A-B, Mercury rise, deny Chelmsford again

CHELMSFORD - It would have been a win for the ages if it hadn't been its 10th straight against Chelmsford. But Acton-Boxboro will take it, even if it is getting a little repetitive.

The Colonials beat Chelmsford, 26-20, last night on the back of Akeem Mercury's 5-yard touchdown run with 35 seconds left at George Simonian Alumni Stadium. The win was A-B's 10th straight over the Lions, including three postseason wins. A-B faces unbeaten BC High next week.

Mercury also scored on a 5-yard run in the second quarter. Junior running back Jack Souza helped make both of Mercury's TDs possible. Mercury followed Souza into the end zone on his first touchdown, and Souza set up the short winning dive with a great kickoff return, putting A-B at Chelmsford's 45.

"Everyone's looking at Trevor Jeanson and Mercury, Souza made a couple of big runs, too," said Maver.

Jeanson, who scored four touchdowns the previous week, punished would-be tacklers on the Colonials' first drive, leading to Mercury's scoring run. Jeanson also gave A-B a 14-12 lead in the third, juking past defenders, then diving into the end zone on a 14-yard run. He also dived for a touchdown on a 3-yard run that gave the Colonials a 20-12 lead with nine minutes remaining.

Chelmsford's comeback was inspired by an unlikely source. Sophomore running back Joe Gennaro took the field after star Evan Sheridan (10 catches, 94 yards) was shaken up. Gennaro plowed through numerous Colonials, putting his team in position for a big play. Senior Mike Crafts ( 10 of 13) fired deep downfield and hit Andy Carpenter for 25 yards. Crafts then helped the Lions tie it with a quarterback sneak.

Sheridan shined during Chelmsford's punishing first possession, touching the ball nine times for a total of 57 yards. The drive was capped by sophomore tight end Andy Basler, who hauled in Crafts's 5-yard toss on an effective play-action pass. Joe Palumbo's point-after attempt sailed wide left, but the Lions held a 6-0 lead after possessing the ball for the first nine minutes.

After Mercury put A-B ahead, 7-6, Crafts and fellow quarterback Aaron Everleigh (7 of 9, 72 yards) helped Chelmsford answer before the end of the first half. Coach Bruce Rich chose to go with Everleigh under center on fourth and 1 at the A-B 3 with four seconds remaining. Everleigh rolled right and fired a high pass to the back of the end zone, where it was picked out of the sky by a leaping Mike Aronian, giving Chelmsford a 12-7 lead.

The Lions had 35 seconds to put together some magic after Mercury's second TD.

After connecting on a 9-yard pass to Sheridan, Everleigh threw in desperation while being dragged down by Jeanson and misfired. His pass was picked off by Robby Ruggiero, ending Chelmsford's comeback bid.