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Whittier rolls past Georgetown

Saturday, September, 17 By Steve Palladino

AVERHILL — After allowing last week's opponent (Revere) a game-winning drive, Whittier's mission yesterday was simple: ball control and momentum.

"Today we learned how to close out a game," said Whittier head coach Kevin Bradley following his team's 28-13 win over Georgetown.

"In the second half you could see that we were not giving the ball back. In our first two games (both losses) we were giving the ball back quick — like in three plays. However, today we held on to the ball."

The trustee of the ball was senior quarterback Shane Surette, who rushed for 121 yards, including a 38-yard second-quarter dash for Whittier's first score of the day.

"We wanted to go into those first two games and show that we could compete with Division 1 (Revere) and Division 2 (Stoneham) teams," said Surette, who also completed 4 of 5 passes. "Those games helped us get better and today we came out and closed the game."

Surette's opening score capped a six-play drive, and with the two-point conversion rush by sophomore Craig Boisselle, the Wildcats had an 8-6 edge and the lead for good.

Whittier's initial touchdown also proved to be the shortest of Whittier's four scoring drive.

"If we don't execute, we are in trouble," said Bradley. "It was important for us to control the ball."

The Wildcats scored on its next possession, a grind-it-out 10-play drive that took the clock near the end of the first half and culminated when Boisselle went in from 5 yards out. The drive, which started at the Whittier 14, received its biggest boost when Surette broke loose for a 43-yard run.

By the second half, Georgetown was trying to regain the offensive momentum that it had in the first half when two long drives resulted in a missed opportunity.

The Royals started the game moving the ball from their own 27 to the Whittier 8. But a motion penalty, intentional grounding (15 yards plus loss of down), and an incomplete pass took the Royals out of field goal range.

On its second series, quarterback Tyler Wade found Colby Ingraham on an 11-yard pass play and a 6-0 lead. But the missed chance on the game's opening drive that set the tone for the game.

"The first drive was key and we self-destructed in the red zone," said first year head coach Paul Sobolewski. "We aren't the type of team that can let those opportunities get by, We are young (three seniors, five juniors) and we have to take advantage of opportunities to score."

Whittier put the game away with second half drives of 11 and 10 plays, respectively, eating up a combined 11:29 of the clock. Surette had the first score — a 14-yard run — and senior Victor Munoz cashed in from 6 yards out.

Georgetown responded with Wade's second TD pass of the day, this one to Tom Zargaj, the quarterback's favorite target (nine receptions,115 yards).

"They have a good little football team over there," said Bradley."So it was important for us not to give them the ball back too much."