Shorthanded Harbormen back on roll
HINGHAM — Injuries have certainly created their share of adversity for Hingham.
First, start- ing quarterback Jack Johnson suffered a broken collarbone, then two-way standout Jonathan Bearden was forced to the sidelines with an undisclosed ailment.
The Harbormen were also dealt their first loss last week, but they received the perfect dose of medicine last night from a stellar rushing attack and suffocating defense.
Led by Kevin Shea’s three total touchdowns, Hingham ran for nearly 200 yards and forced three turnovers to dominate Plymouth North for a 34-8 Patriot League win.
“Just sticking together as a team has done us the best,” Shea said. “It’s plain and simple. We’re doing what we usually do just minus two guys.”
Hingham’s ground-andpound offense flexed its muscles with three different running backs finding the end zone.
It started early when Hingham (4-1) executed a 10-play, 69-yard drive capped by an 11-yard touchdown from Charlie Egan (eight carries, 65 yards). Owen O’Brien added the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead late in the first quarter.
Hingham then forced fumbles on back-to-back possessions for Plymouth North (4-2). The Harbormen capitalized on the turnovers with Shea (12 carries, 58 yards) scoring on a 6-yard run before catching a pass along the sideline, breaking a tackle and tip-toeing in for a 16-yard touchdown and a 20-0 halftime lead.
“(Shea’s) been a dynamic runner for us,” said Hingham coach Jim Connor. “That’s what our offense is. We got four running backs including the quarterback. When we can get all of it working and keep it in check, then it frees up bigplay opportunities for guys like Kevin.”
While Plymouth North scored in the third quarter on a 35-yard pass from Austin Littlewood to Johnell Fillippini, the Blue Eagles only mustered 91 yards of total offense.
Hingham’s defense routinely created great field position, as its offense started five drives in Plymouth North territory with Grady Harrington finishing one with an 8-yard TD run.
A Jack Clougherty interception set up Shea’s final score, a rush from 3 yards out, to cap Hingham’s impressive performance.