Randolph’s rollercoaster season hit another roadblock, as the Rams came up short against the Roxbury Gaels, 23-6, at Roxbury High School on Friday, Oct. 10.
“To win this game we have to take it one play at a time and execute,” said senior Steven Nostrame on what the Rams must do to win this game. “It’s also about staying united and keeping faith even when we are down in games—never back down and never give up.”
Roxbury got off to a hot start, marching down the field with patience and punching it in for a touchdown to take the 7-0 lead with 5:45 left to go in the first quarter.
On Randolph’s second drive, senior captain Jackson Magley tested his previously injured shoulder and connected with sophomore Dillon Hines on a couple of decent plays. Despite a tough effort by Magley and his offensive weapons, Nostrame and junior Erinson Febles, the Rams punted it away to the red-hot Gaels.
The Rams managed to keep Roxbury out of the end zone, but an intentional grounding led to a safety and possession went to the Gaels, who gained a 9-0 lead.
Once again, Randolph showed up on the defensive side of the ball, forcing a fumble and getting back the ball, a makeup for their earlier safety.
With under two minutes left in the half, Hines and Magley finally connected with a needed 15-yard receiving touchdown to cut the lead to 9-6.
Randolph showed why this was one of their better defensive halves, with run stops by senior captains Ben Quinn and Joey Bosotina, who came off of an injury for this game, ultimately closing the half 9-6.
“The mindset after the first quarter was to keep moving the ball,” Hines said. “Make third and fourth downs manageable and limit drive-killing penalties.”
Going into the second half, the Rams marched down the field, looking to take the lead, but came up inches short of the first down, losing momentum and giving Roxbury the ball.
Then the game flipped upside down, with the Gaels scoring their second touchdown, taking a 16-6 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter.
Despite having many chances to come back in the fourth quarter, the Rams couldn’t reach the light at the end of the tunnel. Key missed throws and tackles for losses ruined promising drives for the Rams, turning the ball over. With time running out, the Rams were not able to jump start their offense and ended up falling short, 23-6.
“We have to turn the page and set our focus to next week and not dwell on this loss,” sophomore Brady Founds said.
The Rams will look to earn their first win of the season when they host Orange on Friday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
