BEDFORD – Not a complete lot separated Bedford and Walpole.
Apart from one cease.
Walpole defensive lineman Jeremiah Colon tackled Bedford quarterback Sylar Pimental on the four-yard line, securing a 28-20 extra time victory for the Wolverines. Pimental had moved the chains all recreation, however on fourth-and-goal from the eight, Colon made the cease of the season.
“I noticed him rolling out, and we obtained him,” stated Colon. “We needed that cease, we would have liked it. Bedford was a tricky staff, however we earned this.”
That ultimate cease was the other of the earlier possession, the place Walpole working again Dillon Needham scored on fourth-and-one. The victory extends the season for No. 9 Walpole (5-4), who upset the No. 8 Bedford, and now transfer on to the Spherical of 8 within the Division 4 MIAA playoffs.
Walpole coach Chris Sullivan expressed admiration for his staff, which misplaced their first three video games of the season. However his group by no means stopped placing within the work, which paid dividends on a brisk evening in Bedford.
“I’m pleased with our senior management, I’m pleased with our coaches, and I’m pleased with the way in which this staff reveals up each single day,” stated Sullivan. “We’ve been resilient all season, and that’s how we would have liked to play to win this recreation.”
Walpole obtained on the board first, scoring three seconds into the second quarter when Jack English pounded the ball into the tip zone on third-and-goal from the one. The landing capped off a six-minute, 13-play drive, and it featured 4 totally different working choices in English, Joe Carter, Mason Falcone, and Needham.
“Bedford is an excellent staff, so we would have liked to grind with a view to have an opportunity at profitable,” stated Sullivan. “We now have a bend-but-don’t-break strategy on offense, and that’s what you noticed there.”
However Bedford (6-3) didn’t path for lengthy. Later within the quarter, the Buccaneers wanted solely two minutes and 5 seconds to tie the sport. That occurred when a poised Pimentel learn the Walpole protection, then related with Lawrence Andrade for a five-yard landing go. Bedford then captured the lead when Andrade rushed two yards into the tip zone on a drive highlighted by a 63-yard reception from Boston School-committed receiver Mekhi Volcy, who made the reception off a deflection after which exploded downfield. The rating remained 14-7 in Bedford’s favor on the half, however Walpole–led defensively by lineman Zach Lamoureux–made two vital stops within the third quarter to maintain the sport inside attain.
“Our objective was to stress them,” stated Lamoureux. “We’ve struggled early with that, however we bounced again. A variety of that has to do with our teaching. We follow recreation conditions, and that ready us for the conditions we confronted right here. And we consider in one another. We knew we might win this recreation.”
Walpole evened the rating at 14-14 with 9:28 remaining within the third quarter. Quarterback Blake Pileski rushed for a five-yard landing, and it turned clear this recreation can be determined by one play. Initially, it appeared it might come from Volcy. He scored on the very subsequent play when Pimentel hit him for a go, then outran triple protection for an 85-yard landing. Bedford kicker Andrew Livshin, who had been correct all evening, missed the additional level, which saved the lead 20-14 in favor of Bedford.
However Walpole wouldn’t go away. They scored on their subsequent possession, marching 63 yards in 90 seconds and seemingly taking management of the sport when English broke free for a 38-yard landing run. However Walpole’s pleasure was curbed after they have been flagged for extreme celebration. That compelled Mateo Filipi to kick an 18-yard further level, which was vast, and saved the rating tied at 20.
Bedford had an opportunity to finish it in regulation. With solely 64 seconds on the clock, the Buccaneers moved the ball 42 yards to place themselves in place for a game-winning subject objective. However Livshin, who was excellent all evening at proper deal with, noticed his try sail inches vast to the correct.
The loss snapped a five-game profitable streak for Bedford, who’re led by an distinctive coach in Tom Tone.
“We’re dissatisfied within the end result, however I’m actual pleased with the children,” stated Tone. “Walpole is a tricky staff–they’re effectively coached, they’ve obtained some massive guys, and it felt like that they had one million powerful working backs. The one good factor is that this isn’t our final recreation. That’s comforting–we nonetheless have extra soccer to play.”
Walpole will journey to Scituate to play the defending state champions within the subsequent spherical. However even with a tough impediment forward, the sunshine continues to be on for Walpole, and quarterback Blake Pileski relishes the problem in entrance of him.
“It’s all the time the identical mentality for us,” stated Pileski. “Coach Sullivan has taught us that wherever we go, it’s simply soccer. We all know how good Scituate is. That staff is stuffed with studs, so we’ll put together for them and be able to compete.”
