North Quincy's game has no holes

RJ BARDEN Returns INT for TD

PEMBROKE - North Quincy won yesterday's game in the trenches.

The Red Raiders' offensive line dominated in a 32-0 victory over Patriot League rival Pembroke, opening numerous holes for North Quincy's stable of running backs. Five Red Raiders rushed for more than 30 yards, led by Brian Donaghey's 63. North Quincy finished with 259 yards and three touchdowns on 45 carries.

North Quincy coach Jim Connor, a former offensive lineman, was pleased with his line's play.

"Chris Bergeron, AJ Morfe, Joe Benoit, Mike Benoit, and RJ Barden have been playing together a long time," said Connor. "They know each other's limits and have great chemistry. That is so valuable."

North Quincy's defensive line was just as dominant. Pembroke was unable to get much push as North Quincy allowed a scant 51 yards on 21 rushes.

"We have a lot of returning starters on defense and that savvy has been really valuable," said Connor. "They understand the game, play aggressively, and get the job done."

The play of the game came from the Red Raider defensive line. Leading by 19 in the fourth quarter, Connor was still a little nervous. But Barden provided breathing room.

On Pembroke's first play after North Quincy took a 19-0 lead, Luke Leavitt dropped back to pass. Barden leaped to snare Leavitt's bullet then rumbled 32 yards down the sideline for a 26-0 lead.

"[Barden] is a heck of a player," said Connor. "That changed the game. It didn't feel that comfortable until that point."

The defensive line made another great play at the end of the first half, when Pembroke faced a third and 10 at its 15. Joe Benoit crashed through the middle of the Pembroke line and forced a fumble that North Quincy recovered at the Pembroke 7. Three plays later, Mike Stanton hit running back Pat Watkins on a swing pass for the 7-yard touchdown. A missed extra point made the score 13-0 at the half.

The Red Raiders broke the game open in the fourth. A 48-yard run by Donaghey gave North Quincy a first down at the Pembroke 5. On second down, Watkins scampered through an enormous hole for a 4-yard touchdown with just more than nine minutes remaining.

North Quincy's final score came while it was trying to run down the clock. Pembroke was overpowered on a 10-play, 56-yard drive that was capped by Terrell Staley's 14-yard dash.

Pembroke attempted to make the game interesting at the beginning of the third quarter. On the second-half kickoff, Andrew Chapman broke through arm tackles for a 64-yard return. Matt Jay saved a touchdown when he pushed Chapman out at the North Quincy 15.

After two runs for minimal gains, Leavitt tried a fade pass to Joe Memmo in the corner of the end zone. Jay had perfect coverage and was able to pick off the pass to preserve the 13-0 lead.