BILLERICA — It’s been a while since the Beverly High football team has had as much success as they have this season.
Back in the playoffs for the first time in four years Friday night and searching for their first postseason triumph in seven years, the Panthers gave host Billerica all it could handle for three quarters as the two squads battled to a scoreless draw. But the hosts came alive over the final 12 minutes to knock off the Orange-and-Black, 20-0, in a Division 2 first round playoff game.
“That’s a great team over there,” said Beverly (5-4) head coach Jeff Hutton of the Indians. “They made two huge plays on special teams and recovered a fumble. You are not going to win football games like that.”
Both defenses played extremely well for the first three quarters, with each side forcing punts and turnovers on downs. But when Billerica started clicking offensively in the final frame, the Beverly defense stopped having answers.
First, broke the scoreless duel for the Indians with a 3-yard touchdown run with eight minutes remaining. On the ensuing kickoff Billerica caught Beverly by surprise and recovered an onside kick, which changed the momentum completely in favor of the home team. Soon thereafter, Tim Murphy doubled his team’s lead with a 1-yard scoring run.
“In that eight-minute span the game completely flipped,” Hutton said. “Unfortunately that’s been our Achilles heel all year.”
The Panthers relied on tailback Sean Okhuozagbon heavily in the first half, but could not get him and the rest of the running game as involved in the second half while trying to play from behind. The visitors finished with just 50 yards rushing.
Despite the loss, captain and quarterback Danny Pierce and fellow senior Floyd White (4 receptions, 50 yards) made some big plays to keep some key drives alive late for Beverly, but it ultimately wasn’t enough.
Dan Venenzia would put the finishing touches on a playoff win for Billerica with a 6-yard touchdown as time wound down.
While this loss will undoubtedly sting, but there’s no doubt Beverly has built a strong program from where they were just a couple years ago.
“We went from 1-10 three years ago to being in the playoffs,” Hutton said. “It’s from these guys and it shows that it matters.”
“They are emotional, upset, and that’s good,” he added. “I think our program is heading in the right direction.”
Billerica 20, Beverly 0
Division 2 first round
at Billerica High School
Beverly (5-4);0;0;0;0;0
Billerica (6-3);0;0;0;20;20
Scoring summary
Bil — Jackson Gearin 3 run (Dan Venenzia Kick)
Bil — Tim Murphy 1 run (Venezia kick)
Bil — Venenzia 6 run (kick failed)
Individual Statistics
RUSHING: Beverly — Sean Okhuozagbon 8-21, Sean Costa 6-18, Danny Pierce 3-6, Charlie Frost 1-5; Billerica — Erik Knight 17-106, Jackson Gearin 14-55, Jacob Peck 7-41, Dan Venenzia 6-38, Tim Murphy 5-35.
PASSING: Beverly — Pierce 7-16-84-0-0; Billerica — Murphy 0-2-0-0-0.
RECEIVING: Beverly — Floyd White 4-50, Jordan Downey 1-19, Cal McCay 2-15; Billerica — None.