Playing to win the game

Region - This is what you get when you give a pair of former college quarterbacks talentloaded football teams, and put their teams on the field playing for a league championship: a wildly entertaining game.

On a night when Marlborough could have wrapped up the Division 1 East football title, Shrewsbury took a stranglehold of the league title with a 28-27 victory Oct. 27.

Coaches Marlborough's Sean Mahoney and Shrewsbury's Terry Walles don't like to play the game conservatively. They are offensive men and their philosophies are reflected in the way their teams play and the decisions they make. One of those decisions might have determined the league championship and post-season berths.

This is football the way it should be, playing for the win.

Marlborough pulled within a point with a half-minute left in the game when arguably the region's best quarterback, Josh Carter, hit Tyler McElman with a touchdown. More conservative coaches would have kicked the extra point and gone into overtime. Not Mahoney, who instead called for the two-point conversion try, hopeful of getting the points that would clinch the league championship.

Unfortunately for Mahoney and the Panthers, Carter's pass was picked off by Shrewsbury's Nate Theodoss, and with it, likely ended Marlborough's D1E title chances.

There will be second guessing about Mahoney's decision to go for the deuce rather than play for overtime. But it won't come from here. Instead, kudos go to a coach who showed confidence in his off ense and went for the victory.

Shrewsbury continues unbeaten at 8-0 overall and 3-in the league. Marlborough falls to 5-3 overall, 4-1 in the league. Both teams continue to play spectacular football that warrants attention. With the season in its final weeks, make your plans to get out for some high school football.

Hoop coaching clinic

Youth basketball coaches in the region are invited to attend a free coaching clinic Tuesday Nov. 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Marlborough Boys & Girls Club. Coach Dan Whitham, director of the Basketball Players Edge program, will be the featured presenter.

The clinic is targeted for both new and veteran youth basketball coaches of boys and girls of many age groups. Whitham emphasizes in his program player development methods. Offensive and defensive drills will be presented with on-court demonstrations. The program will also discuss practice scheduling and game strategy.

Whitham has been coaching high school and college basketball for more than 25 years and is a frequent lecturer across New England. Whitham has coached the game in Weymouth, Walpole, East Bridgewater and Mass Bay Community College. He is now serving his fifth season as the head women's coach at Massasoit Community College. Whitham is also part of the Basketball Players Edge program that travels throughout New England.

The program is sponsored by Marlborough Youth Basketball but is open to coaches from outside the city. For more information, contact Paul Vaccaro at paulvaccaro@comcast. net.

Week 9 pigskin

forecast

All games Friday Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. or Saturday Nov. 3 at 1 p.m., unless noted.

Holy Name at Westborough, Saturday, 2 p.m. The Rangers come off a nice 26-18 win over Millbury as quarterback Pete Orlando had a big game. Prediction: Holy Name 27-21.

Doherty at Marlborough, Friday. Prediction: Marlborough 28-14.

Hudson at Clinton, Friday. The troubles continue for the Hawks with a 42-21 loss to Ayer. Hudson falls to 3-5 and is now likely pointing to their T-giving morning game to save the season. Prediction: Clinton 28-8.

Bay Path at Assabet Valley. Friday. The Aztecs rolled to a 36-0 win over Monty Tech, their 7th straight win. The Aztecs are scoring at a Patriot-like clip. Prediction: Keep the good times rolling. Assabet 35-7.

Hudson Catholic at Murdock, Friday. The Green Wave come off a bye week. Maybe that will help ignite the off ense. Prediction: Murdock 21-7.

Shrewsbury at Burncoat, Friday. Prediction: Shrewsbury 35-14.

St. John's at Leominster, Friday. St. John's comes off a 40-7 loss, incredibly their fourth loss in five weeks. Where has this season gone? Prediction: Leominster 35-14.

Milford at Algonquin, Friday. Speaking of seasons that have gone astray, so it has for the T-Hawks, now 3-5 overall, having dropped their last four. Prediction: Milford 28-14.

Send mail and sports ideas to ronwoodcock@charter.net.