Hingham High was undefeated, and Marshfield was on a two-game winning streak heading into Friday night’s football game. Something had to give between the Patriot League rivals.
What ended was Hingham’s undefeated season when the Marshfield defense suppressed the Harbormen’s running game and Aidan True stepped in for a pair of missing teammates with two touchdowns and 100+ rushing yards in a Rams win. by 35-14.
Marshfield improved to 3-2 as the Rams turned their attention to Friday night’s road game at Whitman-Hanson. Hingham (4-1) has an extra day to work things out as they have a home game next Saturday afternoon at 1:30 pm against Plymouth North, which they haven’t won.
The key to the Rams’ victory can be found right at the point of attack. Hingham’s running backs, Jeremy Aylward and Ryan St. Croix, have missed some big plays in the last two weeks, but those big holes in the line didn’t seem to exist against Marshfield.
“The defensive coaches put together a great game plan and I think the guys on defense had some real confidence in what we were doing. We rotated six defensive linemen on and off tonight and starting middle linebackers Aidan True and John McAlpine really had an outstanding game,” Marshfield coach Chris Arouca said.
With two key offensive weapons — veteran captains Jason O’Keefe and Jack Marini — both injured, it fell to True to take over as the Rams’ workhorse. He responded with two touchdowns and several key runs that kept Marshfield’s offense moving the chains.
“A lot fell on Aidan tonight and this was the best he’s raced all year. He was a horse on both sides of the ball,” Arouca said.
True said her individual effort would not have been possible without the help of her teammates.
“Next man up. We’re missing two of our best weapons, so we all had to come together to make the game plan work,” True said. “Both Jason and Jack are great football players and we all had to step in and share the load with them outside of the game tonight. My line opened up some huge holes for me tonight and you can feel like we’re starting to build momentum.”
Arouca agreed, saying, “Every week we are getting a little better. The kids have never gotten discouraged (after opening with two losses) and now we’re not seeing the mistakes we were making earlier in the season. Hopefully, I think our best football is still ahead of us.”
Marshfield was on the scoreboard a minute into the game on Anthony Molander’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Kelly. Kelly’s first of five extra points gave the Rams a 7-0 lead.
Molander increased the lead later in the half with a short touchdown run to send Marshfield into halftime with a 14-0 lead.
True increased the lead with an 8-yard run on Marshfield’s first drive after the break. The next time they had the ball, Marshfield turned to the passing attack again when Molander connected with Nic Cupples on a beautiful 20-yard touchdown pass along the home sideline to make it 28-0.
Hingham’s Brendan Hill took over most of the run in the second half and put the Harbormen on the scoreboard with a four-yard run with 1:04 left in the third quarter.
True had an answering touchdown on the ensuing drive, catching a screen pass from Molander and diving for a nine-yard touchdown pylon to make the game 35-7.
Hingham’s Cam Dobson broke free for a 79-yard touchdown reception with 2:11 left to make the final score 35-14.
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