Stoughton turnaround

Halts slump with potent run attack

SHARON — Coming off of back-to-back losses, Stoughton wanted to put those defeats far in the rear-view mirror.

It certainly did as the Black Knights scored on their first four possessions yesterday and racked up 319 yards on the ground to steamroll Sharon for a 37-0 Hockomock League road win.

“After two tough losses, we got back to Stoughton football,” said Ryan Sullivan. “We started hitting again. This is the perfect weather for it. Ground and pound. This is what we like to do.”

Stoughton’s ground attack took off from the get-go. On the third play of the game, Justin Ly went up the middle for a 22-yard touchdown run. Josh Cocchi added the extra point to give the Black Knights a 7-0 lead less than two minutes in.

Stoughton’s offense wasted no time on its second series. Again on the third play of the drive, it found the end zone when Izon Swain-Price (seven carries, 119 yards) took a handoff 38 yards to pay dirt for a 14-0 lead at the 5:59 mark of the first quarter.

Sharon (3-1) responded by sustaining a drive deep into Stoughton territory thanks to Juvan Elisma (11 carries, 50 yards).

But the Eagles turned the ball over on downs and Stoughton went right back to work with Sullivan (four carries, 76 yards) turning in a 54yard touchdown run for a 21-0 lead with 8:27 left in the second quarter.

“Sullivan and Izon, those guys are tough,” said Stoughton coach Greg Burke. “But, our key is blocking. It’s always been. We’re not the type of team that can throw the ball every down. We’ve got to be able to move the ball.”

Just over a minute later, the Black Knights (2-2) were back in the end zone as Nick Hardy intercepted a pass and scampered 35 yards for another score.

Stoughton wasn’t done in the first half. Quarterback Evan Gibb completed a 41-yard touchdown pass to Swain-Price to go up 35-0 right before halftime.

The defense completed the overall stellar performance by limiting Sharon to 1 yard of total offense in the second half and also recorded a safety from Alex Iverson.

STAFF PHOTOS BY PATRICK WHITTEMORE UPLIFTING MOMENT: Stoughton senior Izon Swain-Price is hoisted high by teammate Lino Azul as they celebrate the running back’s first-quarter touchdown against Sharon yesterday during the Knights’ 37-0 win. Swain-Price ran for 119 yards on the day....