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Whittier makes a statement against Chelsea

Saturday, October, 22 By Jeff Hamrick

HAVERHILL — It might not have been a league game Whittier won yesterday, but the Wildcats figure they let future Commonwealth rivals know their ready for the stretch run.

Whittier routed Chelsea 34-9, defeating an opponent that was allowing only 13.6 points a game and has beaten a couple of Commonwealth teams still ahead on the Wildcat schedule.

“They’ve responded two weeks in a row,” coach Kevin Bradley said of his squad that has won two straight by a combined 66-15 after a league loss to Northeast. “I told them they can win the rest of their games and be in the hunt for a Super Bowl.

“This is a statement because (Chelsea) has beaten many teams in our league. Teams that we have coming up. So, I think this was very important to these kids to let them know they’ve come a long way.”

Yesterday’s leader was Scott Bonneau who had two touchdowns on his first three carries of the afternoon. The sophomore kick started the Wildcats with a 28-yarder on Whittier’s first possession then blasted a 65-yarder on the enusing possession for a 16-0 lead with 5:26 left. Both runs came on a trapping reverse.

“It’s spin 24,” said Bonneau, who added a touchdown reception in the third for Whittier’s final score. “I like it because it sets the tone. But the O-line did a great job blocking, so I have to give them credit.”

Nine different Wildcats combined for 246 yards rushing on 37 attempts (6.6 yards per carry). Victor Munoz had Whiitier’s other rushing touchdown on an 11-yard carry early in the third for a 22-0 lead.

Whittier displayed its offensive diversity, scoring quickly (three drives of four plays or fewer) and as well as methodically (two drives of 11 plays or more).

The most important possession might have started with 1:12 left in the first half and Whittier leading 22-3. Instead of running out the clock, Bradley wanted another score before intermission. Three plays and 55 yards later, Shane Surette connected for 15 yards with Andrew McGrath, who made a nice move at the goal line for a 28-3 lead with 23 seconds remaining. It might prove to be a drive the Wildcats can draw on later in the season and needing a score late in a game.

“We’ve been working on the passing game,” Bradley said. “Shane Surette is a phenomenal quarterback. Everybody is starting to gel offensively. We’re runnign the ball and throwing well.”