Ashland finally gets the better of Holliston

With Holliston trouncing its first three Tri-Valley League Large opponents by five-touchdown margins, it was fair to wonder if any division foe would pose a challenge this fall, even fellow unbeaten Ashland, especially considering the ease with which the Panthers disposed of them under similar circumstances a year ago.

The host Clockers did a lot more than just challenge Holliston on Saturday, using a big day from senior quarterback Dom Cavanagh and two critical turnovers in the fourth quarter to pull a 35-29 stunner over the No. 7 Panthers, clinching at least a share of the TVL Large crown and moving to 6-0 on the season.

Cavanaugh was 18-of-24 for 259 yards and two TDs passing and added another two on the ground for Ashland, which snapped a 12-game losing streak at the hands of Holliston.

“We have had this game the circled on the calendar since last year,” said Cavanaugh of a 48-0 rout. “It’s a year ago to the day where we lost to them for the TVL Large, and we have been driven from that loss to do something special and we decided come together and take it to them. We have wanted this since we were freshmen.”

Ashland led 21-7 midway through the third quarter when Holliston began to operate with some urgency on offense, scoring twice in a little more than two minutes – both Tristan Benson rushes — to tie the game at 21-21, and entered the fourth quarter with all the momentum when Dylan Ibbitson sack jarred the ball loose from Cavanagh, giving it to the Panthers at the Clocker 22.

But Brandon Grover returned the favor with an interception at the 4, and Ashland marched 96 yards the other way, culminating in a 1-yard sneak by Cavanaugh that put the Clockers back ahead, 28-21.

Holliston (5-1) had the ball at its own 11 after a punt with just over four minutes left, but a bad snap on the first play put the ball on the ground and Ashland pounced on it at the 3. Three plays later Cavanagh was in again for the 35-21 edge with 3:36 to play.

Matt Arvanitis found Topher Ryan for a 2-yard TD with 2:10 left and a Benson conversion cut it to 35-29 with 2:10 remaining, but Ashland recovered the onside kick attempt.

Ashland first three scoring drives were 15, 10 and 12 plays, chewing up clock and keeping the ball away from the dangerous Holliston offense. The Panther lone TD of the first half came on special teams as Christian Schneeloch turned was nearly a disastrous muff into an 80-yard kickoff return.

“Super proud of our kids, (Holliston is) an awesome team,” said Ashland coach Andrew MacKay, who was a senior on the last Clocker team to beat the Panthers in 2001. “We thought we were capable.  We have great kids and they buy in.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2oNesC9