Westie falters at finish

NEW BEDFORD -- Cape Cod Tech/Harwich held opponents to 5 1/2 points per game in the regular season, but the Crusaders had their hands full against a multifaceted West Roxbury offense that included a pair of 6-foot-2-inch-plus wide receivers.

Cape Cod Tech, however, found the offense to offset the Raiders. Led by James Hamilton's five touchdowns, they notched a 35-27 victory, setting up a Division 3A Super Bowl match Saturday against Ipswich.

So, what was wrong with the Crusaders' defense? "It wasn't so much a problem," said coach Dave Currid.

"They're a versatile team. They've got a great running back there in [Charles] Powell, and both [receivers] 25 [Kwamaine Wells] and 23 [Daryl Boswell-Sweet ] can take it to the house at any time. When you have that kind of diversification on offense, that puts a lot of strain on the defense."

With 5:37 left, Cape Cod Tech's Max Rosen intercepted a Keith Watkins pass at the Crusader 41. The ensuing drive, which took 2:04, was capped by a Hamilton 8-yard touchdown run, his final score of the game, making it 35-19, Cape Cod Tech.

Westie got the ball at the Crusader 49 after a short kick and a 2-yard return by Elijah Williams. After a roughing-the-passer penalty negated a Ryan St. Pierre interception, Rob Kennedy broke up a pass attempt on first down. On second down, Joe Kennedy and Mike Preservati sacked Powell for a 6-yard loss and on third down, St. Pierre deflected a pass.

On fourth and 16 from the opponent's 40 and trailing, 35-19, with 2:14 left, most quarterbacks would look for their favorite receiver downfield -- but not Watkins.

Watkins rolled left and dumped it to Williams, who then froze two defenders and ran into the end zone with 2:03 remaining.

The last time Williams scored was Sept. 22 when he returned an interception 50 yards. Powell rushed for the 2-point conversion, making it a one-possession game, 35-27.

Cape Cod Tech's P.J. Pina covered the short kickoff at the 50.

Tech put the ball in Hamilton's hands three straight times, but he was thwarted by the West Roxbury defense, setting up fourth and 1 from the Raiders' 41.

Westie called its final timeout after third down at 1:43, and if the Raiders could have stopped Cape Cod Tech on fourth down, they would have had enough time to try to tie the game.

But Hamilton, sticking to the script, followed his blocks and drove through the line for 2 yards, sealing the win.

"We were a little nervous because we were not used to getting scored on," said Hamilton (35 rushes, 210 yards). "But we kept our poise and scored every time that they scored."