LAST YEAR: Sean Grandfield had six receptions for 187 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Connor Walsh added a pair of rushing scores as the Wolverines had little trouble dispatching Millis 22-0 at Flahive Field.
LAST WEEK: The Wolverines overcame a sluggish opening half to top Ashland 14-0. Rob Bambini had six receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown in his first significant action. James Berluti added a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Mohawks suffered their first set back a week ago, falling at home to Holliston, 20-14. Millis got its first touchdown recovering a blocked punt in the end zone and tied the game early in the fourth quarter on a 5-yard run by QB John Duffy.
OUTLOOK: Another week brought a different unit picking up the rest of the team as the defense bent but never broke as the Wolverines blanked the Clockers. The offense was never able to get much going, rushing for only 61 yards on the night. The emergence of Bambini was a nice surprise after the wide receiver missed the first two games with a hip/back injury and was used sparingly against Hopkinton.
Millis, winless a year ago, still lacks the size and depth of the bigger schools in the TVL, but they work around that by utilizing a spread offense and Duffy is the Mohawks primary offensive weapon and likes to get outside the pocket and find the open receiver or room to run. Andrew Bonzey is a favorite target of Duffy, while Nick Hyman is their top running back.
The lines for Millis are small, but quick and the style of offense is designed to take pressure off the line by extending defenses.
COACH’S CORNER: Westwood’s Paul Hallion: “(Coach Dale Olmsted) is full spread right now. He shows a little bit of I-formation every game, especially when he gets near the goal line, but he’s full spread – sometimes empty backfield. He uses his quarterback like a running back, very similar to what Ashland was doing, but I think they might be more athletic than Ashland.
SQUIB KICKS: Berluti’s touchdown pass to Bambini in the third quarter was his first of the season… Both squads are familiar with close games as all three Westwood wins have been decided by 14 points or less, while three of Millis’ contests have been nine points or less, going 2-1 in those games.
