RallyNorth.net

Painful loss for Timberlane

PLAISTOW — It was bad enough for star Timberlane running back Jacob Post that he had to watch from the sidelines Friday night, just days after learning that he was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
“It’s just killing me not being out there,” said Post. “I really want to be playing.”
Almost as painful for Post, however, was watching the Owls get dismantled by Nashua North, falling behind 27-0 in the first half before dropping the season opener, 48-24.
It seemed like Timberlane was in shock in the first half, as if dazed by the absence of their senior standout as they were outgained 251-17 and outplayed in every phase of the game.
But, the poor start had nothing to do with the absence of Post, according to Timberlane coach Kevin Fitzgerald.
“We practiced all week (without Post) and were ready, but we just had too many mistakes and missed assignments.”
Nashua North scored four of the first five times it had the ball, paced by the running of RJ Jenkins, who gained 221 yards on just 15 carries, many of them around the left side, and the passing combination of Mike Loveless to Austin Ouellette.
Ouellette benefited from a couple of missed assignments and finished the night with four catches for 143 yards and three touchdowns, two of the scores going for 38 and 54 yards.
Offensively, Timberlane was hurt by sub-par line play, particularly in the first half. That resulted in five sacks of quarterback Dan Hayes, who was sacked six times overall and finished with minus 43 yards.
Trailing 27-0 at halftime, the Owls showed some energy in the third quarter, driving right down the field for their first of three touchdowns, a one-yard sneak by Hayes.
Sophomore Matt Licata ran hard in the second half and Brendan Frezza was effective throughout the evening, catching five passes for 72 yards.
Justin Berube had a pair of catches, including one for a touchdown, and was also effective on defense as was brother Brandon Berube and Kyle Gleason.
The fourth quarter belonged to the reserves, one of whom was Post’s younger brother, sophomore Ben Post. Cole Jean scored on a 3-yard run for Timberlane’s final touchdown.