Walpole High School football hosted Braintree High School on Oct. 24 for their senior night. The game, which resulted in a 31-7 victory for Walpole, bringing their record to 3-4 overall and 2-1 within the Herget division. This game was Walpole’s last regular season home game of the year, making it a farewell game for the graduating seniors.
After winning the coin toss, Braintree decided to punt to Walpole to start the game. On the opening play of the game, sophomore quarterback Cole Pilleski’s helmet was knocked off, allowing Walpole to advance 15 yards. Despite the momentum gained from this penalty and two subsequent rushes by senior running back Dillon Needham, Walpole was forced to punt. After sophomore lineman Zach Lamereaux nearly gave Walpole a safety, Braintree also had to punt, giving the ball back to Walpole on the 42 yard line. Needham continued to move the ball down the field until Pilleski scored Walpole’s first touchdown of the game with a pass to senior receiver Jack English. Junior kicker Mateo Filipi subsequently made the extra point, bringing the score to 7-0 in favor of Walpole. With only 1:38 left in the quarter, Braintree failed to score before time ran out.
The second quarter began with Braintree kicking the ball off to Walpole. Needham nearly scored a touchdown on the return, but Walpole was sent back to the 33 yard line after a holding penalty. In response to this setback, senior running back Joe Carter rushed for 22 yards, bringing Walpole to the 11 yard line. Soon after, a rushing touchdown by juniorDylan Katz and a following extra point kick by Filipi lengthened Walpole’s lead to 14 points. After a stop by Lamoureux and junior lineman Matty Myers, Braintree was again forced to punt. Another 22 yard rush by Carter drove Walpole upfield, ultimately resulting in a rushing touchdown by Needham. After another extra point by Filipi, the score was 21-0. After an 11 yard sack by Lamoureux and a major tackle by senior cornerback Jerome Mallory, Braintree kicked the ball back to Walpole. Walpole moved forward with a 12 yard pass from Pilleski to junior wide reciever Aidan Hoyle and a first down by Needham. Walpole made its way to the three yard line before one of Pilleski’s passes was intercepted by Braintree linebacker Matt Erler, ending the half.
Braintree started the half with the ball. They were quickly pushed to third down with 15 yards to go by Walpole’s defense. An 11 yard rush by running back Ethan Elie brought Braintree close to the first down line, but they were still forced to punt. On the return, Needham brought the ball to Braintree’s 47 yard line. After another drive by Walpole, English scored a two yard rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 28-0 after Filipi’s extra point. Braintree again received the ball, but were unable to make much progress upfield. Early in their drive, quarterback Gavin Farragher nearly made a 20 yard pass, but it was dropped. A passing interference penalty was called on the play, allowing Braintree to keep their drive alive, but they soon were forced to punt from Walpole’s 40 yard line. After receiving the ball, Walpole only had 1:13 left in the quarter to make their way upfield. Junior running back Mason Falcone rushed for 40 yards, bringing Walpole to the 36 yard line and Pilleski subsequently completed a 12 yard pass to English. Despite these plays, Walpole was unable to score before ending the third quarter.
Starting the fourth quarter, Walpole was 24 yards away from the endzone. Walpole was unable to progress far. Being 7 yards away from the first down line on their fourth down, Walpole settled for a field goal by Filipi bringing the score to 31-0. Braintree, again with the ball, slowly made their way upfield at the start of their drive. Braintree senior Caden Pina then made a 23 yard rushing play, marking the first time Braintree had gotten a first down all game not including penalties. After an incomplete pass accompanied by a penalty, Braintree was moved up to the 10 yard line. On the following play, Elie rushed into the endzone, putting Braintree on the scoreboard for the first time all game. After the extra point, Braintree had closed the gap to 31-7. Receiving the ball, Walpole ran down the rest of the clock, ending the game with a victory.
With their win, Walpole moved themselves to third in the Herget and 36th in the state. As they prepare for their postseason, it is likely their record of 3-4 will give them another home game during the playoffs seeing as they are now ranked sixth in division 4. To finish their season, Walpole has one more game against Dover on Nov. 1, where they hope to improve their record before officially entering the postseason.
