Grafton Runs All Over Uxbridge

The Indians had their first away game of the season on Saturday, visiting the Uxbridge Spartans.

Grafton's rushing offense was just too much for the home team to handle. Their explosive running game, helped by strong offensive line play, would make this game less than competitive by halftime. Coach Mike Ross said that "our lines played excellently."

Senior Obi Melifonwu made his contributions felt early and often, striking the endzone five times in his first appearance of the season. Melifonwu was able to compile over 200 yards rushing, and a 33-yard reception on offense, with a fumble recovery and some tackles while starting at defensive back. Melifonwu really displayed his versatility when he recovered and made a circus catch after bobbling a well thrown pass by junior quarterback Doug Oevermann.

Grafton started the game with a defensive stop near midfield, concluding the series with a strong tackle by the consistent Corey Charpentier.

The Indians opening possession was a sign of things to come in the next 60 minutes. After a false start, Melifonwu took the first carry of the game for 5 yards. On the next play, runningback Corey Munoz showed his speed as he flashed towards the sidelines on a run of about 20 yards. Melifonwu then sliced through the heart of the defense, dashing towards the corner of the endzone for a 25 yard touchdown.

The Spartans next drive made the game appear to be more competitive than it would turn out to be. Uxbridge began from their own 36-yard line and used a balanced combination of option runs and rollout passes to reach paydirt on their eight play, to cut the Grafton lead to one with 3:28 left in the first quarter. This is the closest it would get, however.

Grafton's next three possessions would all end in similar fashion with Obi Melifownu touchdowns. The offensive line created great opporunities time and time again in what appeared to be unstoppable plays.

While the offense was moving the ball and finishing their drives with touchdowns, the defense turned it on as well. After three straight possessions ended in "turnovers on downs," linebacker Dylan Guyer made a nice interception to end the half. Grafton's defense was able to make the extremely common rollout and option plays ineffective with their strong tackling and ability to get pressure from their defensive line.  

Grafton was able to take a 30-7 lead by halftime behind their turnover free offense and disciplined defense.

Grafton began the second half knowing that they could win if they continued to run the ball and the clock. After a Grafton punt, a Dylan Guyer hit on the ballcarrier caused a fumble, which was eventually recovered by Melifonwu.

Grafton would capitalize on their forced turnover, scoring on a 36 yard rush by Obi, to make it a 37-7 game after the successful point after by kicker Matt Taylor. Ross stated that it took "a week or two to get [the kicking game] going," but that he likes the option of the true "extra" point.

Uxbridge would score one more time to make the score 37-13 heading into the fourth quarter. Grafton would then begin using their junior varsity squad. Every Grafton player who suited up got in the game, according to Ross. "They played well too, gotta love that,'' he said.

Grafton would score one more time on a 5-yard carry by senior Reeve Carvalho, which made it 44-13.

As expected, Ross seemed genuinely happy with his team's performance, saying that it was a much better job than last week's heartbreaker against Nipmuc.

Grafton will be playing against the extremely difficult Shepherd Hill next week. Ross believes that both teams play a similar style so it will come down to who can be the better "mirror image" while also referring to Shepherd Hill as one of the best teams in Central Massachusetts.