On Thursday September 16 the Walpole Rebels took to the gridiron again under downpours and this time their opponent was the Raiders of Wellesley.  Wellesley came into the game 1-0 and were confident that this would be the year that they would finally be able to top the Rebels.  Walpole was determined to put an end to their hopes as they played their first game under the brand new lights.

The first quarter was highlighted by a 60 yard bomb from senior quarterback Troy Salvatore to wide receiver Dave Conroy for a touchdown.  The extra-point was no good and the score going into the second quarter was Walpole on top 6-0.  Senior quarterback and Captain Adam Farina went down mid-way through the second quarter after he suffered a serious leg injury that required him being taken off in an ambulance.  The Rebels responded with another Salvatore to Conroy hook-up, this time for 44 yards, and another touchdown.  Walpole chose to go for two and got the points after a quarterback keeper by Salvatore.  Walpole was up 15-0 going into halftime.

The Rebels came out for the second half and continued their dominance.  Late in the third quarter, sophomore defensive end David Driscoll picked up the ball after a blocked punt and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown.  After a missed extra-point, Walpole was in the lead 20-0.  The fourth quarter was almost all Wellesley as they finally had a long drive.  Just when the Raiders were about to score, Wellesley fumbled on the Rebels 3 yard line.  The Rebels continued to run out the clock and Salvatore even busted out an impressive run to inside Wellesley’s 10.  The Rebels scored again, but the touchdown was taken back after a penalty.  The game ended with the final score of Walpole 20 to Wellesley 0.  This game showed not only Wellesley, but the rest of the Bay State League that the Rebels are not only back this year, but looking for a Herget title and a serious playoff run.