PEABODY— The Peabody football team looked to remain undefeated in its final regular season game at Coley Lee Field, and four quarters later against Gloucester, the Tanners (7-0) pleased their home crowd yet again.
In a 28-7 win against the Fisherman Friday night, the hosts were led by star receiver Eli Batista (162 total yards, 3 TD).
Batista’s big night started early in the second quarter as he found broken coverage and walked in for a 37-yard score (7-0). It was a dime from quarterback Luke Maglione (103 yards, TD).
It wasn’t just the offense showing its prominence early on. Peabody’s stifling defense kept Gloucester off the scoreboard in the first half, forcing three punts and earning a massive redzone stop.
A 37-yard punt return put the Fisherman just 14 yards away from the end zone, but four straight stops forced the turnover-on-downs, stopping a potential game-tying score.
The stop turned into a 14-point swing. Maglione drove the offense 90 yards downfield for another Peabody score. Jaden Roman’s 4-yard rushing touchdown doubled up on the lead with 30 seconds remaining in the half (14-0).
The Tanners took a commanding lead into halftime and kept their foot on the gas pedal in the third quarter.
The Fishermen showed they couldn’t handle Batista’s speed, and his electrifying day continued when he took a 63-yard punt return to the house, giving Peabody a 21-0 advantage with 7:31 remaining in the third.
Although Gloucester struck on a 50-yard pass for its first – and only – score, Peabody wasted no time finding another thanks to more special teams brilliance.
After its defense stepped up to force Gloucester’s fifth punt, a squibbed kick was taken to the 3-yard line on a strong return from Nicholas Dresser.
This set up Batista’s hat-trick touchdown. The senior took a wildcat snap 4 yards to paydirt, finishing off the Fishermen for good, 28-7.
Peabody kept its dreams of an undefeated season alive, but a game against the Salem Witches awaits next week.
