BEVERLY — A demoralizing loss regarded imminent for Beverly on Saturday afternoon.
The Panthers jumped out to a 20-0 lead within the first half, however held a slim two-point lead over Haverhill late within the fourth quarter with a first-and-goal state of affairs looming. That’s when the Panthers’ protection stepped up, forcing a turnover on downs and serving to the group safe a 28-26 victory.
This got here only one week after the Panthers (1-1) squandered a fourth-quarter lead in a 15-7 loss to Gloucester. Head coach Jeff Hutton mentioned that his group discovered from that have and was ready to make the mandatory adjustments.
“We have been in the identical state of affairs final week, forward within the fourth and we kinda folded,” Hutton mentioned. “We have been in the identical spot, however we discovered the best way to get the cease.”
The Panthers mixed for 329 whole yards, with 261 coming from the speeding assault. Quarterback Daniel Pierce mentioned the group was centered on utilizing the bottom recreation after which attacking with the go in essential spots.
“We actually wished to ascertain the run early,” Pierce mentioned. “We felt like if we established the run, it might assist arrange the passing recreation for giant performs. I’ve a lot confidence in my vast receivers. I’ve been taking part in with them for 4 years now, so we simply get to work and no matter play is named, we glance to execute to one of the best of our capability.”
Pierce went 6-of-10 for 68 yards and a landing go whereas additionally including 12 yards on the bottom. The group’s main rusher was Sean Okhuozagbon, who had 19 carries for 137 yards and a landing. Captain Sean Costa and junior Anthony Sullivan scored the speeding touchdowns, whereas George Frost secured the receiving landing.
Hutton mentioned the group did shift its offensive method for the sport, and Pierce mentioned a robust week of follow set the group up for fulfillment.
“We needed to get our alignments and assignments down,” Pierce mentioned. “Final week we had some first-week jitters. This week, we had a very good week of follow and have been capable of examine our playbook, and we have been significantly better.”
The Hillies (0-1) solely managed seven factors within the first half however quarterback Michael Bayko was capable of push the offense alongside within the second half. He completed the day going 17-of-28 for 285 yards and two touchdowns whereas creating robust connections with Jathian DeJesus and Abraham Temple.
Nevertheless, when it mattered late within the recreation, Beverly acquired the final chuckle. After forcing the turnover on downs, the Panthers put collectively a drive that wound the clock right down to 19 seconds and gave Haverhill 81 yards to go in that point.
“We actually wished to take quite a lot of clock,” Pierce mentioned. “We have been in that state of affairs rather a lot final 12 months, four-or five-minute drills, so we now have some expertise working down the play clock. With us establishing the run earlier, we have been prepared for this example.”
Bayko accomplished two deep passes to get it shut, however the clock expired earlier than the Hillies might make a remaining heave to the top zone.
“What an ideal highschool soccer recreation,” Hutton mentioned. “There aren’t that many guys taking part in on a Saturday afternoon anymore. Nice stadium, nice environment. We go up, they crawl again in, it was a pleasant forwards and backwards. They’re a tricky group that by no means gave up, we by no means gave up. What an ideal recreation.”
