Bulldogs Hold off Tanners in Wild Showdown [VIDEOS]

An undermanned Peabody squad simply refused to go quietly into the chilly October night Friday at as the Tanners matched NEC/CAL Tier 1 heavyweight Lynn English blow for blow in an instant classic that went right down to the wire.

Unfortunately for the Tanners, the Bulldogs were the ones left standing as they intercepted a Peabody pass in the end zone with 1:17 left to play to hold on for a dramatic, 41-34, win. It was the fourth straight loss for the Tanners, who dropped to 3-4 and 0-3 in the league.

"In all my years of coaching I don't think I could be any prouder of a team," said Peabody coach Scott Wlasuk, who was once again without five, two-way starters. "I know it's a cliche, but they really did leave it all on the field tonight."

After spotting English (6-2, 2-0) two early touchdowns thanks in part to a fumble on its own 32, Peabody battled back behind its superlative tailback Nat Gaye (22 rushes, 172 yards, 3 TDs). Gaye took the first handoff of the drive 64 yards and then barreled in four plays later from two yards out to make it 14-7 with 2:24 left in the first.

Trailing 21-7 midway through the second, a 53-yard interception return by Peabody defensive end Kevin Guzofski set up a one-yard plunge by Tanner QB Jason Hiou on fourth down to make it 21-14.

Once again English would answer but with just 41 seconds left in the half, Peabody marched 70 yards for its third touchdown of the game. Hiou would hit tight end Nick Ingham for 32 yards on the drive to get things going. With just six seconds left and the ball at the English 11, the shifty signal caller dropped back to pass, but instead darted for the end zone, diving across the goal line as time expired. The score made it 27-21 at the break and clearly energized the Tanners.

Down 34-21 late in the third, Gaye struck again as he broke loose for a 68-yard TD jaunt to once again pull the hosts to within one score. After a botched punt set up the Tanners in great field position at the English 17 with 7:54 to play in the game, Gaye finally got the evener as he swept 17 yards around left end to make it 34-34.

English posted what proved to be the winning score on a 45-yard pass play on third-and-long with 4:40 to play, but the tenacious Tanners looked like they would come right back. Hiou connected with Ingham on a 41-yard pass play to the visitors' 27. Peabody would have a first-and-goal at the seven, but could go no further against a  blitzing Bulldogs' defense.

"If they measured this game in heart, Peabody would have won, 60-0," lauded English coach Peter Holey afterward. "I can't say enough about how hard they played given their circumstances."

Things get no easier for the Tanners next week as they host perhaps the best team in the league when 7-1 North Andover comes to town.

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