By: Austin Mendes
Captains (L-R) Joe Rubini, Ray Thibault, and Matt McGuiggan shake hands prior to the game
WARE, MA -
57 miles away from home, and a 2 hour drive for the Cougars was where the Cougars would kickoff their playoff run. The MIAA's new playoff format set the matchup up in western Massachusetts between 2 seed Ware and 15 seed Old Colony.
The banged up Cougars were coming off of a 36-22 season finale loss to Case High School. Without workhorse Chris Egan, who was sidelined with a deep tissue bruise, the Cougars would be in for a fight. Ware, who was 8-0, were coming off of a 28-14 victory over Greenfield in their season finale. The stage was set to kickoff the state playoffs.
Old Colony kicked off the game with a 60 yard scoring drive that ended in a touchdown by junior Jake O'Neil. Ware would drive down the field on the ensuing drive, and on fourth down, they would throw up a fade in the corner of the endzone that would be defended by Xavier Pratt of Old Colony, to give the Cougars back the ball.
Old Colony warms up prior to their playoff game vs Ware
A huge rushing play by quarterback Matt McGuiggan would be all for naught as Ware would force a turnover on downs. Ware would drive down the field and score a touchdown off of a halfback toss. A converted point after attempt would set the game at 7-6 Ware.
Coming out of Ware's scoring drive, the Cougars were looking to answer. But, a pass that would sail over WR Shawn Markham's head would end with an unnecessary roughness penalty on Ware that would give the Cougars a first down, but it would knock Markham out for the game with an injury. A beautiful punt from backup punter Matt McGuiggan would set Ware deep in their own territory.
Ware would score on a deep passing touchdown that would give them a 14-6 advantage, which is what the halftime score would remain as. The opening drive by Ware in the 2nd half would result in a touchdown off of a halfback toss. The PAT was good to make it 21-6.
A strong drive by Old Colony helped by big passing plays from McGuiggan and a big kickoff return by Legault would end with a touchdown run by the quarterback. A successful two point conversion by O'Neil would bring the Cougars within 7. (21-14 Ware).
McGuiggan examines the defense prior to the snap
Unfortunately for the Cougars, Ware would break off a long touchdown run and convert the point after to make it 28-14. On the ensuing drive, McGuiggan woul throw a deep ball to Trevor Taveira in double coverage that would be caught by the junior receiver.
Trevor Taveira hauls in the deep ball in double coverage
The Cougars would fail to score on the drive, a designed QB power by Ware would put them up 35-14 over the Cougars. On the final drive for Old Colony, Matt McGuiggan would throw an interception that would seal the game for Ware, ending Old Colony's hopes of Gillette Stadium in December.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
The entire team
Matt McGuiggan calls the play during an earlier game vs South Shore
The player of the game award could not have been given to just one person during the game. Despite the outcome, the team fought hard until the end. Losses to Chris Egan and Shawn Markham did not hold them back from putting up a fight to a team that was projected to blow them out. The team showed life throughout the game and had each others backs. This is why I named the entire team as player of the week for this week's game.
Cougar Statistics:
Passing:
McGuiggan:
4-7
54 Yards
1 INT;
57.1% Completion Percentage
42.3 QB Rating
Rushing:
McGuiggan:
17 carries; 111 yards; 1 TD; 6.5 Yards/Carry
O'Neil:
8 carries; 29 yards; 1 TD; 1 2PT; 3.6 Yards/Carry
Markham:
7 carries; 27 yards; 3.9 Yards/Carry
Silva:
5 carries; 13 yards; 2.6 Yards/Carry
Quin:
5 carries; 13 yards; 2.6 Yards/Carry
Thibault:
1 carry; 6 yards; 6 Yards/Carry
Legault:
1 carry; 4 yards; 4 Yards/Carry
Taveira:
1 carry; 2 yards; 2 Yards/Carry
Receiving:
Taveira:
2 receptions; 31 yards; 15.5 yards/catch
Legault:
1 reception; 20 yards; 20 yards/catch
Burnham:
1 reception; 3 yards; 3 yards/catch
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Cougars will host Pathfinder RVTHS (Palmer, MA) at Oliveira Field on Friday November 12 at 7 PM in the vocational playoffs.
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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