MANSFIELD, Mass – “The momentum had to change,” Foxboro head coach Jack Martinelli said about the start of the second half.
It sure did.
Foxboro scored four second half touchdowns and survived a wild fourth quarter to down the Hornets 27-21 on Thanksgiving for the first time since 2006.
The Warriors looked like two different teams, failing to score in the first half while looking nearly unstoppable in the second half.
Mansfield took an early lead, scoring on their first drive when quarterback Kyle Wisnieski found junior Michael Hershman on a 33-yard strike. After a quick three and out, Mansfield doubled their lead, using 14 plays to go 63 yards, capped off by a 10-yard pass from Wisnieski to sophomore Brendan Hill. The Hornets led 14-0 at half.
“You’re only remembered how good you are with your last win,” Martinelli said. “That was a decision they had to make if they wanted to be a team that beat North Attleboro and Mansfield or a just a 7-4 football team. The senior leadership has been terrific all year.”
It was the Foxboro senior class that paved the way for the second half comeback. Senior quarterback Mike Slaby found classmate Jalen Reed for a 19-yard score in the Warrior’s first drive of the second half – giving Foxboro an incredible momentum boost.
Senior Kiivone Howard scored on three of the next four Foxboro possessions on runs of 71 yards, 9 yards, and 65 yards.
His last touchdown of the game – and 24th rushing score of the season – ended up as the game winner.
“I know that I have the ability to make a cut and from there it’s off to the races,” Howard said. “My offensive line did a good job in the second half.”
Mansfield was able to tie the game at 21 behind a strong rushing drive from Kevin Makie. Make ran the ball 8 times, punching it in from two yards out.
The ensuing kick return from Foxboro’s Drew McGeary looked like it could go all the way with just Mansfield’s kicker – Hershman – to beat. Hershman didn’t just make the stop, he was able to strip the ball and Mansfield recovered, tipping the momentum scale back in the Hornet’s favor.
But it didn’t stay long, as Mansfield couldn’t muster anything up and were forced to punt. On Foxboro’s second play, Howard went up the middle 65 yards for the score. The extra point was no good.
It looked as though Mansfield was going to respond quickly as Wisnieski found Hill for 20 yards and looked as if he had another big gain to Hershman but Foxboro senior Alex Pacitti landed a huge hit that popped the ball into the air and was intercepted by Luc Valenza.
Mansfield’s last second toss was intercepted by Reed who kneeled it to end the game.
“It feels great,” Reed said.
Foxboro finishes at 8-3 while Mansfield drops to 7-4. The Hornets will continue their season though, facing Duxbury in the playoffs on Tuesday.
“Anything short of this wouldn’t be a true picture of how they played,” Martinelli said of his seniors. “They needed this for them, their legacy, and their reputation.”
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