The Whaler football team knew they needed to be better this week than they were last week in their 28-6 loss to the Mashpee Falcons. They were able to get back in the win column this week and piece together a strong effort against the Nauset Warriors, winning 38-0 Friday night.
“We really cleaned it up in the second half after we had a conversation about that needing to happen at halftime,” head coach Joe Perry said. “Blocks in the back and stuff like that, we don’t want any part of that. We don’t want to have a reputation for being that kind of football team.”
The Whalers and Warriors each started the game with a three and out drive. The Whalers recovered a fumble on the Warriors punt attempt to gain possession inside the Nauset 20-yard line. Nantucket returned the favor the next play by fumbling and giving possession right back to Nauset, but Nauset’s drive stalled again and they were forced to punt.
The Nauset long snap went over the punter’s head, resulting in a safety, an early 2-0 lead for Nantucket, and forced Nauset to punt it back to Nantucket.
Running back Justin Bloise made sure Nantucket wouldn’t come up empty on another drive, scoring on a 44-yard run to give the Whalers a 9-0 lead with 6:40 left in the first quarter.
“We all had the goal to bounce back with a win and a strong team effort,” Bloise said. “We practiced hard five days straight leading into this game. We knew we needed to bounce back. Our offensive line was awesome. Our defense was strong. It was a really great effort but we can’t be satisfied. We have West Bridgewater next week.”
The Whalers and Warriors remained in a 9-0 defensive battle going into halftime. Whaler strong safety Garner Ray had a 101-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter, but it was called back after Nantucket was called for a block in the back penalty.
The Whalers offense came alive in the third quarter. Bloise found more open space and scored his second touchdown of the game, a 59-yard touchdown run, to make it a 16-0 game.
Quarterback Carlos Aguilar got into the scoring action, connecting with wide receiver Makai Bodden for an 11-yard touchdown pass, putting Nantucket up 23-0 with 6:25 to go in the third quarter.
“Nauset was playing us really tough in that first half and they are a good, tough team,” Bloise said. “They are a big team while we aren’t that big size wise. I think the first half we were kind of playing bad but in the second half we started to play the way we should play. I couldn’t have had those touchdown runs without my offensive line. They make the holes for me, I bounce out, and just try to make a play.”
The Whalers added another touchdown with 7:14 to go in the game when Bodden took a punt back for his second touchdown, making several defenders miss on his way to the endzone.
Nantucket scored in the final minute of the game after running back Jayquan Francis ripped off a 90-yard touchdown run while the Whalers were running down the clock. They converted the two-point conversion to make it 38-0.
“It feels good tonight,” Perry said. “I was happier with the plays in the second half. Coach Tim Psaradelis went over some blocking schemes at halftime because number 52 (Warriors linebacker Raven Bennett) was in our backfield all game. He was causing all sorts of problems for us. He is one heck of a football player.”
Bloise said the win feels good and that is what matters most to him. He said in the heat of the game he doesn’t think much about the moments where he scores.
“It feels good to break off those runs but I’m always tired to be honest and then I have to go kick after,” Bloise said.
The Whalers will look to improve their record to 3-1 next week when they welcome the West Bridgewater Wildcats to the island Saturday, October 2nd, at 2:30 pm.
