Algonquin beats Marlborough in late season football clash

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By Jesse Kucewicz, Contributing Writer

The Algonquin scoreboard looms over Algonquin and Marlborough players as they grind toward an eventual 14-12 final score. (Photo/Jesse Kucewicz)
The Algonquin scoreboard looms over Algonquin and Marlborough players as they grind toward an eventual 14-12 final score.
(Photo/Jesse Kucewicz)

REGION – The Algonquin Regional High School football team defeated Marlborough High School at home in a defensive battle on Oct. 22, improving their record to 6-1.

After entering halftime with Algonquin leading 14-12, both defenses shut down their opponents, keeping things scoreless through the third and fourth quarters.

“Our defense has been playing well all year and they showed up to play for four quarters,” Algonquin Head Coach Mark Allen told the Community Advocate after the game. 

“That’s a testament to our defensive staff [and] everyone that worked on that game plan,” he continued. “I’m proud of everyone involved.”

A key defensive stand occurred late in the third quarter with Algonquin backed inside its own ten-yard line. The team stopped Marlborough on fourth down to force a turnover on downs.

Marlborough Head Coach Sean Mahoney said that those chances on which his team failed to convert could have made the difference in the final result of this game. 

Instead, the loss dropped the Panthers overall record to 4-3.

“They ran the ball really well against us in the first half,” Mahoney said. “In the second half, we improved.” 

“It’s a game that comes down to one play, and they made one more play than us,” he continued.

The Algonquin defense, indeed, stepped up again on fourth down with less than two minutes remaining in the game when Senior Shane Stevens intercepted a pass downfield.

With just two regular season games remaining, this will be the first winning season since 2016 for Algonquin. Even with a strong record heading into the postseason, Allen and his team know that they must continue their positive momentum in order to secure their spot in the playoffs.

“We went into the game with the mentality that it was a must-win game for us to have a chance to make the playoffs,” Allen said. “We had some ups and downs, but we came through in the end. It’s a testament to the kids playing hard for four quarters and not giving up.”

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Algonquin Regional High School (communityadvocate.com)

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ARHS girls soccer hopes shutout victory will mark turning point in season (communityadvocate.com)

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