New Coach, New Quarterback, Same Tomahawks- Algonquin Tops Worcester North

It was a sterling starting debut for Algonquin quarterback Hayden Kea.

By Ethan Winter (@EWints)

WORCESTER – The Algonquin Tomahawks began their 2017 season where their 2016 season ended. This time, however, they walked away from Foley Stadium victorious after defeating the Worcester North Polar Bears 35-14 in dominating fashion.

“It’s a new year, the kids know what happened last season, but we really wanted to just focus on what we had to do to win today," first-year Algonquin coach Taylor Allen said.  "But sure, it feels great, especially for the coaching staff who worked their butts off last year. It feels good to finally get that sour taste out of our mouth."

"It feels great to get my first W with my brother Mark, I can’t be any happier than I am right now,” Allen added.

Allen’s first coaching win wasn’t the only first for the Tomahawks, as senior Hayden Kea got his first win as the varsity starting quarterback in his first ever varsity start.

“It feels really good, because we have been looking for some confidence because I’m a first time starter and so are a lot of other kids, so it’s really good to get that first win,” said Kea.

Kea got to show off his arm in the win throwing for well over 200 yards and three touchdowns, all of them connecting with Brett Casselini.

“We’ve been playing together for a long time so I guess you could say that we have been working on that,” said Kea.

“The game plan coming in was to put it up in the air and let our kids make plays and that’s what he did, he did a great job working in the pocket and avoiding contact and hitting the open receivers,” said Allen on the play of his quarterback making his first career start.

The Tomahawks got on the board early scoring a touchdown on each of their first two drives to take a 14-0 lead with 4:51 left in the first quarter.

The Polar Bears didn’t get on the board until 7:40 left in the second quarter when senior quarterback Javon Torres kept it himself and scampered 27 yards for the score to cut the Algonquin lead to 14-6.

The Tomahawks would regain their two possession lead when Kea found Casselini on a first and goal from two yards out to go up 20-6 with 4:51 left in the first half.

Algonquin wasn’t done scoring in the first half yet, however, as the Tomahawks would add a defensive touchdown into the mix on a strip sack and a scoop and score by John Fontecchio, who nearly had a pick-six a play earlier. 

Torres would then fumble again on the next drive and recovered by Algonquin, but the Polar Bears defense were able to hold their ground and force a turnover on downs as the Tomahawks went into halftime leading 28-6.

Algonquin would score one more time late in the third quarter when Kea would connect with Casselini for a third touchdown, this one a 49-yard catch and run, extending the Tomahawks lead to 35-6 with 10 seconds remaining in the third.

Despite the win, the Tomahawks will have their hands full next week when they host neighboring rival Marlborough, who is coming off of a big win over Leominster Friday night.

“They are a fast team, they are quick and their coaching staff is probably one of the best in Central Mass so it’s going to be tough to game plan for them like always," Allen said. "But as long as we put it in the work, we should be able to compete with them."