Warriors Football Scores a Big Win in Football Opener

It was by far one of the most dominant first half performances that a King Philip football team has put together.

The Warriors scored on all six possessions in the first two quarters against Wayland en route to a 42-7 opening season win. King Philip put together drives of 70, 82, 43, 54, 35 and 62 yards in the first half, getting into the end zone four times via the run and two times through the air.

Although the Warriors had their way with their Warrior counterparts, Coach Brain Lee warned his team of what was yet to come.

“I’m pleased with all aspects of the game. You can’t control what the other team is doing, but I’m pleased with the way we came out to play and executed, especially since a lot of these guys are playing for the first time on Friday night,” the coach said. “They all know what the other teams in the Hock have in store for them. I want them to be excitred about their performance tonight, but also realize that it’s going to get a lot harder.”

Offensively, the Warriors took under a minute to put the first touchdown of the new season on the board. Following a two-yard loss on a run play, sophomore quarterback John Dillon hit Michael Viola with a short pass. The wide receiver broke a tackle and raced 68 yards for the touchdown.

After the first of seven three-and-outs by Wayland, the KP signal caller concluded a 12-play, 82-yard drive with 26-yard touchdown pass to Sam McDonald, giving the Warriors a 14-0 lead after the first quarter. Dillon would finish the first half of his first varsity start 5-7 for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“They were giving him (Dillon) good protection and, as a young quarterback, he was able to make his throws. The receivers did a good job catching, too,” the coach said.

Brett McEvoy (9 carries for 57 yards) would rumble in from one yard out two plays into the second quarter, and senior running back Charles Ruffin would wrap up KP's scoring by reaching the end zone on three occasions before the half ended. Ruffin, who began the game with 16 yards on 9 carries, would finish the game with 14 carries for 111 yards and three scores of 28, 24 and 15 yards.

“I think he (Ruffin) had a little rust on him, he just wasn’t really feeling it,” Lee said. “We were having trouble blocking up front and when Charles began to loosen up, the offensive line loosened up, and the two go hand in hand.”

While the offense was having all the fun putting all the points on the board, the defense was setting them up nicely. The King Philip defense not only forced Wayland to punt on all six first half possessions, they held the Warriors to a miniscule 14 yards of offense over the first two quarters of play.

While the Wayland ofense pretty much stalled in the first half, the visitors were able to put together a lengthy drive in the third quarter. The drive began on their own 40-yard line, and concluded in the fourth quarter when quarterback Will Gunshenan connected with Tyler Modas for a 16-yard score. The Wayland drive stalled on the KP 47, but on the ensuing punt, the ball was dropped and the [Wayland] Warriors came up with the ball on the 15-yard line.

“This was a bad night for the [Wayland] Warriors. We couldn’t block or tackle, and you need to do these things if you want to win football games,” Wayland Coach Scott Parseghian said. “We’re a young team with only four seniors, but this was not us tonight.”

KP will host a tough opponent next Friday night in Medfield.