Jr. Ghosts’ D Team Prevents Acton-Boxborough Sweep

The following was submitted by Tom Kane of the Jr. Grey Ghosts. To submit your own content, e-mail the editor at andrewsylvia@westfordtemplate.com

Westford Patriot Team 9 vs. Acton-Boxboro 38

The Westford Junior Ghosts Patriot team fought a tough Acton-Boxboro team in Westford on Sunday. Westford got the first score of the game when Tyler Bella broke a long 59-yard run for a Westford touchdown. Other big offensive plays included a Cam Barisano 32-yard pass to Jacob Stanglewicz, multiple 20+-yard passes to Jakob Simas, and a pass to Daniel Wilson.  Wilson and Bella also had numerous runs from scrimmage and each had several good kickoff returns.  Nick Lofria, Jeff Battle, Simas, Jon Magee, Colin Slafkosky, Justin Quinton, and Liam Shockley all turned in key performances on the offensive line. During halftime and throughout the game, the Westford cheerleaders kept the crowd cheering. Defensively, Wilson led the Ghosts with 6 tackles.  Stanglewicz, Magee, Kyle Sweeney, and Lofria each had several tackles. Chet Herget, Devansh Apte, Mitchel Morris, Slafkosky, Quinton contributed key tackles as well.  Bella knocked down an AB pass, preventing a big gain.

Westford B Team 0 vs Acton-Boxboro 14

The Westford B team displayed a solid team effort and strong teamwork in their recent battle with Acton-Boxboro. Zack Prendergast , Steven Tubianosa, Jake Morash, Nick Antes, showed great determination during the entire first half. Garrett Ackerman, Kenny Tashjy, Jake Gross and Nick Faretra provided a persistent defensive attack, showing relentless pursuit of the A-B running backs. Brent Robinson continuously charged through the line with fellow teammates Gross, Kevin Nephew, Adam OHananian and Luke Stocker. The hard hitting group of Christian Ruggiero, Tony Roddy, and Jason Mendonca contributed key blocks as the Ghosts moved the ball on offense. Isaac Mulcahy, Ryan Canha, Mike Paulauskas, Jack Norris and Connor Targ challenged the A-B line all day, but the Colonials ended up outscoring the Ghosts 14-0. The B Team will take on Hooksett Saturday night under the lights at Westford Academy.

Westford C Team 0 vs Acton Boxboro 12

They say football is 80 percent mental and 20 percent physical.  Nothing rang truer on Sunday for the Jr. Ghosts.  Penalties and errant snaps dominated the Ghosts first half and they weren’t able to overcome it.  Mason Materazzo recovered a Colonial fumble in the first half and Ben Gomez added some great one on one tackles on the outside to help keep the game scoreless at half time.  The stout Colonial defense kept the Ghosts at bay. Despite a gritty defensive performance by Westford, A-B scored twice in the final quarter.  Devin Crogan recorded an interception for the second straight week, while Steven Donovan made some terrific plays on defense.  Donovan forced a fumble that was recovered by Rowan Ruggiero and added several strong tackles.  The Jr. Ghosts wrap up their season Sunday at home against Cambridge.

Westford D Team 27 vs. Acton Boxboro 21

Westford D-Team met Acton-Boxboro on their home turf on Sunday for an exciting game of football.

Captains Ryan Walsh, Henry Babineau, Tyler Murray and Nick Manzi brought Westford to the field and ready to play. Luke Reynolds and Luke Fremault set the pace with an amazing pass and reception early in the first half. Ryan Blagg followed with a terrific run downfield and a diving leap over the goal line for Westford’s first score. Reynolds found Ethan Ewing in the end zone to score the extra point. Spectacular blocking by Elliot Bradley, Conner Moncreaf, Cole Barisano and Joey Bella on the kick return paved the way for Ewing’s two returns for scores. Cole Stickel penetrated the offense to put pressure the A-B quarterback and Fremault made a diving tackle to prevent an A-B score. Elliot Kane cane up for the defense and denied an A-B extra point attempt.

Westford’s defense dug deep and held A-B scoreless for the entire half. Reynolds had a 35 yard run to the end zone with the blocking help of Manzi, Elliot Bradley, Moncreaf, Fremault, Asher Ryba and Kyle Murray. As the 4^th quarter wound down, Blagg made a vital interception to regain possession and end the game.

Westford E Team vs. Acton-Boxboro

Westford Jr. Ghosts E Team faced a tough Acton-Boxborough squad that drew first blood on a long opening scoring drive.

The Colonials used an effective inside running attack to march downfield inside the Jr. Ghosts’ 5-yard line. Westford’s defense – led by Tony Babineau, Mason Bergeron, Odin Scott, and Thurman Hargrove – eventually stiffened to force Acton-Boxborough into a fourth-and-goal at the Westford 2. The Colonials squeezed into the end zone on an up-the-middle dive for a score.
Jolted awake by the Colonials’ fast start, the Jr. Ghosts’ offense clicked into gear with a flurry of long runs by Kaden Silton, Tommy Galvin, Bobby MacCormack and Andrew Stodden. Nearly all of Westford’s backs uncorked runs of 15 yards or more, sprung free by the gritty blocking of Carter Scanlan, TJ Kane, Tanner Whitehouse, Scott, and Alex Wilson.

Westford notched its first special teams score of the season with a dazzling kickoff return by Matthew Morash, who punctuated his run by dragging a defender into the end zone. With both offense and special teams producing scores, Westford’s defense clamped down on Acton-Boxboro’s running game. Ben Schaffer, Connor Gleason, Trey Durham, and Aiden Murphy kept the Colonials away from the end zone in the second half, while Peter Burdin recovered an Acton-Boxboro fumble to kill a late drive.

CORRECTION: Kaden Silton, not Tommy Galvin, was in the third photo.