Brockton fends off B-R rally
Buron falls in final game
BROCKTON — Like so many previous battles between Brockton and Bridgewater-Raynham, Saturday’s game at Marciano Stadium featured long drives, a low number of possessions and a small margin for error.
In the end, the host Boxers flexed their superiority in the trenches and made a few more critical plays to emerge with a 28-19 win.
Brockton (4-1) clinched the first-ever Southeast Conference title, and the Boxers celebrated by briefly lifting coach Peter Colombo off the turf in the postgame celebration.
Brockton rushed for 270 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries, including 123 yards and three scores for senior quarterback Devonte Medley. Medley also completed 6 of 8 passes for 93 yards in a terrific performance that may be his last as a Boxer, unless Brockton is able to find one more game.
“Unbelievable player, and just such a joy to coach and watch play,” Colombo said.
“But our whole group, that senior group, we knew they were special. I wish we had six more games, I really do, because this is the group to do it with. He’s a great leader and a great quarterback.”
It marked the last game at B-R for coach Dan Buron, a close friend of Colombo’s, for two teams that usually meet on Thanksgiving.
“Danny beat me more than I beat him,” Colombo said. “It’s nice to get this last one. His career is what it is. It’s phenomenal. My hat’s off to him, and much respect.”
Said Buron: “My time at Bridgewater-Raynham’s over. I’ve got no regrets.”
The key sequence took place in the fourth quarter. Down 21-19, B-R drove down to the Brockton 8-yard line, where the Trojans faced a fourth-and-2.
But the ensuing pass fell incomplete.
Brockton took the ball and drove 92 yards on six plays — all runs. The big plays were Rodrigo Lima’s 44yarder to the B-R red zone, and Noah Olowu’s 16-yard touchdown. Zachary Santos hit the PAT, and Brockton had a two-score lead with just 2:19 to play.
“We just saw stuff early on that we liked,” Medley said of his team’s big day on the ground. “We took advantage of it, and ran downhill on them.”
“You’ve got to credit them,” Buron said. “I think they won the game up front today. That hasn’t happened to us in four games, so you’ve got to give them credit.”
Medley rushed for a 20yard score on Brockton’s first drive, but B-R answered with a 1-yard score from Anthony Morrison, who finished with 133 yards on 24 carries. Medley added a 4-yard touchdown, and B-R again countered with a 14yard scoring pass from Nolan DeAndrade to Ryan Breheny as it stayed 13-13 at the half.
In the third quarter, Medley scored another on a 20yard run, and the Boxers earned a key two-point conversion on a rush by Jamal Jones-Reyes. Although B-R was able to score on a 63yard pass from DeAndrade to Breheny, the Trojans missed the two-point conversion pass.