Andrew Hanna stiff-arms a Tantasqua defender as he maintains possession for Grafton, April 9.
By Dakota Antelman, Managing Editor
GRAFTON – The Grafton High School football team got back into the win column April 9 with a 28-7 victory over Tantasqua.
A triumphant day on its home field, the strong showing improved Grafton’s season win-loss record to 2-2.
“[Grafton High School Football] clicking on all cylinders,” Athletic Director Kevin Anderson tweeted shortly after the win.
Quarterback Tyler Dimond opened the scoring in the first quarter by shaking off defenders and rumbling into the endzone himself for a 27-yard touchdown run. Kicker Nate Remillard completed the extra point attempt, putting Grafton up 7-0 early in their game.
The defense stepped up in the second quarter, running back an interception for a touchdown to eventually give Grafton a 14-0 lead after another extra point kick.
Reassessing in halftime, Tantasqua briefly took momentum in the third quarter. Jonathan Miranda punched a five-yard score past Grafton blockers to halve their lead.
The offense answered, though, as Andrew Hanna soon hauled in a 14-yard reception from Dimond for another touchdown.
Up 21-7, Grafton tacked on one more touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“Tyler Dimond is must-see TV,” Anderson wrote in another postgame social media posting.
As he heaped praise on his program’s standout junior star, Anderson and the Grafton football community similarly celebrated their senior players.
April 9 marked Grafton’s Senior Night celebration as players and families gathered during a pre-game ceremony to honor the commitment of players now finishing their high school careers, this spring.
“Senior Night victories always feel so much better,” Anderson tweeted.
This victory came a week after Fitchburg dealt Grafton a difficult 15-7 loss. More broadly, this continued a roller coaster year on the field that has seen Grafton lose two games with a stifled offense, while now also winning two others thanks to explosive scoring.
