The Whaler football team couldn’t get out of its own way Saturday afternoon against the West Bridgewater Wildcats, riding several undisciplined plays and penalties to a 14-6 loss at Vito Capizzo Stadium. The loss dropped their record to 2-2 this season.
“It was just a lot of mental mistakes from us today,” head coach Joe Perry said. “I’ve said it before but my message is when you go to bed at night, look in the mirror, did you do what you needed to do Monday to Friday to get the win on Saturday. We will need to work on some things and ask ourselves that question.”
The Whalers and Wildcats were scoreless heading into the second quarter, but the momentum in the game began to sway in West Bridgewater’s favor when the Whalers committed back-to-back offside penalties after pinning the Wildcats in a third-and-nine situation. The two penalties gave the Wildcats a first down at midfield without having to run a play. West Bridgewater went on to score on that drive with 8:53 to go in the second quarter, putting Nantucket in a 7-0 hole.
“The offside penalties really hurt us today,” Perry said. “The discipline was a major factor in this football game. They scored off those penalties. You take that away and it is a very different game. Week after week if you want to be the big dog, if you want to be at the top of the food chain, you have to prepare so mistakes like those aren’t happening in tight, defensive football games.”
The Whalers followed up West Bridgewater’s score with a drive of their own, which included a 47-yard reception from Caiden Shea off a screen pass to set the Whalers up with a first and goal opportunity from the eight-yard line. The Whalers were unable to punch the ball in and missed a field goal attempt, coming out of the drive with nothing to show for it.
The Whalers finally got their offense going in the second half. Running back Justin Bloise dashed to the right sideline and beat several Wildcat defenders to the edge. From there he used his speed to break off a 71-yard touchdown run, bringing the Whalers within one after a missed extra point.
The Whalers played strong defense for the remainder of the quarter and into the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get much more going on offense. The Wildcats were backed into a third and 17 situation four minutes into the final quarter of play at Nantucket’s 19-yard line. They converted on a 19-yard touchdown pass to bring their lead to eight points.
“We start practice at four o’clock and have the specials out at 3 pm,” Perry said. “Are we all collectively putting the time in to be able to prepare ourselves for these situations in the game. That is one of my big takeaways from the game.”
Bloise ripped off a 57-yard touchdown run on the following drive, but the play was called back after the Whalers were called for a block in the back. After a fumble gave possession back to West Bridgewater, the Whalers made another defensive stop but couldn’t do anything with it. The Wildcats defense ultimately was too much for Nantucket to overcome, handing the Whalers a 14-6 defeat.
The Whalers will have a bye week this week and won’t be in action again until Saturday, October 16, at 1 pm when they travel to take on the Sandwich Blue Knights.
