A-B goes the distance

WAYLAND — Zoraiz Saad assured that ActonBoxboro’s season ended in celebratory fashion.

With Acton-Boxboro leading by eight in overtime, Saad came through with the game-clinching interception as the senior corralled a tip-drill pick to give the Colonials a dramatic 29-21 win over Wayland on Friday night at Wayland High School.

“We said to the kids in the fall that whatever we get out of this season is a gift,” said Acton-Boxboro coach Tim Bassett said. “We were able to get through it all and I am just so happy for these seniors. It’s a great group.”

Trailing 21-14 with just over 1:40 to play, the Colonials (5-1) chances of ending the season on a highnote were slim. Senior quarterback Sean Kelly, however, had other ideas as he rifled a 23-yard pass to Graham Brady to move the ball down inside the Wayland 10-yard line. The Warriors appeared to have the game won when a fourth down pass went incomplete, but a holding penalty kept the Colonials alive.

Kelly took advantage, skying a 5-yard touchdown pass to Brady through the rain and wind to tie the game at 21 and send it to overtime.

In the first series of the extra session the Colonials struck first as Tyler Clayton ran in from two yards out before Jed Hoggard corralled the two-point conversion pass for a 29-21 advantage.

That’s when Saad stepped up with the play of the game. On second-andgoal, the Wildcats tried a pass off an end-around but Brady tipped the lofted throw into the end zone and Saad corralled it to send the Colonials home in style.

“When the ball was in the air it was just slow motion,” Saad said laughing. “Finally it landed in my hands and I was just in shock.”

The two sides went into the half even at 7 with a 1-yard TD run from Jaison Tucker (22 carries, 93 yards) on Wayland’s opening possession before Hoggard reeled in a 14-yard reception to even the score.

The score remained tied, 14-14, heading into the final stanza, but Wayland jumped in front 21-14 with 9:04 left when Luke Tacelli found Nikolas Dresens who scampered for a 21yard score.

Wayland looked to have the game in hand when with three minutes left the Warriors stopped ActonBoxboro on four consecutive plays inside the 10yard line to force a turnover on downs. The Colonials defense, however, came up big forcing a three-and-out to give their offense prime field position and set up a photo finish.