Nashoba fends off Rangers

Guthrie scores go-ahead TD

» For the second week in a row, the Nasboba Regional football team found itself in a battle that was not decided until the final possession of the game.

And it was a repeat of opening weekend as the hosts defense stood tall yet again to propel Nashoba to a hard-fought 14-7 victory over Westboro High.

“We are definitely a second half team,” said Nashoba head coach Andy LeBlanc, whose team improved to 2- 0 on the year. “The kids really showed some guts. We really minimized our mistakes and made a lot of great plays in the second half.”

With just over two minutes left on the clock, Westboro had the ball at its own 25-yard line with a chance to drive down the field and tie the game. Junior James Borsari made the defensive play of the game when he stripped the ball out of Westboro’s Kevin McCarthy arms, giving Nashoba back the ball and sealing the win.

Nashoba wasted little time taking control as it embarked on a 13-play drive that ended in an Owen Fitzsimmons 32-yard field goal, giving the hosts a 3- 0 lead with 5:40 left in the first quarter.

Westboro took the lead midway through the second when McCarthy bulldozed his way in from three yards out. Cameron Erickson booted through the extra point, giving the Rangers a 7-3 lead.

Nashoba scored the final points of the contest with 10:15 left in the fourth quarter.

After senior captain Josh DiGeronimo was forced off the field with an injury, sophomore quarterback Michael Guthrie made his lone snap of the game a memorable one as he scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown when he snuck in from a yard out. DiGeronimo came back in to run in the conversion as Nashoba held a 14-7 lead.

“Michael’s always ready to go,” LeBlanc said. “He is also our long-snapper, backup quarterback, our backup DB. Wherever we plug him in, he makes plays.”

DiGeronimo had a strong game for Nashoba. A week after just completing one pass, the signalcaller was an efficient 6for-12 with 129 yards passing.

“Josh is coming along,” LeBlanc said. “It definitely gives us some balance, and we are definitely going to try to work both aspects.”

Nashoba will visit Oakmont Regional for a 6 p.m. kickoff next Friday night.