After fending off Framingham to win a tight game last week, Walpole went back to their dominating ways, destroying the Brookline Warriors 48-13, improving their record to 3-0. The game was nearly flawless—Walpole’s high-scoring offense scored on nearly every drive, led by senior captains Cam Hanley (3 touchdowns) and Mike Rando (2 touchdowns). The defense, however, had a few hiccups, specifically a few miscues that led to two Brookline TD’s. Brookline came into the game with only two TD’s combined in their previous two games.
The game started off the way the Rebels feared—giving Brookline momentum. Junior Will Bolster’s second pass attempt was picked and brought back inside the Walpole 10 yard line. Luckily, Brookline’s momentum quickly died after seniors Hanley and Ryan Finn made big tackles for losses that led to a turnover. The Rebels took advantage of this by driving down the field without a problem, capped off by a 44 yard pass from Bolster to Rando. Rando’s play was one of the main reasons why Walpole’s offense could not be stopped with 120 rushing yards on just three carries and 80 yards recieving on only four catches. That drive characterized the game for the Rebels showing Brookline that their offense could not be stopped by the lowly Warriors defense. On the ensuing drive, Brookline could not get anything started once again after a three and out. Walpole once again nonchalantly drove down the field capped off by a Cam Hanley 5 yard touchdown. However, Brookline could not be held down after wide receiver Anthony Jennings blew by Walpole’s secondary to haul in a 70 yard pass to put Brookline on the scoreboard. Fortunately for Walpole this was one of the few highlights for the Warriors were it was all Walpole from there.
Before the first quarter ended, the Rebels put a 34 spot on the scoreboard after Rando and Hanley combined for three more touchdowns to end the quarter. The run game success was due mainly to the play of the offensive line. Both the offensive and defensive lines dominated the game and was pushing the Warriors lineman back the whole game. As head coach Barry Greener said, “Brookline’s lineman were on roller skates the whole game.” Rebels continued to beat up on Brookline with Bolster finishing the scoring in the first half by scoring on a 8 yard run to put the Rebels up 41-13. This score ended the game for the Walpole’s starters as the backups were sent in to finish the game. Bolster once again improved and impressed everyone with a stellar performance ending with 190 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, one rushing and an interception. Walpole’s play was impressive to say the least to improve their record to 3-0 with their offense averaging just under 41 points.
Walpole once again beat up on a weak Bay State foe as they breezed by Milton 34-3 to improve their record to 4-0. Walpole got off to a hot start by dominating the Wildcat’s offense and constantly getting them to punt the ball in their own side of the field. This set up the offense to do what they do best, score. On the first drive, the Rebels drove down the field running the ball down the Wildcat’s throat capped off by a 10 yard run from Hanley. After a quick three and out by Milton, Walpole once again seamlessly drove down the field with ease this time with monster tight end senior Chris Collins hauling in a 10 yard touchdown pass from Bolster.
However it was not all great for the Rebels as they once again had a special teams blunder that have seemed to haunt them all season. Up 14-0 and Milton punting from deep in their territory senior punt returner Brad Webber who is near flawless in this department fumbled the punt that led to phenomenal field position for the Wildcats. But once again Walpole’s defense stepped up and forced Milton to kick a long field goal, their only score of the game. After sharing short unsuccessful drives for both teams, Walpole picked up the intensity once again when Rando scored on a shifty 22 yard run to end the scoring for the half. After the half, Walpole did not ease up as Bolster connected with Rando again on a 36 yard pass play that put the game out of reach. As the backups came in, the Rebels did not slow up as the second and third strings continued to push around Milton’s starters. This was highlighted when junior Kyle Raftery hauled in a 21 yard pass from senior Jared Porack breaking numerous tackles as he carried defenders into the end zone to end the scoring for the game.
As Walpole continues to breeze by their easy first half of the schedule they will take on their rivals from Norwood(1-3) on Saturday October 6th in Norwood. Although their record does not indicate it but Norwood is a good team who has been in every game this season including their devastating loss to Natick in the final seconds.
