NEWBURY — You could look at the final score of Friday afternoon’s season opener for the Governor’s Academy football team and come to a logical conclusion.
“Well, yeah, that was kind of expected.”
After all, powerhouse Tabor Academy is one of the best teams in all of New England, so coming into the Sager Bowl and handing the hosts a 40-7 loss was certainly high on the list of potential outcomes. Throw in the fact that the defending NEPSAC Class B champion Seawolves (1-1) were coming in angry following a shocking loss to Williston Northampton a week ago, and it was a brutal spot for The Govs to welcome in the new year.
But that final score doesn’t tell the whole story.
Because in actuality, underdog Governor’s (0-1) was very much in this game for the entire first half. Lucas Acuna, Trent DiGiovanni, Kolby Buddenhagen and the defense forced an early stop, and The Govs had first-half drives stall out just outside of the redzone, and then again at the 8-yard-line. Had the first drive converted it would have given them the lead, while if the second found the endzone it would have been a one-score game with 90 seconds left until halftime.
So this was anything but a laugher early.
“I challenged them for the entire 12 rounds,” said Governor’s coach Luke Boria. “It’s a fight. We have 35-36 kids, and I just said that we’re going to need everybody, both attitude and effort. That’s been our MO this whole time. We’re driven by a big group of seniors, and so they’re hungry and worked really hard this offseason. And our best can complete. So I thought they played phenomenal today.”
But at the end of the day, skill won out.
Tabor Academy is loaded with Division I collegiate talent on both sides of the ball, starting at quarterback with Virginia Tech commit Peter Bourque. The four-star senior prospect completed 14-of-18 passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns, and had all of the time in the world behind a massive offensive line. He connected with Xander Odenyo for an 11-yard score, then with Anthony DiGiantommaso on a 9-yard TD to made it 13-0 midway through the second.
Junior quarterback Tyler Kasztenja sparked the first positive drive for The Govs with a 52-yard connection to Gus Psaradelis, then broke away for a 36-yard rush on the second.
But that’s when disastor struck.
Just 8 yards away from the endzone, star Tabor linebacker Liam Conlon scoop-and-scored a strip-sack fumble 90 yards to the house the other way. That was with 90 seconds left, and on the third play of the ensuing drive, elite cornerback Grayden Reid — a four-star junior prospect with offers to Notre Dame, Miami and LSU, among others — came up with a 30-yard pick-6.
All of a sudden, it was 27-0 heading into the break.
And after Tabor converted its opening two drives of the third quarter with TDs, it was a running clock.
“The physicality of the game, going against Division I calibur talent all over the field, it’s iron-sharpens-iron,” said Boria. “Just going against the best in New England and seeing how you match up, and I thought we matched up really well in that first half.”
And there’s plenty to build on for The Govs moving forward.
Kasztenja look good as a dual-threat QB, workhorse back Porter LaLime ran hard as he always does, and Nate Jackson returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown for the team’s lone score of the day. Then repeat-sophomore Chase Dowling of Groveland — a 6-foot-6 tight end and linebacker who transferred in from Pentucket — played basically every snap on both sides of the ball.
“Chase has been fantastic,” said Boria. “Actually, this week he was our ‘Unselfish Player of the Week’ just because of his ability to block out on the edge. We knew that this game was going to be hard for our tight ends. But he was running great on defense today, and on offense he’s going to be challenged more. He was great blocking today, and we’re going to get him the rock more.”
Tabor Academy 40, Governor’s Academy 7
Tabor Academy (1-1): 6 21 13 0 — 40
Governor’s Academy (0-1): 0 0 0 7 — 7
First Quarter
TA — Xander Odenyo 11 pass from Peter Bourque (kick failed)
Second Quarter
TA — Anthony DiGiantommaso 9 pass from Bourque (kick good)
TA — Liam Conlon 90 fumble return (kick good)
TA — Grayden Reid 30 interception return (kick good)
Third Quarter
TA — DiGiantommaso 4 run (kick good)
TA — Kaiden Drinkwater 9 pass from Bourque (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
GA — Nate Jackson 25 interception return (kick good)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Governor’s Academy (22-64): Porter LaLime 13-31, Tyler Kasztenja 4-29, Nathan Kreft 3-2, Jayden Wilbon 1-2, Aiden Bly 1-0
PASSING: GA — Kasztenja 6-12-0-1, 65
RECEIVING: GA — Gus Psaradelis 1-52, Bly 5-13