Mahoney, Norwood rally late
Matty Mahoney wanted to spice things up, Norwood football coach Manny Lopes said.
The senior dual-threat quarterback led the Mustangs to a thrilling, 25-24 victory over Holliston, running for 221 yards, and scoring four touchdowns, including the winning 5-yard keeper with 22 seconds remaining in the Tri-Valley League clash at Norwood.
But the highlight of Mahoney’s effort was his 64-yard touchdown reception on a reverse pass from Ryan Conneely earlier in the fourth quarter.
It was the embodiment of Norwood’s never-say-die attitude.
Trailing by 11 points entering the final frame, the Mustangs (4-1, 2-0 Tri-Valley League) did not lead until Mahoney crossed the goal line for a fourth time, this time in the waning moments.
“It’s seeing these guys not giving up,” said Lopes, in his fifth season leading his alma mater (Class of 2002). “It’s fourth and a mile, they get the first down. It’s fourth and a mile again, they get the first down.
“I’ve been here for a long time, where teams could’ve given up, and these guys won’t do it. They’ve got too much fight in them; it’s phenomenal to see the change.”
Mahoney had a 66-yard rushing score in the second quarter, making it a 10-6 deficit, only for Holliston (2-3, 1-1) to counterpunch on Brad Andreola’s 66yard kick return for a score.
Three plays later, Mahoney ran wild again, this time from 59 yards to make it 17-13.
Still, the Panthers appeared poised to pull away following a 27-yard touchdown run from Devin Harding on their first offensive set of the third quarter. Holliston proceeded to turn over the ball on downs and punt twice over its next three series, however, after which Mahoney hauled in his 64-yard touchdown reception.
After the Panthers struck for a 49-yard pass play, Norwood’s Brian Dearborn forced a fumble, recovered by teammate Jack Dwyer, giving the Mustangs the ball at their 21-yard line with 4:52 left.
Ten plays later, with another reverse pass for 44 yards mixed in — Conneely on a catch from Dwyer on a fourth-and-12 conversion to extend the drive — Mahoney capped his night with his winning 5-yard TD run.
“This isn’t a team that’s going to give up,” Mahoney said. “We have heart, we were ready to fight.”
Franklin 28, Taunton 27 — The No. 11 Panthers pulled out a wild victory after rallying for a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 4-yard pass from Justin Bianchetto to junior Kyle Walsh with five seconds remaining to stun the Tigers at Franklin.
Bianchetto completed 29 of 50 pass attempts for 279 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Walsh made 10 receptions for 99 yards and 1 TD catch.
Chelmsford 24, Lowell 17 — The Lions (1-4) rallied from an early 14-0 deficit to score a Merrimack Valley Conference win with junior quarterback Ryan Hart completing 19 of 27 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns in relief of injured senior Kyle Wilder.
“He was awesome tonight,” said Chelmsford coach George Peterson. “He hadn’t taken a quarterback rep in three to four weeks. So to step in and lead our offense was phenomenal.”
Canton 33, Oliver Ames 20 — Senior quarterback Owen Lane rushed for a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns and a 2-point conversion for the Bulldogs (3-2).
Medford 20, Somerville 0 — Senior defensive end Sam Nazarie recorded 13 tackles, including four for loss, and a sack, and he added 50 rushing yards, a touchdown, and a 2-point conversion on offense for the Mustangs (3-2).
Methuen 38, North Andover 21 — Shane Eason racked up 192 scrimmage yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the sixth-ranked Rangers (4-1, 2-0) to the Merrimack Valley win.
Natick 35, Newton North 21 — Sam Hubbard carried 21 times for 196 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Redhawks (3-2).
Plymouth South 34, North Quincy 7 — Justin Lachance rushed for touchdowns of 58, 33, and 21 yards, and Gavin Schultz sealed the Patriot League win with a 30-yard TD on a fumble recovery during a 20-point fourth for the Panthers (3-2).