For the first time since 1999 the Walpole Rebels fell to the Wellesley Raiders 7-6 last Saturday on the road. The loss snapped a 15 game winning streak over Wellesley in which the Rebels outscored them 462-117.

In a season marked by injuries to key players, such as seniors Tyler Berkland and Steve Cuqua, the Rebels are now in danger of clinching a playoff berth. To make it into the postseason the Rebels cannot afford to lose again.  Essentially, every game is an elimination game.

Due to the injuries to the starting backfield the Rebel offense had a lot of trouble moving the ball on Wellesley’s defense. Walpole went into halftime down 7-0 after Wellesley capitalized on a 15 yard personal foul and connected on a 19-yard halfback pass. At the half, the Rebels had one first down, which came by penalty.

Despite the offensive struggles, the Rebels did not count themselves out. Following an interception by junior cornerback Tim Hayes, Lovey Salvant ripped off a 43 yard touchdown run down the left sideline sprung by a pair of pancake blocks from tight end Nate Porack. On the following play, a Wellesley defender broke through the line and was able to get just enough of the ball to send Alex Caskie’s extra point short to keep the Rebels behind 7-6.

With 2:28 left in the game, Walpole got the ball back and mounted its first sustained drive of the game. Quarterback Charlie Auditore connected with his receivers Porack and Caskie for a pair of first down receptions.

However, the Rebels luck on offense ran out.

Facing 3rd and 12 Auditore dropped back to pass but was unable to find any open receivers; he scrambled and gained 10 yards but came up short of the first down. On 4th and 2 the Rebels called a counter run, but miscommunication amongst the offensive lineman created little room for Auditore to run. The Rebels were stopped for a loss, and Wellesley took 3 knees to end the game.

With the ESPN Boston game of the week against arch rival Natick coming up tonight at Turco, the Rebels are looking to bounce back. Natick (2-3) and Walpole (3-2) are competing for a spot in the Division 3 playoffs. For the loser, there will be no playoff berth.

“We had a good week of practice and I feel like everyone is in the right frame of mind headed into this game,” said senior linebacker Kevin O’Leary.