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Marshfield Edges Duxbury, 44-43, in Classic Thanksgiving Shootout

11/29/2014, 12:45pm EST
By Brian Shacochis

The most common criticism of the new Massachusetts state football playoff system is that it sets up Thanksgiving games that "don't matter."

Good luck trying to sell that to any of the Marshfield or Duxbury players.

The 2014 version of the annual Thanksgiving battle was an instant classic.

The game quickly evolved into an offensive shootout, evidenced by the 87 points scored and 859 yards of combined total offense, all compiled in a shortened game with 10-minute quarters.

The game had 7 lead changes along the way, but the final one helped Marshfield eke out the win in a 44-43 final.

The Rams lacked rhythm out of the gate. Despite scoring on their drive (on a 39 yard scoring strike from Jack Masterson to Danny Dalton), the Rams allowed 3 straight unanswered scoring drives by the Dragons, allowing Duxbury to go ahead 21-6 midway through the second quarter.

However, as they have done consistently over the past two seasons, the Rams remained cool under the pressure of adversity, and perhaps most importantly, they showed belief at all times that they would win the game. They set out to make that happen by closing the half with consecutive scoring drives to enter the locker room facing just a single point deficit, 21-20, in favor of the Dragons.

The first of the two scores came on a 32-yard run by Jacob Maher. The final score of the half was recorded with just 11 seconds remaining, as Masterson connected with Dalton again from 18 yards out; Dalton caught the ball just outside the 10 and managed to fend off a pair of Duxbury defenders as he dove with the ball extended to break the plane inside the pylon for the touchdown.

The Dragons stayed hot in the third quarter, scoring on their first possession, but Masterson helped the Rams answer by finding Frank Catanoso in the end zone on 4th and goal from the 4 yard line. Masterson rushed in for the conversion to tie the game at 28.

The teams traded touchdowns on the next 4 possessions. Marshfield pulled out their bag of tricks to help set up their next score, as Masterson pitched the ball to running back Adam McNamara, who faked a run before turning and throwing the ball back to Masterson, who rumbled 45 yards downfield to the 1 yard line, where Jacob Maher finished the drive with a touchdown run on the next play.

Marshfield's final scoring drive included a critical 4th and 6 conversion at the Duxbury 15, as Masterson hit Dalton once again for a 10 yard gain. Masterson finished the drive with a 4-yard TD run, putting the Rams within 1 point at 43-42. The deciding points came moments later, as Masterson found Maher in the end zone for the two-point conversion that would ultimately serve as the game-winning play.

As a result of Marshfield's win, the holiday rivalry stands deadlocked at 14-14-2.

The Rams will now turn their focus to the state championship game against Longmeadow next Saturday at Gillette Stadium. Go Rams!

Tag(s): News  Varsity