By Sameer Kini
Sports Editor

For Acton-Boxborough runningback Kyle Sweeney, this was a game to remember. Carrying for all three of AB’s touchdowns, Sweeney led the Colonials to 14 unanswered points in the second half to beat the Grey Ghosts in a down to the wire matchup.

The game started looking like a defensive showdown, with AB deferring the opening coin toss and stopping Westford for a three and out. The Colonials began driving down the field until a fumbled pitch was recovered by the Ghosts, shifting the momentum. A few plays later, WA quarterback Justin Mount ran the option for an electrifying 55 yard touchdown, putting the Ghosts up 7-0.

After this, however, AB came right back. With good field position to start the drive, AB drove deep into Westford territory, but found themselves with a 4th and 2 within field goal range. After a gutsy call to go for it, Sweeney was able to carry for the first, and a few plays later, punched it in for a 4 yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.

The next scoring drive came halfway through the second when Alex Eaton was able to shred the AB defense all the way to the Colonials’ 30 yard line. After a penalty set the Ghosts back, they found themselves looking at 3rd and 17. WA was not fazed and made their only pass completion of the day, a 30 yard pass from Justin Mount to senior Eric Cajolet which put the Ghosts up 14-7.

Coming towards the end of the half, the Colonials found themselves on the Ghosts’ 4 yard line with 10 seconds to play. However, Cajolet came up big yet again with an interception that ended the half, with the Ghosts up 14-7.

At the start of the 3rd quarter, AB’s decision to defer the toss paid dividends. The Colonials kept handing the ball to Sweeney play after play, and WA had no answer. To culminate the 5 minute drive, Sweeney scored yet again, this time on a 4 yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14 all.

After multiple drives that ended in punts or turnovers on downs, the Colonials began the drive that would change the game. Starting in their own territory, AB’s offensive line was able to open gaping holes in WA’s defense for Sweeney, who carried for a 3 yard touchdown with 6 minutes left to cap off the drive, putting AB up 21-14.

WA knew they had to respond, and went to their play-maker, Al Eaton, who was able to get them into AB territory. However, on a 3rd and 7, Mount tried the option again but lost yardage, putting them in a 4th and long that would basically decide the game. Mount dropped back to pass and hurled it over the middle, just overthrowing senior Mike Doran down field as the ball skipped off his fingertips to the turf.

At that point, WA had one timeout left, and AB knew they could go to their MVP Sweeney, who was able to ice the game. The thrilling game ended in defeat for the Ghosts, with the final being 21-14 Acton-Boxborough.