Mashpee rallies to get past Abington

ABINGTON — Trailing by 6 points with less than six minutes to play at Abington, Mashpee engineered a game-winning drive to keep its state-best 24-game winning streak alive. The eight-play, 53-yard drive saw senior Devaun Ford touch the ball all but one time, capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 20.

An extra point by senior Xavier Gonsalves zoomed just over the crossbar to give the Falcons a lead they would not relinquish in a 21-20 win over Abington on Friday.

“I had a slight thought in my head that we would run it,” said Gonsalves. “Blowouts are when we usually do PATs. We always practice PATs the Thursday before the game. I managed to somehow kick it through and I knew it when I kicked it.”

The tying touchdown capped a dominant performance by Ford. He finished with 147 yards rushing on 21 carries and two touchdowns to go along with three catches for 68 yards and a score. Ford also registered a pair of interceptions, including one in the end zone just before halftime.

“It’s been like this for four years,” said Mashpee coach Matt Triveri. “He does it every single way. He practices this way too. He’s become a great leader for these kids.”

That second-quarter interception was likely his biggest play. With Abington driving, a Christian Labossier threw a pass intended for Colby Augusta in the back of the end zone. But before Augusta could come down with the ball, Ford ripped it away for the pick.

“I saw it last second,” said Ford. “I went into the game saying I wasn’t getting beat this week on any type of pass play. Last year they caught me sleeping twice, so I was just coming in focused.”

Mashpee (4-0) opened the scoring in the second quarter when Ford made a diving catch on a corner fade from 6 yards out, the fourth straight completion by Falcons quarterback Ian Miller on the drive.

After falling behind for the first time early in the third quarter, Mashpee quickly regained the lead, thanks to Ford again, on a 1-yard run with less than a minute to go in the frame.

“Our coaches are always preparing us for games like this,” said Ford. “Last time we were up here, it was the same way. We just had to come out and make plays.”