October 31, 2023 By Kevin Riordan
The day started with two undefeated teams squaring off for the league’s top spot and ended with Hingham edging reigning champ Natick 6-0 to be the only unbeaten team. Fans witnessed what true grit and toughness looks like from both sidelines as the game went down to the last possession. This stingy defense has only been scored on once all season and it was fitting that they made a late stand to win it. The playoffs await with Hingham in the #1 spot atop the standings earning a bye next Sunday.
From the get-go the defense was aggressive with linebacker Daniel Lovendale sacking the Natick QB for a loss and Cam Forger crushing the running back to force a punt which Johnny Heller returned 15 yards setting up good field position for the offense. Making well earned starts on the offensive line Will Taylor and Ryan Crespi created a lane for RB Evan Tomasello to sprint outside for a first down. QB Hudson Garrity followed blocks from John Peterson and Will Berkeley for a 12 yard run and another first down. With adverse weather conditions, the Raiders offense kept the ball on the ground early as QB Garrity juked a defender and ran outside a key block from Jack Hart to sprint 32 yards setting up a first and goal at the 2 yard line. Tackle’s Frank Cavagnaro, Denny Costello and Duncan Wilder created a big hole in the defense which Garrity scampered through for the touchdown and a 6-0 lead. The linebackers continued to create havoc in the Natick backfield as Andy Gerlach, Cam Forger and Mason Aframe made tackles to force a turnover on downs.
In the 2nd quarter the Raiders ripped off multiple first down runs by Garrity and Tomasello but were nullified by penalties. Natick brought the pressure and forced the Raiders to punt. The defense once again stood its ground as Garrity, Shamus Devine made tackles to hold Natick in check and force a quick turnover on downs. Tomasello and Emmett McCarthy followed lead blocks from Braden Oun for another first down but the stable defense from Natick forced a turnover on downs to close the half.
The second half was a defensive standoff as the Lovendale brothers combined for a sack, then Frank Cavagnaro pressured the QB leading to a Shamus Devine sack for a loss that forced a Natick punt. Natick began moving the ball downfield threatening to score inside the 20 yard line, but the “bend but don’t break” mentality of the defense led by vigorous tackles from Cam Forger, Denny Costello and Heller forced a critical stop on 4th down by Costello with under 6 minutes remaining in the game. The back breaker play came when QB Garrity stood at his own 10 yard line and fired a long pass to WR Shamus Devine for a 45 yard gain. The defense collectively shut down a last ditch effort from Natick as time ran out.
Many thanks for the time and selfless dedication coaches Glenn Forger, Michael Garrity, Scott Huber, Mike Taylor, Shane Nolan, Mitchel Syp, Jake Heller and John Peterson give to this team each week.
Its on to the playoffs for the 7th graders over the next 2 weeks.
Great reporting