Photos by Adam Richins
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gang-tackled him on the two-yard line. We took over on downs, and now we needed to drive the ball out from our end zone. We desperately needed to make a first down and run the clock out –– and we failed. Then we had to punt the ball from our end zone, giving Middlesex a second chance to beat us. Once again, Middlesex put a small drive together, getting the ball down to the seven-yard line. It was fourth and goal to go, with twenty seconds left in the game. This time they threw the ball in the end zone. But our cornerback, Noah Aaron ’18, picked it off and was clever enough to take a knee in the end zone. The ball came out to our twenty-yard line, and all we needed to do was take a knee to secure our first win of the season, 21–17.
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Groton School Quarterly
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Winter 2017
The next bright spot of the season was a nine-minute, ninety-five-yard drive versus Thayer to win the game. During this drive, we overcame a five-yard penalty and also received a little help from Thayer with their own penalty keeping the drive alive. We ran fifteen plays with a good mix of running and throwing when we needed to. The drive was very methodical –– just like the old saying, “five yards and a cloud of dust”–– and eventually we pushed the ball into the end zone. The season did not turn out the way we had hoped, but — looking on the bright side — we have eight returning starters on both sides of the ball. We will all be much more experienced, which makes me very optimistic about our chances for next season.
I would like to thank Athletic Director Robert Low for giving me the opportunity to coach football at Groton School. I was very impressed not only with the quality of the football, but also with all of the school’s unique traditions and how long the team has been playing some of their opponents. I was also very impressed with the Independent School League and how gracious all the hosting schools were. This was very different for me after coaching in the public school leagues for thirtysix years. I also would like to thank my assistant coaches for doing such a wonderful job all season long: Harold Francis, John Margarita, Breandain Keating, Adam Lamont, Bryan McKay, and Daniel Moriarty. –– Coach Jamie Lamoreaux