By: Austin Mendes
Quarterback Matt McGuiggan calls the play during Friday night's action
ROCHESTER,MA-
Friday Night Lights. It is what every high school football player dreams about. To play football in front of family, friends, and fans. Although this may not have been the first time Old Colony has played a game under the lights on Oliveira Field, this night was special.
The Cougars played their first opening night game under the new permanent lights. The lights are courtesy of Electrical instructor Edward Cabral, who throughout the past few years has been working on installing the lights for the football field. The Cougars played two games to finish the Fall II season under these lights, but tonight was the first time they got to showcase them in front of a large crowd of fans.
Inviting back alumni from years before, the Old Colony athletic department was happy to reveal the lights, completely finished... but this was not the only thing being revealed.
The Old Colony gridiron club had their own project on their hands. With Gridiron President Tracy Eldridge leading the way, the Cougars unveiled their brand new concession stand.
The brand new concession stand serves its first customer
Prior to kickoff, the voice of the Old Colony Cougars, Norman L'Heureux Jr, graduate of the CADD program at Old Colony in the class of 2015 held a moment of silence in honor of the importance of the following day, September 11. 2021 marks the 20th anniversary of the attacks of the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93 which crashed in Pennsylvania. Current and former service men and women were honored prior to the game.
The Cougars stand for the national anthem prior to the game
Now... to the game...
Old Colony began its scoring in a rare way. Backed up on their own 1 yard line, Bristol Plymouth was forced into a safety as Junior Matt McGuiggan tackled Craftsman RB Cody Guild in the endzone.
Up 2-0 and receiving the ball back, Old Colony drove down the field with strong runs from McGuiggan, Egan, and Legault. The drive concluded with a 6 yard touchdown run by Junior RB Ryan Silva, this touchdown as well as being Silva's first career varsity touchdown.
The Cougars halted Bristol-Plymouth's ensuing drive thanks to a big sack on 3rd down by Sophomore Ryan Letendre. Receiving the ball back, Old Colony drove down the field and scored off another 6 yard rushing touchdown by Junior Ryan Silva, his second of the game.
Sophomore Ryan Letendre leaps in the air in an attempt to knock down a pass
The Cougars defense applied pressure to BP senior Quarterback Sean Cochrane. Senior captain Joe Rubini and Junior defensive end Chris Egan also recorded sacks, Egan's resulting in a strip sack, in which BP recovered. "I went out there and did my assignment like we are coached to do." said Captain Joe Rubini who had a huge defensive game for the Cougars.
Following a three and out on the Cougars' second half opening drive. Bristol Plymouth Senior Running back Cody Guild rushed for a 33 yard touchdown, making it 14-7 Cougars.
With the tandem of Egan and Silva driving the Cougars down the field, Old Colony scored with a touchdown run by Senior captain Ray Thibault, his first varsity touchdown.
McGuiggan rolls out as he is chased by Craftsmen defenders
Following Thibault's touchdown, an onside kick by Ryan Silva would turn out to be successful, as it was recovered by Junior Special Teamer Jake O'Neil. The Cougars drive would stall out although. Bristol Plymouth's drive would be halted by Cornerback Matt McGuiggan's forced fumble.
The Craftsmen would hold Old Colony and drive down the field, as Cochrane would connect with Senior WR Tim Grant on a slant route, pulling BP within 6, making it 20-14 OC.
This touchdown would lead to another BP drive, in which the Old Colony defense stood tall, forcing the clock to run out resulting in a 20-14 Old Colony opening night victory.
Senior Joseph Rubini brings down Craftsmen Running Back Cody Guild
Cougar Statistics:
Passing:
- McGuiggan: 3-5; 23 yards
Rushing:
- Silva: 14 carries; 104 yards; 2 TDs
- Egan: 27 carries; 135 yards
- Thibault: 5 carries; 21 yards; 1 TD
Receiving:
- Egan: 3 receptions; 23 yards
Defensive:
- Rubini,Egan,Letendre: 1 sack
- McGuiggan: 1 Safety; 1 Forced Fumble
PLAYERS OF THE GAME
Junior Ryan Silva
Ryan Silva follows Guard JJ Pelletier into open space
The Junior Running back would carry the pigskin 14 times tallying 104 yards and 2 scores. The Cougars relied on him on the goal line and he came through. Along as the kickoff specialist, Silva would pin the Craftsmen deep in their own territory allowing the Old Colony defense to have plenty of breathing room. "It was a great win, shout out to the offensive line doing their job, letting me run behind them all day, letting me get a of yards and getting touchdowns." (Silva following the game)
Junior Chris Egan
Chris Egan breaks through a tackle of a BP defender
It would've been a mistake if you didn't mention the workhorse of the night. RB Chris Egan would carry the ball for a total number of 27 times tallying 135 yards. "A lot of credit to the offensive line, the discipline we've mastered over the last 3 weeks has been phenomenal." To go along with this, he would also have 3 receptions for 23 yards. Egan was a menace on the defensive side of the ball as well, disrupting the Craftsmen offense multiple times, including his strip sack. "It was an amazing game, we are a tough team that's going to give a lot of teams trouble this year... it was definitely how Friday Night football should be played."
WHAT'S NEXT?:
The 1-0 Cougars travel to Harwich to take on the 0-1 Cape Cod Tech Crusaders for a Mayflower Athletic Conference match-up. The game will be held on Saturday, September 18 at noon. The game will be at Cape Cod Tech High School.
NOTE FROM AUTHOR:
Special thanks to Stasia Finney for the photos from the game! Here is the link for photos of the Cougars throughout the season! Also, for a complete total of stats for the season, head on over to the stats page. I will try and be updating it every week!
Thank you for taking your time to read this article!
If you have comments, questions, suggestions or anything please feel free to reach out to me! My contact information can be found in the "About" section of this website. I'd love to hear from you!
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