The Battle of Groton, Part I

At first, we were worried. Groton-Dunstable started the game with an impressive 25-yard return to the 50-yard line, where they were finally stopped by our kicker, Marco McGavick (V). Our defense held the line, though, as they would prove to do all day long. Linebacker Ben Calmas (IV) got the first sack of the day in a doomed series for GD. They turned the ball over to us on fourth down, giving us good field position. On merely the second play of our series, Chris Sznip (III) ran right through the off-tackle hole for a 50-yard touchdown. Nick Joe Lewis went in for the extra two, putting GS ahead 8-0.

 

GD got no better traction in their second series, and part of the reason was Groton’s outstanding defense. This time it was linebacker Paul Malone (IV) whose sack on a bobbled snap ended their hopes. The game grew more defensive overall, and both teams had a three-and-out before Groton’s luck changed with an interception by safety Aidan Reilly (IV). In the next play, Reilly, now our quarterback, connected with Malone for a 50-yard pass. Paul was tackled just inside the 10-yard line. Lewis took it in with a quick run, but Malone was back in action to receive a pass for the two-point conversion. Groton-Dunstable would eventually score with a nice pass, and then they brought it in for two, making the score now 16-8. Highlights for Groton late in the first half would include a tackle for loss by Brent Gorton (IV) and a nice run by fullback Autumn Johnson (III).

 

The second half opened with another breakaway run by Sznip for 50 yards. He was brought down at Groton-Dunstable’s thirteen, but Groton struggled in the next few plays. At third and four, the Zebras went for the long count and pulled GD’s line offside. Now at first and goal, Reilly passed to Malone for a touchdown, and then again to Malone for two more. It was now 24-8.

 

GD grew tough again, and while Gorton and Malone both had a few tackles for loss, we were struggling to keep the Crusaders contained. One highlight, though, was that in his first full series at tight end, Filip Engstrom (II) did a massive job at blocking! Unfortunately, we fumbled and gave them the ball inside our own ten, and despite two batted-down passes—one by Kevin Carney (II) and another by Vlad Malashenko (III)—they eventually scored, making the score 24-16. An injury took our starting quarterback was out for the game, but Nick Joe Lewis deftly took over the offense. Groton started to get the ball moving again, but a few penalties kept us treading water. We punted away—with Sully Hamdan (V) stepping in to long snap for Reilly—and dug in our heels.

 

And then our luck changed. They fumbled on their own 15, and The Sznipper took the ball into the end zone on a beautiful sweep designed by our esteemed Coach Choatie. Gorton took it in for the extra two, bringing the score to its final, 32-16. We almost got the ball once more when pressure by defensive lineman Drew Bassilakis (VI) forced the Crusaders to throw into protection and Groton’s Gorton almost had the second pick of the day. But with the setting of the sun, the clock ran out.

 

High marks go to Groton’s amazing defense, including Clement Banwell (III), Feild Gomila (V), Bassilakis, Calmas, and Carney. All players were also amazingly flexible, going in whenever and wherever they were needed, such as our jack-of-all-trades this game, Teddy Carlin (II). It was a beautiful afternoon for football, and Groton was ready to play. In the Battle of Groton—a match-up that we hope will soon become tradition—Groton School took the first trophy.