The story of the matchup between Cape Ann League powers quickly turned into the Chris Splinter story.
Masconomet beat Wilmington, 35-20, last night to take over first place in the CAL Large thanks to Splinter, who scored three touchdowns and passed for two more for the host Chieftains.
With the win,
Splinter started the scoring with an 85-yard punt return to give Masco a 7-0 lead after one quarter. In the second, the margin went to 14-0 when Splinter threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Collin Burke. Wilmington closed the margin to 14-6 on Evan Butters’s 30-yard run.
But Masco restored the two-TD lead before intermission when Splinter hooked up with Jake Lawrence for a 23-yard score.
Early in the fourth quarter Wilmington and Butters scored again, this time on a 9-yard pass from Sean Hanley. But Splinter scored twice more in the fourth quarter - runs of 62 and 7 yards - to seal the win.
BC High 34, Malden Catholic 12 - The No. 15 Eagles (4-3, 1-0) notched their first Catholic Conference League win behind strong rushing efforts by Preston Cooper (two touchdowns) and Brendan Collins.
Greater Boston
Everett 42, Medford 14 - The Mustangs led, 2-0, after one quarter before the 10th-ranked Crimson Tide exploded for 28 second-quarter points. Jonathan DiBiaso threw for three TDs and ran for another.
Malden 32, Somerville 16 - Shakarus Semexant ran for two TDs and passed for another to lead the Golden Tornados (4-4, 2-0) over the Highlanders (2-5, 0-2).
Merrimack Valley (Large)
Billerica 42, Lowell 7 - Quarterback Nick LaSpada did it all for the No. 7 Indians (7-1), returning an interception 42 yards for a touchdown, throwing three TD passes, and running 70 yards for a score.
Central Catholic 24, Chelmsford 14 - The No. 13 Red Raiders (7-1) did all of their scoring in the second quarter, but that was enough as Zack Lattrell ran for two TDs.
Westford 17, Lincoln-Sudbury 0 - Zach Ingalls scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter and caught a 23-yard TD pass from Patrick Dugan to pace the Grey Ghosts (4-3).
Acton-Boxboro 28, Waltham 25 - Trailing, 25-20, late in the fourth quarter, the Colonials mounted a 12-play, 5 1/2-minute drive to win. The key play was on fourth and 9 from their 42. Dana Duquette tossed a screen pass to Rob Goguen, who ran 22 yards for the first down. Jake Sumner eventually punched in a 9-yard TD to cap the drive.
Nonleague
Taunton 28, Canton 26 - Cabrinni Goncalves ran for three TDs and the Tigers (5-3) held off the Bulldogs in a wild finish. Max Kamin rushed for a 52-yard touchdown to bring Canton within 2 in the closing minutes, but the Bulldogs were stopped on the tying 2-point try.
Franklin 21, Stoughton 7 - Nick Colson threw a pair of TD passes and the No. 11 Panthers shut down the Black Knights to move to 8-0.
Middlesex
Reading 48, Burlington 27 - In star running back Tino Perrina’s absence, Ryan Pollock shined for the No. 3 Rockets (8-0), rushing for 360 yards and four touchdowns. Stanley Andre ran for two long TDs, 40 yards in the second quarter and 60 yards in the third.
North Andover 35, Triton 8 - Zac Iovanella rushed for three TDs.
Dual County (Small)
Arlington 29, Wayland 28 - Gabe Salazar ran 7 yards for a TD and then ran in the 2-point conversion to rally the Spy Ponders past the Warriors for their first win. Greg Moulten ran for a 2-yard TD with about three minutes left to get Arlington in striking range.
Patriot (Keenan)
Scituate 34, North Quincy 6 - The Sailors (7-1) advanced to 2-0 in the Patriot League with a convincing win. Morgan Billings caught two TD passes from Tyler Park and also ran for a score for Scituate.
Westwood 14, Dover-Sherborn 0 - The Wolverines (8-0, 6-0) got two touchdowns from Sean Amaru and rolled past the Raiders (2-6, 2-4).
Holliston 42, Norton 8 - Sean Mayo passed for two TDs and the Panthers (8-0, 6-0) throttled the Lancers (5-3, 3-3).
Boston English 32, Charlestown 0 - Senior running back Melvin Booker rushed for 138 yards on 11 carries and scored two first-quarter TDs, powering the Bulldogs.
Latin Academy 26, Hyde Park 6 - Cuong Nguyen led the way for the Dragons, running for three TDs.
O’Bryant 32, Dorchester 0 - The Tigers (4-2, 1-1) routed the Bears (3-4, 1-1) behind a strong performance by Conway King (two TDs).
