The Old Rochester Regional High School football team played their home opener against Bishop Stang on September 13 and won 32-26, in a well fought comeback. The Bulldogs were down 13-6 at halftime and 20-6 at the start of the third, but were resilient and wouldn’t give up.
“Boys played tough and kept fighting,” said ORR Head Coach Bryce Guilbeault.
The Bulldogs scored two quick touchdowns in the third quarter, and didn’t allow one more point from Bishop Stang.
“Defense clamped down when they had to, and the offense made big plays,” said Guilbeault.
It was back and forth in the fourth quarter, but ORR quarterback Gavin Martin scored a rushing touchdown with 7:49 remaining. The Bulldogs then had to defend the visiting Spartans until the final whistle, where they eventually were at the 1-yard line.
ORR made many stops until it got to fourth down with four seconds remaining. Stang scored the touchdown to tie the game and had a kick to win it. The kick was up, but it was blocked by the Bulldogs to force overtime.
The defense clamped on Stang in overtime, and the ORR got possession. Martin found an open lane and scored another rushing touchdown to secure the win for the Bulldogs.
“Then to block the extra point to force overtime and to win for a second week in a row in OT was pretty special,” said Guilbeault.
The win showed that there are two halves to football, and that one doesn’t define you.
“I thought we really dominated the offensive and defensive lines in the second half,” said Guilbeault.
Martin totaled 219 rushing yards, 89 passing yards, and set a school record with five rushing touchdowns. The Bulldogs are now 2-0 and will host defending MIAA Division 6 Super Bowl champion Fairhaven (1-1) on Friday, September 20, at 6:30 pm.
Boys Soccer
The Bulldogs faced Seekonk and battled but lost 1-0 on September 11. Seekonk had 2 shots on goal, and ORR had 21.
“We outplayed our opponent but couldn’t score a goal,” said ORR Head Coach Mike Devoll, whose team was 1-1-1 three games into the new season.
ORR junior-varsity team also played Seekonk on September 11 and won 5-0. James Jadlowic started it off for the Bulldogs with a quick goal, as Max Ferrari got the assist. Lazaro Rosa scored on a rebound to make the score 2-0.
“Lazaro Rosa showed a lot of hustle,” said ORR Coach Geoffrey Kelsey.
Jack Thompson scored two goals, and goalkeeper Owen Harrington got a chance to play striker and scored off a header.
“Our defenders had to contend with some very speedy Seekonk forwards and did a great job keeping them off the scoresheet. The team is progressing as they get more and more used to playing with each other,” said Kelsey.
The Bulldogs took a 2-1 record into Wednesday’s match at West Bridgewater (2-1).
Girls Soccer
ORR played at Seekonk on September 11 and won 5-3, improving to 4-0 on the season. Audrey Thomas secured a hat trick, and Liz Feeney and Late Thomsen each scored a goal. Amanda Ignacio had an assist. The Bulldogs were 2-0-1 heading into West Bridgewater on Wednesday.
ORR JV’s team also played Seekonk on September 11 and won 5-0. Zoe Papadakis shone with a hat trick, scoring three goals, while Rylee Cusick and Nina Costa each contributed with one. The Bulldogs were scheduled to host West Bridgewater on Wednesday.
Golf
The Bulldogs hosted Apponequet at the Bay Club on September 12 and won 223-272. They now stand at a strong 6-0 on the season. Peter le Gassick shot a 1-under-par 34, Luke Pierre shot 35 (even) and Jack Czerkowicz shot 36 (1 over par). The Bulldogs were set to host Bishop Stang (6-1) on Wednesday at the Bay Club.
Girls Volleyball
ORR played Somerset Berkley on September 13 and won in straight sets. The set scores were 25-13, 25-13, and 25-20. The Bulldogs are now 4-1 on the season and 3-0 in the South Coast Conference. Aubrie Letourneau had 33 assists, and Ava Vander Pol had 11 kills. They were scheduled to play West Bridgewater on September 18.
Field Hockey
The Bulldogs played Joseph Case High School (Swansea) to a scoreless tie on September 12. “Case dominated the entire game, but we were able to keep it tied 0-0,” said ORR Head Coach Aislynn Quinn. Goalkeeper Reilly Patraiko had 6 saves. ORR’s next game will be at Fairhaven (1-4) on Thursday, September 19.
ORR JV’s squad also played Case and lost 2-1. Morgan LeBlanc scored for ORR.
Sports Roundup
By Aiden Comorosky