Using the words “battle” and “crazy” to describe Friday night’s football game against Nashoba, coach Jim Rabbitt and his KIPP Panthers (2-1) escaped with a 34-30 victory in enemy territory.
Jovan Machado (6 rushes, 155 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Morenel Castro (10 rushes, 140 yards, 3 touchdowns) led the way.
“Those guys really stepped it up with the ground game,” Rabbitt said. “Our offensive line played a really great game, too.”
Castro also caught nine balls for 107 yards and scored the game-winning touchdown with 90 seconds remaining on a tremendous individual effort on the ground.
From there, a recovered squib kick sealed the deal. KIPP hits the road to take on Leicester at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Classical 44
Somerville 0
The Rams (2-1) took care of business on the road, topping Somerville 44-0 behind quarterback Brian Vaughan Jr. (10 completions, 171 yards, 5 touchdowns).
John Nasky went home with eight catches, 167 yards, and four touchdowns, while RJ Faessler recorded 12 tackles to go with a receiving touchdown.
“The defense played excellent,” said coach Brian Vaughan Sr. “Our biggest strength, we have a lot of speed, then we have a lot of seniors, which helps. The experienced seniors guide the young guys.”
Classical travels to face Medford (2-1) Thursday at 6 p.m.
“Medford is going to be a challenge. They’re playing really well,” Vaughan said.
Fenwick 48
Wilmington 15
Fenwick bested Wilmington 48-15 to up its record to 3-0 before Friday’s home matchup against St. Mary’s (7 p.m.).
Anthony Nichols took Fenwick’s first snap 70 yards for a touchdown. After Wilmington tied the game 7-7, Nichols entered the endzone again before Brayden Clifford tossed a touchdown to Kurtis Burch.
Just like that, it was 28-7 at the break.
Clifford hit Luke Connolly for a touchdown to begin the second half, and Lincoln Dugan’s interception return capped off the scoring in the fourth quarter.
Feehan 30
St. Mary’s 0
Despite St. Mary’s (2-1) holding Bishop Feehan to three field goals in the redzone and playing well defensively in the first half, the Shamrocks ran away with a 30-0 victory on their home turf in Attleboro.
“We had a tough time on offense tonight and couldn’t establish any rhythm. They’re a pretty good team.” said St. Mary’s coach Sean Driscoll. “The sun will still come up tomorrow.”
He added the offense “held its own,” but admitted “our youth showed a little bit tonight.”
St. Mary’s visits rival Fenwick at 7 p.m. Friday.
North Andover 22
Marblehead 7
Marblehead (0-3) is still searching for its first win after a hard-fought home battle against North Andover.
Defense dominated Piper Field in the first quarter with every possession ending with a punt.
North Andover looked poised to find the end zone first with a first-and-goal at the Magicians’ 8-yard line. However, a high snap over the head of quarterback Drew Fitzgerald resulted in a 19-yard loss. The Knights settled for a field goal and took a 3-0 lead.
The Magicians answered with a 68-yard touchdown drive, mainly because of the right arm of quarterback Colt Wales. Wales completed a clutch pass on fourth-and-7 to Rylan Golden to keep the drive alive. The very next play, he found Ryan Commoss in the left corner of the end zone for the game’s first touchdown (7-3).
The Magicians took that lead into the locker room, but the second half was dominated by the Knights.
Running back tandem Zach Wolinski and Michael McNaught combined for more than 100 scrimmage yards in the second half to propel their team to victory, including a 52-yard screen pass to Wolinski on fourth down to set up the visitors’ second touchdown.
Meanwhile, Marblehead’s offense was shutout the final 24 minutes. The Magicians travel to take on Peabody at 7 p.m. Friday.
Peabody 28
Beverly 0
Another game, another shutout for the Tanners of Peabody, who moved to 3-0 with a win against Beverly.
Peabody forced four turnovers, while Eli Batista went home with 121 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Alex Silva eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground to go with a touchdown.
Peabody welcomes Marblehead to Coley Lee Field Friday (7 p.m.).
BOYS SOCCER
KIPP 4
Minuteman 1
The Panthers clawed their way to a 4-1-1 record after defeating Minuteman 4-1 at Manning Field. KIPP goals were scored by Jossue Giron, Yoni Oualle, Eric De León, and Josue De León.
“Things were connecting for sure and we just played as a team,” KIPP coach Josh Canales said. “They have all the potential in the world to beat every team they face…. That effort, that drive – when they have it – it looks like this.”
GIRLS SOCCER
Classical 6
Chelsea 0
The Rams hit the road Friday and left with a 6-0 win against Chelsea with six different goal-scorers: Gianna Parker, Rachel Dana, McKenna Duncan, Madison Flaherty, Dulce Juarez, and Sienna McLean.
Mea Papazoglou and Kaydee Rouse combined for a Classical shutout between the pipes.
VOLLEYBALL
Saugus 3
Lynn Tech 1
In set scores of 25-17, 20-25, 20-25, and 23-25, Tech’s volleyball team dipped to 3-2 on the season. Ariana Camilo (7 kills, 4 aces), Maria Groscos (9 digs, 4 aces), Ava Bishop (9 digs), Lesnee Izaguirre (5 kills, block, ace), Zahara Belizaire (8 assists), Lia Morales (7 assists, 2 kills), and Katie Tartarini (4 kills, 3 aces, 2 digs) all chipped in for the Tigers.
North Andover 3
Marblehead 0
The Magicians (4-3) will have to wait a little longer for their fifth win. Marblehead fell to North Andover Friday in set scores of 16-25, 16-25, and 24-26.
Lila Moniz registered six kills, Deysha Amadis added another five, Megan Parkman led the team with 10 digs, and Eva Burke dished out 20 assists.
Marblehead has a week off as it travels to face Notre Dame (Hingham) on Friday.
