Eaton Dominates In Potentially Bittersweet Grey Ghost Victory

There are fine lines between victories and pyhrric victories, a line that remains obscured after the Grey Ghosts bounced back on Friday night at home against the outmatched Crusaders of Groton-Dunstable, 33-8.

's victory may have been bittersweet due to what head coach Rich McKenna reports as either a separated or sprained shoulder that forced starting quarterback Troy Faretra from the game in the first half.

The near future for Faretra, who would not return and left the contest with negative yardage to his name on the night, is still up in the air, but his deparature inspired his teammates, particularly fellow offensive threat Alex Eaton. 

Eaton, who already had a touchdown before Faretra's departure, ended the day with five trips to the end zone and 313 yards, just short of the combined rushing total on the night for all other players on both teams.

"When the run game starts rolling, when we get him a little bit of space, he does good things with the football," said McKenna.

But, despite Eaton's overwhelming performance, there were times when the visiting underdogs seemed like they might give the Grey Ghosts trouble, particularly on a 15 play drive that ate up most of the first half but ultimately ended in a loss on downs.

"Oh my goodness, not only are they scrappy, but (Groton-Dunstable) are very well coached, they were doing some things to us schematically that were excellent, " said McKenna. " (Groton-Dunstable is) an undersized team, and we have alot of respect for them, they came out fighting."

For Groton-Dunstable head coach Derek Asadoorian, that fighting spirit wasn't nearly enough on a night where, if not for the force of nature that was Eaton, the Crusaders may have had a chance at the upset if they made the most of their opportunities.

"I didn't feel good at all, because we didn't get it done when we had to get it done," said Asadoorian. "We're not going to beat a team like Westford if we're going to give up chances."

Westford Academy (2-2) will seek to continue on next Thursday at home against Newton South while Groton-Dunstable (2-2) takes to the road again on Friday against Clinton.

For more statistical information on the game, check out our , and stay tuned for this week's recap on Friday morning.