Maynard Tigers VS Hudson Hawks

MAYNARD – On a cold and rainy Halloween Eve, the Maynard Tigers lost 44-13 to reigning Division 6 state champs Hudson at Alumni Field. 

It was Senior Night for the Tigers. Maynard honored its four senior players and one senior manager as they played their final regular-season game at Alumni Field. The seniors included running back/safety Thomas Lawton, offensive/defensive lineman Victory Miki, running back/linebacker Guilherme Quintela, linebacker/offensive lineman Niko Andrews, and manager Josiah Rios.

Lawton led the way for the Tigers, scoring both of Maynard’s touchdowns. The first came on an 81-yard kickoff return, with Lawton slicing through the middle of the Hudson coverage team before breaking out of the pack and sprinting to the end zone with six seconds left in the first quarter. 

Lawton added another touchdown in the third quarter on a 19-yard scamper down the right sideline. For the game, Lawton had 101 yards on seven carries and one catch for three yards. 

Fellow senior Andrews led the defense with 11 tackles, including one for a loss. It was Andrews’ second game of the season with double-digit tackles, giving him 60 tackles on the season with four tackles for a loss, two fumble recoveries, and two sacks. 

Miki provided a stout presence on both lines, with four tackles, including one for a loss. This season, Miki has recorded 41 tackles, including eight for a loss, and has a team-leading three sacks. 

Quintela rounded out the group on Thursday with a tackle on defense and four carries for 15 yards on offense. 

Maynard (2-6) will play two consolation games before playing at West Boylston on Thanksgiving Day.

Maynard Tigers @ Fitchburg Red Raiders

FITCHBURG – Explosive plays and a stout defense keyed a 28-6 Maynard/AMSA victory over Fitchburg Friday at Crocker Field on Friday, November 7th.

The Tigers scored on offensive plays of 52 and 88 yards while adding quick change scores on a fumble recovery in the end zone and a 41-yard interception return. These big plays supported a stifling defensive effort, as Maynard limited Fitchburg to 132 total yards and zero offensive points. 

Maynard struck first in the first quarter. Quarterback Connor Noble threw down the middle of the field, finding receiver Ethan Hobin around Fitchburg’s 30-yard line. The ball was broken up by the Red Raider defender, but Hobin was able to tip the ball to his twin brother John, who caught the deflection and sprinted to the end zone for a 52-yard touchdown. 

On Fitchburg’s next possession, the Maynard defense forced a three-and-out. The snap for the ensuing punt went high, and Tiger defender Zeph Hirsh fell on the ball in the end zone to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead. Hirsh added another fumble recovery in the fourth quarter and finished with one tackle for a loss.

Maynard junior Michael Coleman added his own fireworks in the second quarter. Coleman burst through the left side of the Red Raider defense and sprinted 88 yards for a touchdown with 3 minutes, 33 seconds left in the first half. Coleman led the Tigers in rushing with 10 carries for 125 yards. Senior Tommy Lawton had 12 carries for 124 yards, marking the first game this season that the Tigers had two 100-yard rushers. 

Fitchburg’s only touchdown came on an interception return two minutes later, making the halftime score 21-6. The Tigers returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter, when defensive lineman Rodrigo Madureira caught a ball that was tipped into the middle of the defense and rumbled 41 yards for the score. 

Defensively, Maynard held the Red Raiders to 132 total yards and three yards per carry. Fitchburg only managed six first downs in the game, and four of those came in the fourth quarter with the game all but out of reach.

Leading the way for the Tiger defense was senior Niko Andrews, who had 11 tackles, including three for a loss. Fellow senior Victory Miki had 10 tackles, including three for a loss, and one sack. John Hobin added eight tackles, including one for a loss, with a fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Coleman chipped in eight tackles while sophomore Dan Carroll had seven tackles, including two for a loss. 

Offensively, Noble was 3 of 5 passing for 84 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Sophomore running back Derek Viera had 54 total yards, including 33 rushing yards and one catch for 21 yards. 

Maynard (3-6) will host a consolation game next week before playing their annual Turkey Bowl game to finish the season.