PHOTOS: Medfield Turnovers Prove Costly in 21-13 loss to Millis-Hopedale

MILLIS – Medfield had plenty of chances to knock off the TVL Small Division Champion Millis-Hopedale Mohawks but turnovers and miscues proved too costly in a 21-13 defeat.

Medfield (2-8, 0-4) committed three turnovers, two fumbles and one interception and missed a key extra point in the third quarter that would have tied the game at 14 apiece. Millis-Hopedale converted one of those three turnovers into points and made enough plays on offense to hold off a determined Warriors' squad.

Millis-Hopedale (9-1, 4-0) scored on a 15-yard run by Jim Perkins after the Mohawks recovered a Medfield fumble. The extra point gave Millis a 7-0 lead with 4:06 remaining in the first quarter.

Medfield responded with a touchdown drive of its own. Warriors' quarterback Alex Opiela connected with T.J. Valente for a 21-yard touchdown strike. The extra point was good and the score was tied at seven with 56 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Millis-Hopedale regained the lead midway through the second quarter when quarterback Bay Tangney connected with Ian Strom on a 55-yard touchdown pass. The extra point gave the Mohawks a 14-7 advantage and that score would hold going into halftime.

Medfield scored on its first possession of the second half after a strong defensive stand – swinging momentum in its favor. Running back Sam Tawa scored on a four-yard touchdown run to cut the Mohawks' lead to one-point but the extra point failed and Medfield trailed Millis-Hopedale, 14-13 with 5:28 remaining in the third quarter.

The Mohawks answered the Warriors' touchdown with one of their own late in the quarter. Perkins scored on a six-yard run with 25 seconds remaining in the third and the extra point gave Millis-Hopedale an eight-point lead, 21-13.

That score would prove to be the final despite Medfield having three possessions in the fourth quarter, including one with 2:20 remaining that ended on an Opiela incomplete pass on fourth down with 1:18 to play.

Millis-Hopedale took a knee to run out the clock and pick up its ninth victory of the season. Medfield falls to 2-8 on the year.

The Warriors will host rival Dover-Sherborn Regional High School on Thanksgiving at 10 a.m. at Calving George Memorial Field. Millis-Hopedale will host rival Medway at 10 a.m. at Millis High School on Thanksgiving.