Big effort from freshman QB Jake Attaway lifts Hudson to Div. 5 quarterfinals

READING – The Hudson Hawks started their playoffs the same way they did as the last time they made them in 2013: with a first-round victory.

No. 11 Hudson used its freshman quarterback and a stout defense en route to a 27-6 upset road win over No. 6 Austin Prep in the Div. 5 round of 16.

“It’s a great feeling for our kids,” said Hudson coach Dan McAnespie. “We’re excited. (The town of) Hudson is excited. … It was a good program win for us.”

In the first half, Hudson (8-1) dominated on both sides of the ball. The short passing game and quickness of senior captain Quinn O’Brien allowed the offense to control the tempo after it stalled out on its first drive.

On its first try, the Hawks’ defense stepped up with a Nick Tinglof interception that was tipped in the end zone. After that, Hudson needed just seven plays, including a 36-yard completion from freshman Jake Attaway to junior Kyle Areias, to capitalize with a 1-yard TD pass from Attaway to junior Will Jackson. The Hawks led 7-0 with 1:23 left in the first and never looked back.

“Defense will set the tone, if the offense can score the points and that is kind of how it worked out today,” McAnespie said. “In the first half, no points and that is what it is all about.”

After a three-and-out for Austin Prep, Hudson was back at it again on offense and in seven plays went 45 yards as Attaway hit senior captain Marcus Bass for an eight-yard catch and score to build a 13-0 advantage.

On the Hawks’ next drive, after getting a turnover on downs, O’Brien went 66 yards out to build a 19-0 lead for the Hawks at the half. O’Brien ended up with 192 yards on 22 carries and one score.

Hudson added one more score in the fourth on a seven-yard pass from Attaway to Areias to seal the victory at 27-6 after a two-point pass from Attaway to junior Caleb Luz with 10:22 left.

“(Attaway) throws a good ball,” said McAnespie. “He’s a ninth grader and he’s a good player. He is able to hit the kids that we need him to hit and he works hard.”

Attaway finished the day 13-of-18 with 137 yards and three passing touchdowns.

The lone bright spot for Austin Prep (4-5) was a 22-yard pass from sophomore Aidan Driscoll to senior captain Thomas Skeffington to make it a 19-6 contest with 4:31 to go in the third quarter.

The Hawks will face No. 3 Bishop Fenwick at 7 p.m. Friday in the Div. 5 quarterfinals.

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