RallyNorth.net

Whittier hits bump, then dominates Shawsheen

Saturday, October, 24 By David Willis
Staff writer

BILLERICA – Whittier offensive lineman Jordan Britton admitted his team was stunned.

“It was tough,” said Britton. “We knew we had to shake it off somehow and make up for the mistakes that we made.”

After jumping out to a quick 14-point lead, the Wildcats saw the advantage disappear when Shawsheen scored its second touchdown of the half with 41 seconds left.

But resilient Whittier needed only 31 seconds to march down the field and retake command with a score as time expired, and went on to dominate the second half on the way to downing the archrival Rams 38-14 yesterday afternoon.

“We were down when they tied the game up,” said Wildcats (7-0) coach Kevin Bradley. “To drive it the length of the field with just a picture-perfect two-minute drill was huge. We work on the two-minute drill all the time, but we never work on a 31-second drill. Everything was clicked and that was the momentum shift for the game.”

Whittier seemed to be in full control with a 14-0 lead. But Shawsheen (2-4) rallied back to tie the score with a score on offense and defense. At the same time they had held the Wildcats to three straight three-and-outs.

Following the Rams’ second score, however, Whittier took over at its 44-yard line.

“That drive was huge,” said Britton. “We knew we had to do something because if we didn’t, we’d come out slow in the second half. After we made a few plays, we just got going.”

After running single-wing for much of the first half, the Wildcats went to the air and QB Dillon Ryan responded. The senior hit on all four of his passes, capping the drive off by rolling to the right, then lobbing a pass left to a wide-open Ralph Hancock.

“After the first pass I had a good feeling,” said Ryan, who had thrown an interception that was retuned for a touchdown earlier in the quarter.

“I started hitting receivers and we started moving the ball down the field. I knew we could do it. When we scored the touchdown it was amazing.”

Following that score, it was all Whittier in the second half. The Wildcats rolled to 173 yards rushing in the final two quarters, compared to 79 in the first half.

The defense was just as dominant, allowing only 55 total yards in the second half, 33 of which on one long run against the Whittier backups. Cory Foss, who rushed for 394 yards against North Shore Tech, was limited to 54 yards on 14 carries, and the Wildcats’ Hancock picked off a pass.

“Our defense was incredible,” said Britton. “Nate Allen, Donny (Leighton)and the guys. They just make plays.”

Nick Ferreira led the dominant Wildcats ground attack, rushing for a game-high 126 yards on only 14 carries. Eight different Whittier players carried the ball, with Mark Asemota (7-36) and Allen (4-30, TD) also adding impressive days.

Ryan, who entered the day leading the area in touchdown passes (15) continued to add to his totals. He opened the scoring with a 4-yard score to Hancock, then connecting with Kobie Green-Jackson on an impressive 31-yard TD before his game-changer to Hancock. He finished the day 12-of-20 throwing for 124 yards.

“We’re flying high right now,” said Ryan. “And there is more to come.”

Additional stories:

• Whittier hits bump, then dominates Shawsheen