Warriors Fall to Nauset Regional for Second Consecutive Loss

Turnovers and crucial plays proved to be too much for the Wayland High football team to handle.

Quarterback Matt Goddard completed 11 of 24 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns, but also fired three interceptions as the Warriors suffered a 35-21 defeat in Friday night’s home opening non-league match at Wayland High School.

With the loss, the Warriors fell to 0-2 overall and will travel to South Boston to face Monument High School for a 6 p.m. kick-off next Friday.

Despite the defeat, veteran coach Scott Parseghian was more than pleased with his team’s efforts.

“We’re a young team, and we’re improving every week,’’ said Parseghian. “The guys are out there working hard, and they’re giving it their all out there. Even when they were down towards the end, they never gave up. We’re a work in progress and we will get to where we want to be.”

Also earning strong performances for the Warriors were Tyler Mordas, who hauled in seven completions for 91 yards, while Roby Williams and Mike McLean also recorded a touchdown apiece.

Defensively, Kevin Kelley led all linemen with 12 total tackles while Matt Devlin returned an interception 30 yards for a score in the game’s final seconds.

“[Mordas] had a great game,’’ said Parseghian. “We’ve been trying a few different guys at quarterback, but I think we’ve found our guy. [Goddard] just came out to the team this year, and he has a tremendous amount of raw talent. He’s got a great arm, and he’s got some things that he needs to work on, but they can be easily fixed.”

In the game’s opening drive, the Warriors drove into Nauset territory, courtesy of a pass interference penalty. But starting quarterback Will Gunshenan fired an interception to Colby Frodel in double coverage.

Only four plays later, Nauset capitalized as quarterback Nathan Holmes scrambled for a 26-yard touchdown run with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter. On a fourth and eight from the Warrior 26, Holmes executed a quarterback draw, escaped several tacklers and cruised into the end zone for the 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing drive, Goddard, who replaced Gunshenan, led a seven-play, 45-yard scoring drive, tying the contest at 7-7. After a pass interference penalty on a fourth and eight from the Nauset 21 handed the Warriors new life, Goddard capitalized. On a fourth and 15 from the 16, Goddard rolled to his right and fired a pass deep into the end zone. Off a batted deflection, the ball fell into Williams’ hands in the end zone for the touchdown with 9:52 remaining in the second quarter.

Any momentum for the Warriors was quickly disintegrated as Nauset regained momentum just 1:49 later.

On a second and 10 from their own 37, Connor Martin blasted through a wide open scene in the middle and scurried down the middle of the field untouched for a 63-yard touchdown run, giving Nauset the lead back at 14-7 with 8:03 remaining.

“Big plays and turnovers were critical,’’ said Parseghian. “We turned the ball over a few times, and they were able to capitalize on their opportunities. We committed too many penalties and we gave up too many big plays.”

On a five-play, 40-yard drive, Nauset extended the lead to 21-7 with 3:58 remaining. Following a 15-yard run by Zach Morgan, Holmes scampered for a 15-yard gain. On a first and 10 from the Warrior 14, Holmes scurried for 13 yards before his two-yard plunge into the end zone.

After Goddard fired an interception with 1:26 remaining in the first half, Nauset immediately capitalized. On a first and 10 from their own 38, Holmes fired a 58-yard strike down the right sideline to Lichota Seidewand just moments later, extending the lead to 28-7.

Midway through the third quarter, Nauset secured the victory as Derrick Holmes culminated a quick four-play, 34-yard scoring drive. Following a 10-yard scamper by Derrick Holmes, Nauset drove to the Warrior 10 before Holmes’ executed an off-tackle five-yard touchdown run with 4:56 remaining en route to a commanding 35-7 edge.

With the game well in hand, the Warriors refused to quit, scoring two touchdowns within the final 1:01 of the contest.

As Goddard led a 10-play, 49-yard drive, the Warriors were faced with a fourth and one from the Nauset 20 before converting on a short run by Robert Williams. Moments later, Goddard spotted a wide open McLean at the back of the end zone for the score, cutting the lead to 35-14.

Seconds later, the Warriors struck again as Matt Devlin intercepted a Holmes pass at the Warrior 30, blitzed down the left side and scrambled into the end zone with 43.8 remaining to cap the scoring.