NEWTON — With a fourth-quarter defensive stand and a pair of second-half Connor Swanson touchdowns, Newton North secured a 14-12 win against Weymouth, its first over the Wildcats in eight years.
“It’s hard to beat them,” said Newton North head coach Nick Capodilupo. “Coach [Michael] Donovan is a tough out.”
But early on it wasn’t looking good for the Tigers (3-0), as they turned the ball over on downs to end both first-half drives, while the Wildcats (2-1) took command through their running game.
Weymouth running back Brendan Flynn scored the only touchdown of the first half on a 22-yard rush.
Weymouth, which was 2-of-5 passing in the first half, looked to build off its momentum to open the second half,but Newton North recovered its own onside kick.
“Coach [Napoleon] Miller had the idea, and we were just feeling like [we had to] put pressure on their team,” said Capodilupo.
Junior quarterback Connor Swanson gave the Tigers their first lead with a 1-yard rush, and after Newton North recovered a fumble on Weymouth’s side of the field, he ran in another 1-yard score.
Swanson set up both touchdowns with key passes to extend the drives, including a 34-yard completion to senior wide receiver Gio Chandler before the first score.
“We run this stuff in practice for a reason,” said Swanson. “Fourth and long, I give my guy a shot every single time.”
Weymouth had a chance to tie it up when Flynn scored on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers’ defense shut down the 2-point conversion rush.
