Balance the key in Bishop Fenwick football win

PEABODY – The Bishop Fenwick football team got off to a bit of a slow start against Hamilton-Wenham Friday night, but the Crusaders? balanced and consistent offensive attack wore down the Generals defense, and they ended up winning, 27-6.Stealing the show for Fenwick was quarterback Matt Renzulli, as he completed 10 of 14 passes for 130 yards and three touchdowns. Fenwick?s Rufus Rushins supplied most of the rushing offense for the Crusaders, as he carried the ball 17 times for 111 yards and one touchdown. Fenwick as a team rushed for over 150 yards on 30 carries.The Crusaders did not get off to a magnificent start, as Fenwick turned over the ball on downs on its first drive of the game. The Crusaders defense picked up the offense, as David Hurley intercepted the Generals quarterback on their third play from scrimmage. Fenwick cashed in six plays and 61 yards later, when Brian Fitzpatrick caught a 16-yard pass from Renzulli in the end zone. Fenwick was successful in completing its 2-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead midway through the first.Fenwick then hit a bit of a dry spell for the next 10 minutes of play, but its defense kept the score in the Crusaders favor. At the six-minute mark in the second quarter, Fenwick was forced into a fourth and seven on Hamilton-Wenham?s 32-yard line. Fenwick coach Dave Woods decided to keep his offense on the field, which paid off in a big way. Renzulli hit Cody Mullen with a 32-yard strike down the right side of the field for Fenwick?s second touchdown of the game.?This was the biggest play in the game,” Woods said. “Hamilton was doing a good job keeping our offense in check for most the first half, but this play really seemed to give us complete momentum, and control of the game.”Fenwick carried that momentum in creating a quick three and out defensively, to get the ball back in the hands of its offense. The Crusaders found the end zone two plays later, as Rushins sprinted 48 yards down the left side of the field until he was tackled at the Generals two-yard line. Rushins punched it in the end zone on the very next play to give Fenwick a comfortable 20-0 lead at the end of the first half.The Crusaders and Generals traded scores in the second half, as Fenwick was never threatened in the second half.