REVERE — You could feel a collective sigh of relief from Tanner nation last night…finally.
After three dismal weeks of an anemic offensive attack, the Tanners finally got untracked last night, defeating Revere, 21-0, at Harry Della Russo Stadium to break the ice with their first win of the season.
Peabody had touchdown runs from Eric DeMayo (6 yards), Elijah White (9 yards) and Noah Freedman (6 yards) along with three extra-points from kicker Austin Leggett in its first multiple score game of the season.
As crazy as it seems, the turning point may have come on the first play of the game, a Revere fumble recovered by Nolan Murphy, on the opening kickoff that gave Peabody a short field field at the Patriots’ 24-yard line. Peabody needed just five plays to cash in on a 6-yard touchdown run by DeMayo. DeMayo looked to be stopped at the line of scrimmage as he swept to the outside, but stiff-armed his way into the end zone to give the Tanners a 7-0 lead after Leggett nailed the extra point.
“That was just a huge turnover to start the game,” said Bettencourt. “That was enormous, it gave us a lot of momentum and we finally blocked up front. Tonight we had some push, we hit the holes, we still need more consistency, but overall, getting the ball and scoring off that first turnover was huge for us.”
While it was a promising start, the rest of the half for both teams, was an exercise in offensive futility as neither team was able to move the ball for the most part. Peabody managed only 80 yards in its four possessions, two of which ended in punts and a third on a missed field goal. Revere was even worse, with only 52 yards from scrimmage in its four possessions, two of which ended in punts (both of them less than 20 yards with no returns), one in a turnover on downs and its final drive came to end as time expired at the end of the half.
With a 7-0 lead and the ball to start the third quarter, Peabody started on its own 31 after a 10-yard return by Cole Cuzzi, but was backed up 10 yards on holding penalty. DeMayo (11 carries, 73 yards) got that back and more on the first play of the drive, taking a handoff from quarterback Jonel Espinal and breaking loose 49 yards all the way to the Revere 29-yard line. He was nearly down at the line of scrimmage, but put on the jets and was in the clear only to be caught from behind by Revere junior Jonathan Murphy (4 carries, 18 yards and 2 catches, 10 yards) with a touchdown-saving tackle. Peabody picked up two more first downs on the next two plays on a 5-yard run by Freedman and 11 yard pickup by junior Jake Souza (2 carries, 21 yards), then White (3 carries, 18 yards) darted off tackle, untouched, into the end zone from nine yards out to make it 14-0, Tanners.
Peabody’s final score was set up by Michael Lock, who blocked a Patriot punt, and Dariel Canela, who recovered the ball at the Revere 25-yard line. The big play on the drive was a fourth-and-2 conversion at the Revere 22 by Freedman (6 carries, 24 yards), who shed two tacklers on a gritty 12-yard pickup to the Revere 16, then ran it in from the 6 to make it 21-0 after Leggett’s point after, his third of the game.
Revere’s freshman quarterback Calvin Boudreau had some success throwing the ball, but two interceptions proved costly. Boudreau finished 8-for-13 for 95 yards. His favorite receiver was junior Badr Haou, who had a big night for the Patriots with four catches good for 73 yards.
For the second straight week, Peabody platooned Espinal (4-for-7, 48 yards) and Colby (1-for-2, 4 yards) at quarterback.
Peabody also marked another milestone last night as the Tanners attempted their first field goal in five years under Bettencourt.
“We have never, ever attempted a field goal in the five years that I have been here, and I wasn’t happy that it was blocked,” said Bettencourt. “I think if Austin got another shot at it, he would have made it, no question.”
Peabody’s (1-3) next game is against Masconomet Friday night, while Revere entertains Medford at home Friday night.
