Westford, Reynolds feast on Acton-boxboro Junior receiver scores three touchdowns in 35-10 win
ACTON >> Quinn Reynolds provided some Thanksgiving Day stuffing against Acton-boxboro.
The Westford Academy junior caught a pair of touchdowns, while recovering a blocked punt for a third, as the Ghosts topped Acton-boxboro, 3510, in the 31st meeting between the schools Thursday at Leary Field.
Westford (7-4) clinched its third straight Turkey Day victory over the Revolution (2-9), with A-B leading the all-time series 22-9.
“It’s a good win,” said Westford Academy coach Bruce Rich. “We set standards at the beginning of the year and one of them is beating A-B on Thanksgiving. That’s what we want to do, so it feels good.”
Trailing 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, Reynolds helped spearhead the Westford comeback. The junior receiver caught a Jake Cullen pass for a 6-yard touchdown with 6:35 left to play in the half. But it was his TD recovery off a blocked in the third quarter which seemed to ignite the Ghosts’ offense during a dramatic 22-point swing.
The junior capped his morning by grabbing a 47yard Hail Mary heave from
Cullen for his third touchdown, giving Westford the decided 20-3 edge.
“It feels awesome,” said Reynolds. “But it’s not about me, it’s about the team. This is a win we look forward to all season. That’s been our motto, that’s been our standard, and we live by that. Its definitely a big win. We’re going to celebrate it.”
Westford got off to a stalled start, with a pair of touchdowns waved off due to penalties. Junior captain Alex Wilson’s 70-yard bolt on the opening snap was flagged due to a holding call. The Ghosts’ first drive ended with Cullen throwing an interception to Lucas Da Rosa at the 35.
A-B took full advantage charging into the red zone, before Mohan Ssengonzi kicked a 23-yard field goal, giving the Revolution the 3-0 lead with 3:37 left in the first quarter. And when Cullen’s 13-yard end zone scamper in the closing moments of the first half was also flagged, the Ghosts found themselves behind.
Despite the stagnant start, Cullen never lost his cool. The senior signal caller helped rally the troops, sending in Reynolds for the 6-yard TD reception, giving the Ghosts the 6-3 lead by halftime.
“We put in that first TD play earlier in the week,” said Rich. “It’s a trick play where we roll out to the right and Quinn comes back. He was wide open. He just does a great job finding space and finding open grass.”
According to Rich, his team hung tough after its slow start.
“We turned the ball over four times in the first half,” said Rich. “Any time you turn the ball over it’s going to hurt you, but it’s just a testament to our guys going into halftime, figuring it out and putting 22 points on the board in the second half. We just need to come out and execute.”
The Ghosts’ defense did an effective job closing in A-B in the second half by forcing a punt. Junior Cooper Durgin blocked the kick, with Reynolds pouncing on the pigskin in the end zone for his second touchdown. And when Cullen raced in on the ensuing two-point conversion run, Westford held the 14-3 lead.
“Cooper and I blitzed off the side,” said Reynolds. “He made an amazing block. I just saw the ball, got it and scored.”
Reynolds rounded out his awesome afternoon by catching a mammoth 47yard throw from Cullen, extending its 20-3 cushion.
“It feels awesome, especially a game like this,” said Reynolds. “Thanksgiving Day is one of the biggest games of the year, so I’m honored.”
Meanwhile, the Westford defense remained razor sharp. Jameson Moran intercepted an A-B pass on the next snap. The Ghosts took advantage of the turnover, with Wilson charging in on a 30-yard strike, giving Westford the commanding 27-3 lead.
A-B managed to score off a hook and ladder play with seconds remaining in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 28-10, but the damage was done.
Wilson killed any thoughts of a Revolutionary comeback, taking a Cullen pass 34 yards to the house. Ryan Kyle added the extra point kick to hold the decided 35-10 lead with 10:00 left to play.
“This is the best I’ve ever felt,” said Wilson, who missed his last two Thanksgiving Day games due to injury. “It’s just an all-around good win for the team, for the family, and for everybody. Hopefully it continues.”