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Winthrop Vikings Football '08

Fri, Sep 12, 2008 07:00 PM @ Winthrop
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Gloucester 14 7 0 7 28
Winthrop 7 7 0 0 14
Fishermen faithful Allysa Ramsdell, 16, left, Charlene Porter, 16, and Leif Akerley, 16, try to keep dry before the start of Friday night's game in Winthrop. » Roger Darrigrand, Staff PhotographerMore photos

Fishermen Defeat Vikings

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Saturday, September, 13 By Matt Langone
Staff writer

WINTHROP — Last night, even with the rain coming down all game, Gloucester football’s 2008 season opener at Winthrop’s Miller Field was a matchup of different offensive styles. A powerful running game won out as Gloucester defeated Winthrop, 28-14.

The Vikings (0-1) preferred to air it out with quarterback Will Milano while also getting the ball into the hands of senior captain and running back Chris Beranger.

Gloucester (1-0) passed the ball only twice in the first half and that was when time was running out in the second quarter. Fishermen senior running backs Giacomo Romeo and Luis Hernandez were the standouts as the duo split carries with both finding immense success. Romeo finished the first half with 59 yards on nine carries while Hernandez had 71 yards on seven carries.

Senior defensive back Ross Carlson helped the Fishermen get on the board first when he intercepted a Milano pass. Gloucester followed with a 9-play, 53-yard drive that was capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Romeo. The Fishermen missed the extra point but still led 6-0.

Winthrop responded with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Milano to Beranger, who was the best player on the field last night. In the first half, Beranger had three catches and 62 yards while also carrying the ball seven times for 29 yards rushing. A Milano kick put the Vikings up 7-6 in the first quarter.  

Gloucester proved that a quick strike offense can happen on the ground just as fast as through the air when they retook the lead thanks to a 3-play, 66 yard drive. Hernandez had the exclamation point for the short possession when he juked and sprinted his way into the end zone from 40 yards out. Hernandez also added the 2-point conversion run, giving the Fishermen a 14-6 lead with 35 seconds left in the first quarter.

After holding Winthrop to a three and out, Gloucester’s first possession of the second quarter was another impressive display. The Fishermen marched 70 yards in four plays, Romeo punched it in from a yard out and kicked the point after to give his team a 21-7 lead.

The highlight of the game for Gloucester occurred on that drive with a 57-yard run from senior running back Taylor Burbine, who looked like Reggie Bush at USC. Burbine made a bunch of Winthrop tacklers look silly with a series of jukes and cuts.

Winthrop seized a great opportunity late in the first half when Gloucester muffed a punt at its own 19-yard line. Winthrop recovered the ball and scored when Milano found Beranger for a 12-yard touchdown pass. The 5-foot-11, 185 pound back dove to catch it in the corner. Milano’s point after cut Gloucester’s lead to 21-14 heading into the break.

The deteriorating field conditions didn’t help matters in the second half as both defenses controlled play. Burbine had the lone score of the second half as he scored on a 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the Fishermen up 28-14.

Gloucester comes home next Friday to face non-league foe Masconomet (7 p.m.). It’s the start of five consecutive home games for the 2007 Division 2A Super Bowl and Northeastern Conference champions.

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