Harmony-Carlisle ended its season on a excessive be aware, shutting out Lexington, 32-0, within the nightcap of a Thanksgiving eve tripleheader at Fenway Park.
There was no “shot heard around the world” – a distinction that belongs to the Battles of Lexington and Harmony from 250 years in the past – however there was loads of firepower from the Harmony-Carlisle offense. And on the conclusion of the 103rd assembly between the colleges, Harmony-Carlisle now leads the sequence, 54-42-7, extending its successful streak to 6.
Proper from the beginning, the Harmony-Carlisle protection created alternatives for its offense. After forcing a turnover on downs to open the sport, Harmony-Carlisle (5-6) scored on its opening drive. Working out of the wildcat formation, senior Lewis Simon seized the second, discovering a gap courtesy of excellent blocking and making a 63-yard sprint to the top zone.
“I let free,” mentioned Simon (5 carries, 111 yards, 2 TDs). “I’m glad to play on this stadium, and I’m glad to do it with my guys. This all means loads. I couldn’t let this recreation get away from me.”
An additional level from Jack Garofalo put the Patriots forward, 7-0, with 35 seconds remaining within the first. Each groups had alternatives to attain earlier than the half, but neither capitalized.
Lexington’s Kian Millett missed a 38-yard subject purpose try extensive left simply earlier than the halfway level of the second quarter, and quarterback Ethan Hatch got here shut on a few deep balls. Harmony-Carlisle practically added to the lead when sophomore quarterback Ryan Duffy tried to engineer a 54-yard scoring drive within the half’s closing moments, however he fell 15 yards quick when Lexington defensive again Griffin Leahy made a ferocious sack as time expired.
However Duffy wouldn’t be denied for lengthy.
Throughout Harmony-Carlisle’s first possession of the third quarter, the Patriots used the run successfully earlier than Duffy despatched an ideal spiral 17 yards to tight finish Alex Fivek in the long run zone. That put Harmony-Carlisle forward, 14-0, with eight minutes to play within the quarter.
“It’s actual straightforward when you might have a robust protection behind you,” mentioned Duffy. “It doesn’t matter what we did, they’d our again. And I really like my O-line. They defend me every single day. That’s the spine of our offense.”
Eight seconds into the fourth quarter, Harmony-Carlisle added onto the lead with a 25-yard run from junior operating again Sawyer Carnes. Following a missed additional level, that gave the Patriots had a commanding 20-0 lead.
On the ultimate run of his highschool profession, Simon scored his second landing for Harmony-Carlisle with 8:10 remaining within the recreation. Breaking tackles and deftly avoiding others on a 35-yard energy dash previous the purpose line, he put Harmony-Carlisle forward 26-0. The Patriots would tack on one other landing with two minutes to play when senior Christian Meyer pounded the ball in from the two-yard line, making it 32-0.
A stingy defensive effort from Harmony-Carlisle saved Lexington scoreless. There was an emphasis on stopping the Lexington run, limiting the Minutemen to solely 14 yards on the bottom within the third quarter.
“Our protection got here ready,” mentioned Harmony-Carlisle coach Josh Reed. “Coach (Derek) Robbins had a fantastic plan for us, and the boys actually responded. Our offensive line did an amazing job up entrance, and our backs did a fantastic job blocking.”
Regardless of solely trailing by a landing on the half, Lexington (2-8) struggled to make stops or create scoring alternatives within the second half. Whereas Lexington coach John DeLuca was dissatisfied with the end result, he was extraordinarily pleased with his senior captains – James Moehring, Matheo Gomes, John Lilley, and Alex Manson – for all their contributions to this system.
“We’re positively going to be pointing to these guys sooner or later as the instance, not solely as soccer gamers, however as folks,” mentioned DeLuca. “They’re improbable position fashions, and so they put their coronary heart and soul into this workforce.”
For Harmony-Carlisle, that second half is one which they are going to keep in mind all low season. Reed was requested whether or not he mentioned something significantly inspiring on the half, which drew a smile on his face.
“It was a colourful speech for them to grasp their full potential,” mentioned Reed. “We began just a little sluggish, however they responded. And it’s greater than only one recreation. Taking part in at Fenway Park, it’s surreal. It’s a chance of a lifetime, and these guys deserved it.”
