By Michael James LeClair
SusanShaye.com
Let the good times continue to roll for the Nashoba Regional football team.
The Chieftains traveled to Fitchburg on Friday night looking to continue their winning ways. Nashoba did just that as it dominated the host Red Raiders.
Nashoba controlled the contest from start to finish, finding the end zone five times on the night as it thumped its Mid Wach B foe 32-2 under the lights of Crocker Field.
Nashoba remains unbeaten as it improves to 3-0 overall on the season with an identical 3-0 record in Mid Wach B. Fitchburg drops to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in the league.
“People are always asking what are we going to do, and the answer is: take what’s there,” said Nashoba head coach Jamie Tucker following the win. “We run the ball well, and we made big plays throwing the ball. We were balanced, and that’s big for us.”
In three games this season, Nashoba has outscored its opponents a combined 95-9 with wins over Groton-Dunstable Regional, Westborough and now Fitchburg, respectively.
“Our defense does a good job of preparing for the opponent,” said Tucker. “Coach (Andy) Leblanc works super hard — all our staff works super hard preparing for the opponent. Different guys show up different weeks to make plays.”
Nashoba held Fitchburg to just 62 yards of total offense on the evening as the defense was hard at work again Friday night. The only Red Raider points of the contest came when Fitchburg junior Latrell Boddie intercepted Nashoba quarterback Sam Bolinsky at the goal line on a two-point conversion pass following a Nashoba touchdown. Boddie picked off the attempt and scampered his way 100 yards in the opposite direction, not stopping until he crossed the goal line.
Prior to the start of this one, longtime Fitchburg High School educator and Crocker Field public address announcer Fred Sullivan was honored with a moment silence before the Fitchburg marching band’s rendition of the National Anthem.
Nashoba grabbed control of this one early on as it scored touchdowns on their first two possessions and three of their first four.
The Chieftains got the offensive party started on the game’s opening drive. It took the guests eight-plays to march 72-yards. Brendan Lee capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run to make it 6-0. Alex Child’s point-after kick was blocked by the Fitchburg defensive line.
The Nashoba defense forced Fitchburg into a three and out on their first possession thanks to key tackles by Matt Johnson and Jack Bonazzali. The Chieftains offense came back on the field following the punt with great field position at their own 43. Nine plays later, Nashoba quarterback Sam Bolinsky connected with Troy Barksdale for a 24-yard touchdown pass and a 12-0 Nashoba lead. Childs added the kick to make it 13-0 with 2:38 left in the first quarter.
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Bolinsky had a strong night throwing the pigskin, finishing the game 10-of-19 for 218 yards passing two touchdowns.
Nashoba added to its cushion in the second quarter with another touchdown run by Lee, this time from a yard away to make it 19-0.
It was on the conversion attempt that Boddie made the pick and registered the Red Raiders only points on the night to make it 19-2.
In the second half the Chieftains never looked back as they added two more touchdowns for good measure.
A 65-yard pass and catch from Bolinsky to John Foney, who found paydirt made it 25-2.
The final points on the evening came courtesy of a nine-yard touchdown run by Lee, his third scoring rush of the game, on the last play of the third quarter. Childs point after kick was true to make it 32-2.
Nashoba has another big one this Friday night as it will host Mid Wach B rival Marlborough, a team that Tucker and company know well.
“We’ve played them six times in the last three years,” said Tucker. “It’s a team we’re very familiar with. It’s always a big game and a big challenge when we play against Marlborough and Friday will be no different.”