On Friday, September 30th, the WA Grey Ghosts Football team took on Lincoln-Sudbury at Alumni Field. With on and off rain, the Ghosts fought hard against the tough LS team, but ended up losing by a final score of 14-13.

The game started off with both sides punting on their opening drives, showing that both defenses were ready to put up a tough fight for the rest of the game. However, just a few minutes into the game, senior quarterback Connor Degenhardt connected with junior receiver Tyler Blagg for a big first down.

This gain would not end up having any impact for the Ghosts, as the tough LS defense eventually stopped the Ghosts, squashing WA’s chances of getting onto the scoreboard first.

The first quarter came to a close with a score of 0-0.

The second quarter began with WA on offense. They wasted no time in trying to put points on the board, as they moved within yards of a touchdown after just a few minutes of second quarter play.

However, the LS defense stayed strong and forced a fourth and goal situation for the Ghosts, who opted to go for it. The Ghosts weren’t able to capitalize on this fourth down attempt, and LS forced a turnover on downs with eight minutes to go in the half.

On their following possession, LS wasted no time in trying to put some points on the board. They marched their way down field and eventually ended up pulling off an impressive option play to put them within yards of a touchdown. A couple plays later, they found their way into the end zone for a touchdown. After a successful point after attempt, they had a 7-0 lead.

The Ghosts looked to respond to this LS touchdown, but just a few plays into their next drive, Degenhardt threw an interception to an LS defender, who ran it all the way back to the end zone for a pick six. After another successful point after attempt, LS’s lead had increased to 14-0 with about four minutes to go in the half.

On their following drive, the Ghosts looked to respond with a touchdown of their own, but they were eventually forced to punt back to LS.

A few plays into their drive, an LS running back ran what seemed to be a very impressive run into the end zone, which would have given his team a commanding lead over the Ghosts. However, this play was called back due to a hold, invalidating the LS touchdown.

Eventually, the half came to a close, with Lincoln-Sudbury up 14-0 over the Ghosts.

The second half started out with both sides trading off possession, until the Ghosts’ offense finally broke through.

After a big first down catch by Blagg, the Ghosts were put even closer to the end zone after junior Trevor Faretra broke through a few LS defenders to put WA within yards of a touchdown.

However, just as WA looked like they were going to put some points on the board, they were faced with another fourth and goal situation. After opting to go for it, Degenhardt found senior Mark Dunne in the end zone for a Ghosts’ touchdown. A successful point after attempt put WA behind by just one touchdown with two minutes to go in the third quarter.

The third quarter came to a close with LS still leading 14-7.

Much like the third quarter, both teams traded off empty possessions, as both defenses stayed strong. However, LS managed to get into field goal range, but missed the field goal, keeping WA in the game.

With about three minutes to go in the game, LS forced another interception out of Degenhardt, and even managed to get into field goal range once again. However, they were not able to kick a successful field goal, giving WA one last chance to tie the game.

Degenhardt and the rest of the offense marched back out onto the field one last time, looking to tie up the game.

The game was looking to be all but over, until just under two minutes to go. Degengardt found Blagg downfield once again for a huge gain and a big first down for the Ghosts. A few plays later, Degenhardt scrambled looking for a receiver, but took matters into his own hands, rushing into the end zone for a touchdown with less than a minute to play. Their deficit now being cut to just one point, trailing 14-13.

It came down to one final point after attempt in order for WA to tie up the game. At first, WA was unsuccessful in their extra point kick, but the play was called back due to a roughing the kicker penalty against LS. Now being in better field position, the Ghosts opted to go for two, giving them a chance to win the game.

However, their two point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, as the LS defense forced an incompletion with fifty seconds to go.

The Ghosts had one final chance to get the ball back with an onside kick. LS however; was able to recover the onside kick.

The game ended with a final score of 14-13, in favor of Lincoln-Sudbury.

WA is now 2-2 and will face Waltham on October 7th in Waltham.