RallyNorth.net

Watson, Hillies bounce back

ACTON — Haverhill football was already furious over the memory of last week’s Division 1 North tourney loss to Everett.

When Acton-Boxboro marched down the field for a touchdown on the opening drive on Friday night, the Hillies were simply enraged.

“After Everett put up 35 points on us we didn’t want to let A-B score,” said senior Aaron Brooks. “Then we gave up that touchdown and we were mad. But we made some adjustments, and proved we are a big time defense.”

The Haverhill defense dominated the rest of the way — with Teshaun Watson grabbing two of the Hillies’ four interceptions — and Broghean McGovern and the offense did the rest on the way to a convincing 33-13 victory over Acton-Boxboro in the consolation bracket.

“We wanted to make another team feel the wrath of that Everett loss,” said senior Pedro Santiago. “We wanted this one bad. The guys played hard, and we got back on track with a good win against a tough Acton-Boxboro team.”
Entering the game without an interception on the season, Watson stepped up to squash a pair Colonial scoring chances.
Both of his interceptions came with Acton-Boxboro in the red zone — the first at the Haverhill 15-yard line and second at his team’s 6.
“I had my opportunities tonight and I made the most of it,” said Watson. “I was studying their QB and he kept looking in the same direction. I was reading him tonight, he did the same thing and the balls went into my hands. I needed to make those big plays for the team. They have faith in me to make plays like that.”
Jukka Morales also intercepted a pass, and Brooks set up a score with an interception he returned 40 yards to the 21-yard line.
“I was mad at myself because I missed a pick in the end zone,” said Brooks. “I had to make up for it. And Teshaun was huge. We let him sit free and read the QB, and he was reading him so well and making plays.”
The Haverhill offense needed no time to heat up. On the Hillies’ opening drive, McGovern connected with Morales on a 57-yard touchdown pass.
After fullback Jason Tufts gave the Hillies the lead with a 1-yard score, McGovern struck again on the final play of the first half with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Brooks as time expired.
The Hillies set the game out of reach at the start of the fourth, when McGovern connected with Santiago on a 21-yard touchdown pass. Watson added the final score on a 1-yard run.
Now with one game to go before Thanksgiving, Haverhill has no plans of letting up.
“We still want to make this season count,” said Brooks. “We want to be 9-1. We want to have the best team in school history. So we have to finish this off.”