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MILLBURY, Mass. — Northbridge High’s Matt Phelan threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Rams put a big dent in Millbury High’s playoff hopes with a dominating 48-0 win in Northbridge.
Northbridge’s plan was to spread out the Woolies defense, and Phelan initially carried the ball on quarterback draws right up the middle. But once Millbury adjusted, Phelan kept them off-balance by ripping throws to the outside. Millbury had no answer, and Northbridge scored on every possession.
Millbury planned to grind out the clock by running the ball and keeping the powerful Northbridge offense on the bench. The first drive ate up nearly six minutes on a 12-play drive and moved into Northbridge territory. But on fourth-and-8, Nick Blaisdell’s pass was picked off at the Northbridge 30-yard line.
The Rams wasted little time in moving the down the field before Phelan hit Jake Ryan with a 5-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0. Millbury had another long drive of 14 plays. But on fourth-and-5 from the Northbridge 26, the Woolies tried an option pass. The connection was fumbled, and the Rams took over at their own 39-yard line.
The Woolies missed running back Ross Sudar, who was injured. Without the dual threat, Northbridge bottled up Randy Mogren, who rushed for 71 yards and one reception for 36 yards.
Phelan drove them down quickly and powered in from the one and it was 14-0. Northbridge then kicked an onside kick, and the Rams came up with the ball.
On the first play, Phelan lofted a beautiful pass to Ben O’Donnell for a 44-yard touchdown strike, and the rout was on.
Northbridge added another touchdown before the half on another Phelan strike from 5 yards out to tight end Robby Sabourin, making it 28-0 at halftime.
Things didn’t get any easier in the second half for Millbury. Northbridge took the kickoff and went methodically down the field before Ryan ran the ball in from 3 yards out to make it 35-0.
Cam Velasquez added two touchdown runs from 11 and 21 yards out to finish the scoring at 48-0.
Northbridge (8-2) is in great shape as the No. 1 seed for the playoffs. Millbury falls to 5-5 and its hopes for a berth took a blow.
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