Big second half lifts Natick past Wellesley, 42-21

WELLESLEY — There have been so many close Natick-Wellesley battles over the years, a classic is almost expected whenever these two Bay State Conference rivals square off.

But Natick running backs Jake Adelmann and Nizayah Montas stripped Saturday’s showdown of all its drama, and it simply became a decisive win for the visiting Redhawks.

Both backs eclipsed the century mark as Natick broke out of a close game at halftime to earn a 42-21 win.

With the victory, Natick improves to 4-1, while Wellesley drops to 3-2.

“They’re both seniors,” Natick coach Mark Mortarelli said of Adelmann and Montas. “They prepare very well. They’re both tough kids. We’re happy with both of them. They both bring a little something different to the table. (Montas is) more of a bruising back, and Jake’s a little speed and a little wiggle. But they’re both tough kids.”

Adelmann finished with 147 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. He also had an interception in the third quarter that set up a Montas score. Montas had 109 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

As Mortarelli said, their styles are a little different, but Adelmann pointed out that it works in Natick’s favor.

“Tackling Izzy is just a force within itself,” Adelmann said. “Once he starts running the ball, running becomes easier because kids don’t want to tackle him multiple times. When you get him a lot of carries, I play off that because kids are tired because they’re tackling him. Then I feel like I can help him, because they’re waiting for me to go outside and Izzy runs it up inside. So we play off each other really well.”

Natick also threw the ball well with multiple quarterbacks. Colby LeBlanc played most of the game and completed 5 of 12 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Damon Taylor rotated in and threw less but still had valuable snaps.

“We like them both, a lot,” Mortarelli said. “Colby’s a senior that has put a lot of time in. He got injured in the preseason. He was like another coach in the preseason when he was out. We felt like we needed to give him a shot. We certainly know what Damon can do, and Damon’s terrific. We’re going to keep them both ready, keep them both going, and they both practice real hard and work real hard. Really can’t go wrong.”

The game was knotted at 8 at the half, but Natick started strong in the third quarter, as LeBlanc hit David Seiche for a 9-yard touchdown on the first drive out of the break. Adelmann then had his interception, and Montas plowed in from a yard out to help make it 22-8.

Wellesley stopped a Natick drive with a Carlos Giron interception, but Natick forced a punt and scored again, this time on a 12-yard Adelmann run to start the fourth quarter that made it 29-8.

The host Raiders battled hard, as quarterback Vincent Ferrara completed 18 of 34 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown and running back Jacob Parker had two touchdowns.

But Adelmann and Montas took turns making big runs in the second half. Natick ran the ball nearly at will in the fourth quarter. Adelmann added touchdown runs of 41 and 7 yards in the final 12 minutes.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3FzUrkI