ATHOL — With a focus on getting back to basics during the week, the Athol football team did just that in a 50-8 win over Mohawk Trail, Friday night.
The Red Raiders (2-3) ran effectively, threw the ball efficiently and played swarming defense against the undermanned Warriors (1-4).
“That’s a nice win for our team,” Athol coach Bill LaRose said. “In all aspects they were the better team. Our offensive line played well and so did our defense. Mason (Barrieau) had a great game and our quarterback continues to progress.”
The Warriors were able run effectively but just couldn’t sustain enough drives to stay with the Red Raiders.
On Mohawk’s last drive of the game, the Warriors found the end zone when Shawn Davenport hit Jordan Grenier for a 14-yard touchdown.
“We never quit,” Mohawk coach Doug McCloud said. “We went down and scored a touchdown. I don’t care if it was against the second string. We were outmatched. We knew if we didn’t do things right we would be in trouble. We made mistakes and couldn’t regroup.”
An ambulance came during the fourth quarter for the injured Jetsua Castilla of Athol. The nature of the injury is unknown.
“I don’t want to speculate,” LaRose said.
Evan Shippee rushed for 46 yards on 12 carries for Mohawk.
Mason Barrieau rushed for 148 yards on six carries with touchdowns of 51 and 57 yards.
Caleb Cox (6-for-8, 73 yards passing) probably played his best game at quarterback with a couple touchdown throws.
“I just threw the ball like I needed to,” Cox said. “I felt comfortable. I’ve been learning the offense. I am just doing what I can to learn every week.”
Mohawk turned the ball over on downs twice and it gave the Red Raiders short fields to work with. They took full advantage in the first quarter.
Dylan Castine scored on a 20-yard rush before Barrieau’s 51-yard scamper for a touchdown.
Cox connected with Castine for a 30-yard touchdown to make it 22-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Derek Erali ended Mohawk’s first drive of the second quarter with a sack and a forced fumble for the Raiders.
The speedy Erali caught Mohawk quarterback Davenport from behind.
Cox threw his second touchdown in the second quarter, a 10-yard pass to Joe Gray. Gray added a sack for the Red Raiders’ defense.
Barrieau scored again on a 57-yard rush later in the quarter. Riley Paine kicked the extra point for the Red Raiders to make it 37-0 at halftime.
Paine also had a sack for Athol’s defense.
Will Kitzmiller broke through in the third quarter with a 45-yard touchdown for the Red Raiders.
A almost exclusive Erali drive ended with the running back scoring from 8 yards out.
At the end of the third quarter it was 50-0.
