ATHOL — The offense for the Athol football team had its way with Turners Falls Friday night.
Unfortunately for the Red Raiders, the Thunder’s offense comprised of big halfback Wyatt Keith and quarterback Kyle Dodge played just a little better in a 35-26 win.
A Keith 22-yard touchdown effectively ended the game with 1 minute, 8 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Mason Barrieau exploded for two long touchdown runs and a third from 9 yards for Athol. One came on the first play from scrimmage for the Red Raiders and went for 90 yards.
Barrieau finished with 12 carries for 223 yards. Once Barrieau got to the sideline, he went untouched for scores.
“Both runs were to the outside,” Barrieau said. “The outside is my favorite area. I do track so I love to run. The backs on the other side blocked those guys perfectly. I went outside and they pushed them in.”
The Red Raiders defense once again had trouble defending the pass, as Dodge completed four touchdown passes.
“None of our secondary has done anything,” Barrieau said. “Me included.”
Still, the Red Raiders (0-2) gave the Thunder all they could handle.
“I was happy with the offense and how the defense played in the second half,” Athol coach Bill LaRose said. “You have to tip your hat to Turners Falls, but this is the best any team I have had has looked in Week 2.”
Keith carried the ball 35 times for 205 yards for the Thunder (1-1).
The score was 14-6 at halftime. Dylan Castine had a sack and 11 tackles for Athol, while Derek Erali had a late interception.
Dodge hurt the Red Raiders with the play-action pass, finishing 10-for-15 for 183 yards.
Athol came out of the half with two excellent drives that ended in touchdowns. Keegan Lutz went for a 6-yard touchdown before Barrieau went down the sideline for a 48-yard touchdown.
The two scores gave Athol a 20-14 lead.
Turners Falls answered with Dodge touchdown throws to Jayden Whiting and Andy Craver, giving Turners a 28-20 lead.
Barrieau scored from 9 yards out to make it 28-26, but the missed conversion doomed the Red Raiders.
After several runs with Keith in the first quarter, the Thunder turned to play fakes in the second to start getting in the end zone.
Keith was a workhorse and it all led to the pass in the second quarter.
Dodge found Whiting on the side of the end zone for a 13-yard score in the second before another touchdown strike to Tyler Lavin from 7 yards made it 14-6. Both scores came on play fakes.
Lavin kicked both extra points to give the Thunder a 14-6 lead at halftime.
