Maynard Dominates Turners Falls for Super Bowl Berth

By Connor Evans (@RonnocEvans)

LEOMINSTER, Mass. - The Maynard Tigers met the Turners Falls Indians at Doyle Field on Saturday evening, to see who would be representing Central/Western MA in the Division 4A State Final on December 3rd. The Tigers would win handily, dominating the Indians 44-6.

Both teams fought hard all night. Credit to Turners Falls for never throwing in the towel, no matter the deficit on the scoreboard. However, at the end of the night, Maynard’s offense was far too overwhelming for the Indians to handle.



First Half

Maynard: After a goal line stand resulting in a turnover on downs to open the game, the Tigers ran the football methodically. They would grind out 99 consecutive yards before Eric Kiley rumbled into the end zone, giving his team the lead they wouldn’t relinquish all night. 8-0 Tigers to end the first quarter.

Maynard: The defense forced the Indians to punt. Six plays later, Ryan McCormick would find his way into the end zone for the first of many times this evening. 14-0 Tigers with 7:34 remaining in the first half.

Maynard: The next Tigers’ drive would look pretty similar. Maynard marched down the field, putting the ball in McCormick’s hands, letting him punch it in for another score. 20-0 was the score with 1:45 left in the half.

Maynard: On a bizarre play in which Turners Falls seemed to just simply elect to not receive the ensuing kickoff, and rather let the ball sit on the ground in bounds, Maynard would recover on the opposing two yard line. And just like that, Alex Longo would find the end zone merely five seconds off the clock since his team mate had.

28-0 would be the score going into halftime.

“Offense tonight was clicking. It’s what they’ve done all season,” said Maynard coach Harold Oglivie.


Second Half

In the third quarter, neither team would score. Although it is definitely worth pointing out that Turners Falls saw some success throwing the ball down field a little more.

Maynard: Two plays into the fourth quarter, McCormick would find his third touchdown on the evening. Tigers led 36-0 at that point.

Maynard: With 7:00 to play, Alex Longo would intercept a ball from a driving Indians team that he would run all the way back (about 70 yards) for the Tigers’ final score, making it 44-0.

“That felt great,” Longo would say afterward. “Defense has played strong all year. I’m happy I was able to capitalize late in the game.”

Turners Falls: With 30 seconds left, the Indians showed their pride as Owen Ortiz caught a pretty pass from Tionne Brown to put Turners Falls on the board. The game would end 44-6.

Longo would say about his team after the game. “I love my guys. I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. We’re making Maynard history and we are taking it all the way."

“I’m so proud of these young men," coach Oglivie added. "They’ve worked so hard to get here and extend their season. These guys will be fired up for next week. They just want to play and they want to win.”