Blue Devils come up short in overtime
By Chuck Sargent
Article Launched: 10/18/2008 06:12:55 AM EDT

HOLDEN -- After cruising to four straight wins following a
season-opening loss to Everett, the Blue Devils knew they would have
their hands full with an upstart Wachusett Regional football team that
has turned many heads this season.

The Mountaineers lived up to the billing and then some, upsetting
Leominster 20-14 in overtime at Hal Lane Field.

"It was a great game, they played well," Leominster coach John
Dubzinski said. "I thought we played a great second half. They made
the plays in overtime and we didn't and it came down to that. But I
thought both teams gave a very good effort. It was a good game, we
just came up a little short."

Matt Pedone ran the Mountaineers' first play of overtime into the end
zone from 10 yards out. Leominster was unable to respond, as
quarterback Pat O'Connor's fourth down pass was intercepted by Gary
White.

It took two goal line stands by the Wachusett defense to force the
game into overtime. First, the Mountaineers dropped running back Malik
Daniel for a loss on fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line with 4:07 to
go.

The Blue Devils then got a second chance when Ryan DeMar recovered a
fumble just inside the Wachusett 10-yard line. But on fourth-and-goal
from inside the 1, O'Connor was stuffed on a sneak.

The Mountaineers took a 7-0 lead into the half thanks to a 1-yard
sneak from quarterback Sean Quinlivan.

The Blue Devils came out on fire in the second half, with O'Connor
capping a 13-play, 88-yard drive Advertisement with a 2-yard
sneak. The 2-point conversion failed, making the score 7-6.

Leominster then took the lead on Wachusett's next possession as
Michael Pedreira intercepted a pass and rumbled 35 yards for the
score. O'Connor ran in the 2-point conversion to make it 14-7.

Wachusett tied it up early in the fourth quarter when Pedone ran it in
from 18 yards to set up the overtime.

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