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Diefenbach's fourth quarter TD gives Peabody first victory

Friday, September, 28 By Phil Stacey
Sports editor

PEABODY | A high school football game 75 years in the making produced a grand total of nine points.

But that mattered not to the Peabody High football team, who came away with a victory they were so desperately seeking.

Playing their first official Northeastern Conference game, the Tanners got a fourth quarter touchdown from captain Scott Diefenbach and held the fort defensively from there, toppling Danvers, 6-3, last night at Coley Lee Field.

When the final seconds ticked off the scoreboard clock last night, the Peabody players exploded in joyous celebration, hugging and high-fiving each other after the program's first victory since last Oct. 27. First-year head coach Dick Woodbury was just as ebuillent, pumping his first enthusiastically when the contest ended.

"I really think we found ourselves as a team tonight," said Woodbury, his team now 1-3 on the season. "It took us a while to get here | players and coaches | but we got here."

So how will they keep the momentum going, he was asked?

"We'll keep that scoreboard lit up all week to remember this," smiled Woodbury, pointing at the final score.

In a defensive struggle, Nick Pellino's 33-yard field goal in the final minute of the first half had given visiting Danvers (0-4) a 3-0 lead. It stayed that way late into the third quarter, when Peabody went on a 15-play drive that ate almost eight minutes off the clock.

But on 4th-and-goal from the Falcons' 1-yard line, the Tanners were whistled for a 5-yard motion penalty, then couldn't convert on the next play. It seemed as though their best chance to score went by the books.

Instead, the Tanners' defense held strong and forced Danvers to punt, giving the hosts the ball back on the Falcons' 38-yard line. This time, they marched downfield in six plays, keyed by a 9-yard run from sophomore Mark D'Addario, another 9-yard burst from Diefenbach followed by a 12-yard scamper from D'Addario.

On third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Diefenbach | who had played quarterback the last two games | took the ball on a fullback plunge and went over right tackle for the score. It was Peabody's first TD at home since last Oct. 13.

"With Tommy Ciulla (back from a separated shoulder) back for us at QB, we moved Scott to the fullback position," said Woodbury. "I think he really wanted to play the (feature back) role, but he's willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. He really gave up that hero role to do what was best for us, and it worked out great."

To its credit, Danvers gave itself two chances to score after Peabody's go-ahead touchdown. But a 32-yard field goal attempt sailed far left, and, with 29 seconds left, a 4th-and-10 pass from the Tanners' 16-yard line from sophomore QB Greg Ladd (10-for-18, 103 yards) was deflected away by Peabody defensive back Joshua Green.

"We played well defensively, but overall made too many mistakes," said Danvers head coach John Sullivan. "Maybe we got a bit run down at the end. Still, we did give ourselves a chance to win it at the end.

"Peabody really played inspired ball in the second half. That No. 41 (Diefenbach) had a great game."

Junior Nick Hiou had an interception for the winners, while Joe Moroney blocked a punt.