Red Raiders Scrap It Out With Blue Knights for Win

When it comes to passing the football, there just aren't many better teams in the state than Barnstable High School's Red Raiders.

Senior quarterback Nick Peabody landed himself in the Red Raider record books once again last night, throwing 29-42 for 402 yards, five touchdowns and just his first interception of the season to lead BHS to a 35-14 victory. Peabody's 29 completions was the second most ever in a single game by a Red Raider quarterback. His 398 yards passing marks the second highest yardage total in school history and he has 966 yards passing in just three games, averaging just shy of 321 yards per game.

Senior wide receiver Dylan Morris caught just four passes -- three of those for touchdowns and a total of 77 yards, while senior Tedaro France caught two TDs, had 11 receptions and 152 yards receiving. Senior James Burke hauled in 10 catches for 129 yards making it one of the most productive passing nights in 120 autumns of Red Raider football. Junior Hayden Murphy hauled in three Peabody offerings for a total of 41 yards and classmate Mike Bilodeau hauled in his first varsity reception for a three-yard gain.

But this victory was no walk in the park.

Sandwich southpaw quarterback Zach Wagner was almost as impressive as his opposing counterpart and was exceptional when running the ball - he passed for one touchdown and a 2-point PAT and scored from one-yard out on another to bring the score to 28-14 at the start of the 4th quarter, but it was not enough to stave off a determined Red Raider offense.

Still, turnovers, solid defense and a litany of penalties by both teams, combined to make for so many stops and starts in this rough and tumble affair that it was difficult for either team to fully execute its strategy or garner decisive momentum.

Barnstable was called for 14 penalties including an unheard of six personal fouls, while Sandwich was called for four penalties and one personal foul.

Barnstable had three interceptions, one each by France, Derek Estes and Terrence Mudie and a fumble recovery by Ryan Litchman with Sandwich in the Red Zone, while the hosts had one interception and two fumble recoveries. The entire BHS defense played exceptionally well, once again led by linebackers Andrew Ellis, Bryan Hardy, Mudie, Jon Eldredge, Litchman and France, to name a few.

Barnstable has its work cut out this week as it prepares to hit the road for Everett next Friday night at 7:00 pm.