A-B comes up large as it knocks aside L-S

SUDBURY - Fleet footwork and stout defense gave Acton-Boxboro sole possession of first place in the Dual County League Large.

"They played well all night long," coach Bill Maver said of his defense after the Colonials' 15-6 victory over Lincoln-Sudbury last night. "Those guys up front were unbelievable. They wanted it."

"The defense came to play," running back/defensive back Trevor Jeanson said. "We had full speed and we took it to them."

The quick feet of running backs Akeem Mercury and Jeanson and the blocking by Alex DiBartolomeo and cohorts allowed A-B (8-1, 3-0) to move the ball.

By halftime, Jeanson had racked up 105 yards on 16 carries.

The Warriors (7-2, 2-1) struggled to stay on their feet in the first half, compiling only one first down and tallying just 36 all-purpose yards.

Acton-Boxboro led, 7-0, at halftime on Jeanson's 13-yard touchdown with 10:24 to go in the second quarter. Jeanson escaped several defenders before getting to the end zone.

It seemed as if the Warriors might gain some momentum following the first A-B touchdown. Senior captain Derek Lowe caught a 20-yard pass from quarterback Michael Antonellis, setting up L-S at midfield, but the Warriors then went three and out.

The second half also belonged to the Colonials. Mercury's 10-yard touchdown run with three minutes left in the third quarter put A-B up, 13-0.

The Warriors finally put some points on the board with nine minutes left in the game, Michael Baranowsky diving for an 8-yard touchdown pass from Antonellis. But Colonials linebacker Robby Ruggiero blocked Lowe's extra-point attempt and safety Max Tejeda ran the ball 88 yards into the Lincoln-Sudbury end zone for 2 points.

"He picked it up and he just had a convoy behind him," Maver said. "I think it completely changed the momentum."

Jeanson finished with 154 all-purpose yards and "probably one the greatest feelings I've ever had in my life."

Mercury noted that if his team "brings it every game, no one can stop us."