'We did not back down': Martin jumpstarts ORR past Somerset Berkley in key league game
MATTAPOISETT — The Somerset Berkley football team was looking to clinch the South Coast Conference Blue Division outright on Friday night.
Old Rochester's Gavin Martin had something to say about that.
With the Bulldogs clinging to a six-point lead early in the fourth quarter, Martin took matters into his own hands. The junior quarterback called his number deep inside his team's territory and raced 87 yards for the touchdown to increase ORR's lead to 12 with nine minutes to play.
"It was great blocking and we needed a play," Martin said after the Bulldogs defeated the Raiders 32-20. "I want to thank my offensive line, especially Tyler Williams, who gave me a great block. I'm so proud of the guys. They didn't back down. It was an awesome win."
With the win, the Bulldogs (4-3, 3-0 in SCC) control their own destiny. A win on Thanksgiving against Apponequet seals the deal.
"I think our demise was really overexaggerated," ORR head coach Bryce Guilbeault said. "We had a really bad week last week. Bad week for players, bad week for coaching and we all knew it. We had a come-to-Jesus talk on Monday and had a great week of practice. We finally showed what type of team we can be tonight.
"That's a really good Somerset team. I have tremendous respect for Nick (Freitas0, his staff and those players. They're tough physical kids. I knew it was going to be dogfight. It was a championship game for them and if we wanted to be a part of the puzzle, we had to win tonight."
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The Raiders (5-2, 3-1 in SCC) had several chances through the game to put points on the board but came away empty-handed.
"Mistakes are a big part of this game and we made more than they did," said Freitas, whose team had its five-game winning streak snapped. "We shot ourselves in the foot here and there. It's high school football, it is what it is. Sometimes the ball bounces your way but we did not get it tonight."
Both teams put on an offensive clinic in the first six and a half minutes of play, combining for 26 points.
SBR quarterback Derek Baliko got the scoring started with a 65-yard run to give the Raiders a 6-0 lead on the first play from scrimmage. The extra point attempt failed.
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Martin, who finished with a game-high 199 yards rushing, tied the contest with a 1-yard score that was set up by Bulldogs special teams player Noah Bongiorno. SBR answered right back as Baliko connected with running back Ethan Santos for a 19-yard touchdown pass. Santos converted the two-point try to give the Raiders a 14-6 lead.
Another big kickoff return by Bongiorno (86 yards) helped set up a 19-yard touchdown run by Devin St. Germaine — one of two on the night — that cut SBR's lead to 14-12.
SBR had a golden opportunity to push its lead to 10 in the second quarter, but was stopped short on fourth down at the 1. Martin then drove his team the length of the field before hitting Noah Pittsley on a 22-yard slant play which gave the Bulldogs their first lead at 19-14 after a Remy Wilson extra point.
The Raiders scored right before the half — a 2-yard run by Santos that gave the visitors a 20-19.
On the night, SBR had four sacks but turned the ball over twice in the second half inside ORR territory. Bailko finished with 105 yards rushing on six carries.
Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette sports editor Steven Sanchez can be reached at ssanchez@heraldnews.com. You can follow him on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @Chezsports.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Old Rochester wins the battle of all three phases
