, Jake Morash and Connor Targ held off Wakefields defense while Nick Antes had several runs up the middle. Jake Morash had an outstanding fumble recovery on a punt return while Nick Faretra and Nick Antes both held strong on defense. Brant Robinson and Adam Ohanian both had solid kick off runs. The B team faces Acton-Boxborough this weekend.
Westford C Team 8 vs Methuen 6
The Jr. Ghosts battled to a hard fought victory Sunday against a bruising Methuen Rangers Team. Early in the first half, Methuen was able to drive deep into Ghost territory, but eventually turned the ball over on downs to the Ghost defense led by Colin Reynolds and Mike Morash, both recording tackles for loss on the drive. Westford capitalized quickly when Brian Scannell took a toss around the right end for a 90 yard touchdown run. Scannell had help from great blocks from Alec Morgan and Devin Crogan on the play. Justin Lokere added the 2 point conversion kick. Turnovers were the story for the next 2 quarters as the Ghosts and Rangers traded fumbles and interceptions. Steven Donovan jumped on a Ranger fumble late in the 3rd. Once the Rangers found the end zone, it was up to the defense to deny the tying points. Matty Accabo did just that by getting his hands on the Methuen kick to block it. The Ghosts hope to continue their winning ways Sunday against Acton at Westford Academy.
Westford D Team 7 vs. Methuen 13
Westford was led by captains Michael Picanso, Devin Cuzziere, Conor Moncreaf, Asher Ryba, and Ryan Walsh. The Westford defense quickly took over with some punishing tackles and relentless pursuit of Methuen. Drew Wilson was a force against Methuen when he blew up the entire offensive line and made an amazing tackle to push Methuen back several yards. After a Methuen touchdown, Luke Fremault helped limit the damage by preventing the extra point attempt. Nate Brown was persistent on defense and prevented a key Methuen pass completion. Elliot Kane played a remarkable game on both sides of the ball with some fierce tackles and a fumble recovery near the end of the first half.
The Westford offensive line took control in the second half. Picanso, Ryba, Moncreaf and Kane thwarted the defenders and helped Westford advance upfield. Ethan Ewing could not be stopped as he rushed for numerous yards, at times covered in defenders. Thanks to a stellar pass by Luke Reynolds, Ewing quickly found the end zone. Another swift pass from Reynolds to Ryan Blagg scored the extra point to bring Westford ahead by one. Daniel Hickey made several aggressive tackles but Methuen was able to score another touchdown before the final whistle.
Westford E Team vs. Methuen:
Against the Methuen Rangers the Westford Jr. Ghosts repeated this season’s recipe for success: score early and often with an explosive running game and smother the opponent’s offense with ferocious tackling.
Westford’s dynamic backfield battery of Matthew Morash, Bobby MacCormack, Andrew Stodden, and Tommy Galvin repeatedly slashed through the Methuen defense for long gains. With Alex Wilson, Charlie Bonenfant, and Chris Fahlman grinding out tough yards inside, the Rangers’ defense struggled to find a solution for the Jr. Ghosts’ potent ground attack. Westford was able to put together long drives by converting several difficult third-and-longs.
Effective blocking by Peter Burdin, Aiden Murphy, Tanner Whitehouse, Carter Scanlan, Xenia Khusid, and Odin Scott helped propel Westford’s drives.
Gritty defensive play from TJ Kane, Odin Scott, Ben Schaffer, Mason Bergeron, and Tony Babineau helped dampen the Rangers’ offensive movement by stuffing inside runs and sealing the outside on most sweeps and reverses. Aside from a couple of long bursts late in the game, Methuen was only able to generate one sustained drive – which ended on a fumble inside the Westford 5-yard line.
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