by Brian Keaney

The Marauders took an early lead in their one Friday night battle of the season tonight, and did a good job holding on to it for three full quarters.  They began to fall apart in the fourth, however, and a late effort wasn’t enough as they lost to the Wamps of Braintree, 20-13.

In the first play of the game the Wamps fumbled the ball with just a short distance to the goal, and the Marauders recovered with excellent field position.  Junior quarterback Dan O’Connor wasted no time connecting with senior wide receiver Nick Walch, giving the good guys a 6-0 lead only 28 seconds into the game.

The point after attempt was no good, but eight minutes later senior Dave Sheehan was when he ran the ball in from three yards out for another Marauder touchdown.  With five minutes remaining the first quarter Braintree’s Joe Donovan ran the ball in to put them on the board.

Thus the score remained at 13-7 across both the second and the third.  Early in the fourth the Wamps put it in the end zone again after a one yard run capped an 80 yard drive.  The kick was blocked, and the game was tied.

With only four and a half minutes remaining to play, Braintree brought the ball down the field 21 yards in the span of a minute.  With 3:31 left on the clock a Wamp broke free and took off down the field.  Forty-four yards later they had the lead for the first time in the game.

After an ugly bounce on the kickoff, sophomore Shane Lowe got the ball to the Marauder’s 30.  O’Connor connected with Walch who made it to the 50, but a holding call on the home team brought them back to the 24.

O’Connor threw it up again and was nearly intercepted, but Walch was standing directly under the tipped ball when it came down.  He was brought down on his 45, which was good enough for a Marauder first down.

Junior Brian Coakley caught a five yard pass on third down, but it was a Braintree penalty that gave Dedham a big first down.  O’Connor throws to senior Bernie Gerard and Walch gave them another set of four downs.  That was quickly followed by another lob to Sheehan, which was good for another first with 46 seconds left on the clock.

On second and 10 at the 13 yard line O’Connor once again put it up, but a diving attempt by Sheehan in the end zone was no good.  On third and 10 O’Connor was sacked, and the joy seemed to slip out of Mudville along with the momentum.

As the refs discussed a finer point of the game amongst themselves, two shirtless students with body paint took advantage of the delay by running down the bleachers with a cowbell toting girl, eager to be near their team.  Crowds of their fellow students quickly joined them, and down on the track the cheerleaders were cheer followers.  All the students reached the concession end of the Stone Park before the final Marauder snap.

With 34 seconds remaining O’Connor took possession of the ball on fourth down.  He avoided several rushing Wamps, and broke out of the pocket on the far side.  He put the ball in the air towards two receivers in the end zone, but heavy coverage tipped the ball away and Braintree took over on downs.

Two knees later by the Braintree QB and the game was over.  The deflated Marauders walked off the field without a win that was achingly close, but they put forth their best effort of the season.  They will get another opportunity next weekend when they host undefeated Natick at 10 a.m. on Saturday.