By Ian Maloney

The Sachems suffered a tough loss Friday the 9th against a Division 2 team , The Dartmouth Indians, 27-14. The Sachems would lose the first home game of the season, but that didn’t stop the fans in the stands cheering them on the whole game.

The game started off and Dartmouth got on the board quickly and ended the first quarter with a 10-0 lead over Middleboro, with one field goal and a touchdown pass. Despite big plays on special teams from Mackenzie Allioth, returning two kicks for one 50 yard gain and one 75 yard gain, the Sachems would not be able to get onto the board in the first half , going down 17-0 with Dartmouth scoring another touchdown.

The offense would never come for the Sachems in the 3rd quarter either and Dartmouth would score another field goal. Clear frustration was coming from the Middleboro sidelines, from both the players and the coaches. The breaking point for the Sachems was in the fourth quarter when Dartmouth was attempting a field goal after great plays on the Sachem’s defense. When the ball was kicked it was deflected and blocked by two Middleboro players. Chears erupted from the crowd immediately but soon quieted down when the Dartmouth holder had caught the blocked attempt and then ran it for a touchdown, extending the already enormous lead. Players threw helmets and stomped as they walked back to the sidelines, but the Sachems still stayed focused.

In the last minute of the game,the ball was in the hands of Middleboro’s Quarterback , Evan Gwozdz. The ball was snapped and there was immediate pressure on him in the pocket. With no receiver open , Gwozdz bursted from the line of scrimmage and ran for about 25 yards right to the goal line until he was tackled. The Sachems quickly lined up to try and prevent the looming shut out. With about 38 seconds the Sachems scored their first touchdown of the season to end the shutout. Middleboro would then have to kick the ball off to Dartmouth , but would gain possession after a Dartmouth player messed up the catch and a Middleboro player dropped onto the ball at the 5 yard line. This would set up the next Middleboro touchdown and be the final score of the game of  27-14.

Despite late game heroics  the Sachems would not have enough time to amount a massive comeback. There was a concurring theme in Middleboro’s offense, that they would make huge plays to get to the opponent’s side of the field but then not able to make another first down. The Sachems had more chances throughout the game but could not capitalize until late. Is it just rust from a long off-season , or will it be a constant problem throughout the Sachem’s season? We might be able to find out during their next game , on Friday, September 16th at Apponequet. Be there to support the Black and Orange!