Natick finds a hole to beat Newton North
NATICK -- The Tigers bit hook, line, and sinker for Natick quarterback Nick Leverone's play fake to featured back David Taylor. As the Newton North defense swarmed the left side of the line, Leverone carried the ball outside the right tackle untouched, leading the Redmen over Newton North, 26-20, in overtime last night at Memorial Field.
''My line blocked unbelievable," said Leverone. ''The defense bit and there was a huge hole, an open pass for the score."
Leverone, filling in for injured quarterback Bill Flutie, finished 12 for 18 for 252 yards to lead the No. 10 Redmen (4-0) past No. 9 Newton North (3-1).
''Nick was great," said Natick coach Tom Lamb. ''They had a great run defense, they really shut down Taylor. That opened up the deep pass and we made some big plays."
Newton North captain Jason Riffe opened the scoring with a 22-yard run up the middle. Natick senior Eric MacKenzie blocked the extra point.
The Redmen countered on their first play from scrimmage. Leverone fired a pass to heavily-covered senior Pat Williams along the home sideline. The ball sailed through cornerback Cory Lowe's hands, allowing Williams to snag the reception and take it 66 yards for the score. Mike Russo's extra point gave Natick a 7-6 lead.
''We went for the quick pass after their score and Pat made a great catch," said Lamb.
Leverone saw the TD strike as the game's turning point. ''That was so important," he said. ''We came out soft, that got us started, picked us up. We needed that rebuttal."
After a three-and-out defensive stand, Redman returner Brandon Lovelace broke a 51-yard punt return to extend the Natick lead. Lovelace caught the ball at Natick's 49-yard line at the far hashmark, dashed across the field, eluding would-be tacklers, and beat punter Kyle Ross to the corner of the end zone for the score. Russo's kick made it 14-6.
Newton North's second half started as badly as the first ended when quarterback Khalel Pritchard (11 passing touchdowns through three games) went out with a jammed right shoulder midway through the third quarter. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Ross eased in, connecting with Darius Abramson for a 6-yard touchdown pass, then with Lowe for the 2-point conversion to tie it at 14.
Natick regained the lead with 6:15 remaining as senior Reshaude Goodwyn made the play of the game for a 40-yard score. Leverone rolled out and fired down the home sideline, where Goodwyn and Lowe were stride for stride. Goodwyn leaped, snatched the ball, and backpedaled into the end zone from 5 yards out.
''It's a great luxury," said Leverone. ''All I have to do is throw it up there and I know Reshaude will come down with it."
The Tigers came back with a 10-play, 70-yard drive to tie the game. Riffe again found pay dirt but Ross was unable to connect on the extra point.
Natick drove to the Tiger 30-yard line but ran out of clock, forcing overtime.
Newton North won the toss, elected to go on offense first, and drove the ball to the 3. On fourth down, Redman captain Kevin Eldridge pressured Ross, who couldn't find a receiver before being dragged down.
''Great defense," said Lamb. ''My coaching staff made a great call. We were expecting a rollout and brought pressure from the right."
After a pair of Natick rushes put the ball on the 3, Leverone's play fake won the game as Redmen players rushed the field.
