By Michael James LeClair
On Friday evening, the Nashoba Regional football team continued its hot start to the 2015 season.
The Chieftains hit the road, traveling down Route 290 to Shrewsbury where the Colonials of Shrewsbury High School were waiting. Nashoba proceeded to take down their Mid-Wach A rival with a 20-7 victory.
Nashoba improves to 2-0 overall on the young season. The victory was the first league win for the Chieftains in 2015. Nashoba defeated Mid-Wach B opponent Algonquin Regional by a 12-7 final score in week one action on Friday, September 1.
As for Friday’s tilt with the Colonials, the Chieftains showed no mercy as they opened up an early lead and never looked back.
Nashoba scored single touchdowns in the first, second and third quarters to grab a 20-0 lead before Shrewsbury broke up the shutout with a fourth quarter touchdown, the only points of the final stanza.
The Nashoba offense was led by quarterback Robert Atwood (7-for-9, 118 yards passing), who rushed for a pair of one-yard touchdowns, one in each of the first two quarters. Atwood then connected with Tony Kennon for a 17-yard touchdown toss in the third quarter. The two point conversion pass failed to keep it a 20-0 Nashoba lead.
“Robby was great. He was efficient for us, and I was really happy with the blocking up front; they were powerful all night,” Nashoba head coach Jamie Tucker told reporters after the game. “Our defensive line played two great games in a row, so I’m really proud of those guys.”
Shrewsbury’s A.J. Laramee ended any hopes of a Nashoba blanking when he found paydirt with a 50-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Matt Mulcahy added the extra point for the Colonials.
Nashoba didn’t wait around to strike for its first points of the evening. On the Chieftains opening drive they found the end zone. Atwood capped a 60-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge. Jonny Gjeltema added the extra point to make it 7-0.
The visitors doubled their lead late in the second quarter with another touchdown; this time Atwood capped an 11-play drive with a one-yard keeper that crossed the goal line. Gjeltema added the kick to make it 14-0.
The Chieftains return to action next Friday night, September 25 when they head back onto the road for their second away game of the season. On Friday night, Nashoba will head to Holden where the Mountaineers of Wachusett Regional, another league opponent, will be waiting. The Mountaineers enter Friday night’s battle with a 2-0 record, defeating Holy Name in week one before knocking off Fitchburg last Friday night.