’Dogs spoil Kelliher’s 500th game
Rockland stingy in battle of unbeatens
ABINGTON — The stage was set for a huge milestone for Abington head coach Jim Kelliher to become only the third coach in the history of Massachusetts High School football to eclipse the 500th game coached on the sidelines.
But Rockland showed up to pop all 500 balloons.
Rockland remained undefeated and prevailed in a defensive battle with a 17-7 victory over previously unbeaten Abington. The South Shore League foes traded punches in the trenches but the Bulldogs (5-0) running attack and stingy defense was just enough as Jacob Coulstring and Lucas Leander combined for 256 yards on the ground to lead the way.
Rockland head coach Nick Liquori is a little farther away than 500 games but certainly recognized the accomplishment with the victory.
“This is 45 for me so I’m way behind and a pebble compared to where Kells is at,” Liquori said as he laughed about the comparison. “It’s just so special, I’ve grown up in Rockland, played in Rockland, coached here for many years and he’s an icon. His oil shop is right behind where we practice every day and it’s just an honor to be on the field with somebody as great as Kells.”
Abington (4-1) didn’t make it easy as Rockland could only muster a 31-yard field goal on a 12-play drive to open the game. The 3-0 lead held up until late in the second quarter.
The Green Wave, who were able to get into Bulldog territory with their first four possessions, drove the field on their second series down the Bulldogs 4-yard line. But a sack by Leary Costa on a fourth-and-goal rollout ended the drive and lifted the Bulldogs momentum.
With 4:17 left in the second, Coulstring finished off a quick four-play, 83-yard drive with a 19-yard rushing touchdown. Coulstring took the ball on a counter off left tackle and gave Rockland the 10-0 lead at the break. Runs from Leander for 21 and 32-yards set up Coulstring for the big score.
Leander did just that with 2:42 left to play to put things out of reach for the Green Wave. On a fourth-and-6 from their own 28, Liquori decided to put things away and Leander paid his coach back with a 72-yard run to the end zone to give the Bulldogs the comfortable 17-0 lead.
Abington didn’t quit as they scored on their next possession on the first play from scrimmage. Isiah Ricketson hauled in a swing pass and did the rest for a 45-yard pass play from quarterback Eddie Reilly. The Green Wave recovered the onside kick as Jack Robbins gave Abington great field position at midfield with 2:15 remaining.
But the Bulldog defense was at it again as P.J. Celestino pulled in the interception to end any comeback hopes for the Green Wave to get a victory in the 500th game for Kelliher. The Bulldogs have allowed only one touchdown in each of their first five games.
“We were inside their area to get something done and we messed up, made a mistake, and hey — if you want to be a good football team that doesn’t happen on a consistent basis. If you are a 4-0 team, that shouldn’t happen — straight and simple,” said Kelliher, who’s record stands at 294-198-8.
Kelliher was emotional recapping the days events and it meant the world to him to have his 100-year old head coach from his playing days, Walter Paster, in attendance, who he still — to this day — has breakfast every Thursday in Abington and still calls him ‘Coach’.
“It was nice. I’ve had a terrific opportunity to be here in Abington for 50 years-plus. I grew up here, three years as an assistant with Walter Paster, and became a head coach and been at it for 48 or 49 years. It’s wonderful, it really truly is, and I cherish it.”