HINGHAM — The most recent chapter of the historic rivalry between Scituate and Duxbury lived as much as its billing, and Tyler Stelljes seized his second.
The sophomore wideout completed with 145 receiving yards to go together with 61 yards passing, ending with three touchdowns because the top-ranked Sailors (10-1) reached the Div. 4 Tremendous Bowl for the fourth time in 5 seasons with a wild 34-21 win over the No. 4 Dragons (7-4).
“It feels superior carrying on a legacy,” Stelljes stated. “It’s what we wish.”
It was becoming these Patriot League rivals met within the postseason. In spite of everything, that they had confronted off 4 occasions within the final 5 seasons at Gillette for the Div. 4 title, splitting championships. As anticipated, a barn-burner ensued. Grayson Foley punched in a four-yard landing rush on the sport’s opening drive, as Scituate threw the primary punch to grab a 7-0 lead with 6:56 left within the first quarter.
Nevertheless, Duxbury responded on the following drive when Ian McNeil scampered in for a four-yard landing run, because the Dragons tied issues at 7-all.
Afterward within the second quarter, Colin Murray got here up with a blocked punt for Duxbury, and the Dragons capitalized. They seized their first lead as Cole Barberia broke off a 13-yard landing rush, making it a 14-7 sport with 5:01 to go within the half.
But, Scituate responded. Moments later, Pomona-Pitzer commit Jonny Donovan heaved a Hail Mary cross downfield. Stelljes corralled it and took off untouched for a 48-yard landing reception because the Sailors drew even at 14-14.
A couple of minutes thereafter, Duxbury tried some trickery as quarterback Brady Rhinesmith dropped again to punt, or so it appeared. The senior as a substitute opted to cross mid-play and watched his try fall incomplete, setting Scituate up at its personal 39 with 1:29 to go within the half. Then, the Sailors went into their very own bag of methods with a large receiver cross. Stelljes caught a display from Donovan, then fired a dart up the sideline. Miller Shea hauled it in and sprang free for a 61-yard landing reception as Scituate regained the lead at 21-14.
“Coach Devine instructed me to run the ball as a result of (Duxbury) referred to as it out,” stated a laughin Stelljes. “I made a decision I’d huck it up, and Miller made an incredible play. It labored out.”
With seconds to go within the half, the Dragons discovered themselves driving. Rhinesmith took a last-ditch shot on the finish zone. His prayer was answered, as Jack Carney introduced within the cross for a 31-yard landing reception, as the 2 colleges entered intermission deadlocked at 21-all.
Late within the third quarter, Donovan determined to take one other deep shot. The senior related with Stelljes, who shook free from three would-be tacklers for a 91-yard landing reception, as Scituate took a 28-21 benefit into the ultimate stanza.
As he has carried out time and time once more this season, Foley stepped up when it mattered most for the Sailors. With Duxbury driving within the fourth quarter, the junior picked off Rhinesmith, setting Scituate up at its personal 22 with 7:26 remaining. The Sailors began a protracted drive of their very own, leaning closely on the star working again to realize yardage. Going through 4th-and-2 with simply over a minute to play, Foley sealed the cope with a four-yard landing rush, and the Sailors have been sure for the state finals as soon as once more.
Donovan completed 4-for-9 passing with 174 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Sailors, whereas Foley added 132 yards speeding to go along with his two scores.
Scituate will now face No. 2 Tewksbury for all of it at Gillette subsequent.
“This system goes to be there,” stated Scituate coach Herb Devine. “However getting these seniors to get again to Gillette, loads of these guys have been, I don’t need to say within the shadows, however loads of them didn’t get to play a lot final yr. We had a fairly loaded crew … for these seniors to get that chance to go there their senior yr? That’s fairly particular to me.”
