ATHOL – Amid absolutely frigid conditions, the Mahar football team beat Athol 28-0 on Thanksgiving.
The Senators (4-7) adapted better to the cold, as well as the slippery conditions on the field to win on turkey day for the first time since 2013.
It was the fourth straight win for Mahar this season after starting 0-7.
“We were terrible at the beginning,” Mahar coach Jim Woodward said. “We didn’t know how to block, we didn’t know how to tackle. There was no direction. But we stuck to our guns and stayed with fundamentals. We finally found what was going to work for us.”
Running back Lucas Seney won the game’s MVP trophy, with 144 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns. Seney left the game in the third quarter after taking a shot to the head, but was okay after the game.
“I hit my head on the ground really hard,” Seney said. “But I am feeling better.”
Seney’s scored on a 1-yard touchdown on the ground in the second quarter, and on another 32-yard rush in the third.
After the game Woodward held up the Athol-Senators boosters trophy before handing it over to his team who celebrated loudly with the shiny piece of hardware.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Seney said. “It’s the best way to go out.”
Woodward came out of retirement to coach the Senators this season and whether he will return next season is “to be determined”.
Jon Gariepy’s (16 carries, 83 yards) steady running was effective as well for the Senators.
Gariepy gave Mahar a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a 15-yard rushing touchdown. Gariepy added another touchdown in the fourth quarter
From the very first play, it was apparent that the Red Raiders (3-8) outside speed with Mason Barrieau would not be effective given the snowy field. The Senators did a great job protecting the sidelines as well against Barrieau.
“You got to tip your hats to Mahar,” Athol coach Bill LaRose said. “They earned the victory today. Field conditions were not good for Mason (Barrieau) today. He is a sprinter and the footing was not where it should have been.”
Barrieau did not enjoy the amount of losing the Red Raiders had to endure during his senior season.
“This year sucked,” Barrieau said. “28 to zero blowout. Finishing 3-8. They came to play and literally kicked our ass the entire game. That’s all it was.”
An interception by Mahar’s Dominic Negron of Athol quarterback Riley Paine officially ended the game in the fourth quarter.
Paine took the place of starter Caleb Cox for the Red Raiders. In the second half, Cox came off the field after a 12-yard scamper.
Cox would not return to the game and left in a caravan in the fourth quarter.
Negron also had a fumble recovery for the Senators. Evan Johnston contributed a big tackle for a loss that helped end an Athol drive in the second quarter. Noaha Chabot had a couple two-point conversions, one on the ground and another on a throw to Charlie Barnes.
Brian Johnson added a 13 yard catch for the Senators.
Christian Casillas had a sack for the Red Raiders’ defense.
