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Updated: July 13, 2012 06:55:46 PM

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Decina & Dlugolecki Shine in Hiller’s 5^th Consecutive Season Victory

By: Lou Ottaviani

October 7, 2011 — Despite Hopkinton’s slow start in last night’s football game against visiting Dover/Sherborn, the Hillers were able to keep the Raiders from capitalizing on a number of opportunities that could have put Hopkinton in a jam early in the contest. Hiller Coach Jim Girard would be the first to tell you that he wasn’t happy with the performance of his undefeated squad. “It was a good win for us, but we still have a lot of work to do,” said Girard. “We played a better second half and adjusted. It comes down to staying focused, disciplined and controlling our mistakes. I thought that they (Dover/Sherborn) were playing us smart in the first half, keeping us off the field like they did. I told the players that despite being undefeated, we can’t be satisfied with that. We have to continue to get better.”

Hopkinton’s sloppy first half play saw them give up 4 penalties (for a total of 40 yards), and 3 turnovers (2 lost fumbles and an interception). Thankfully, the Raiders weren’t able to capitalize on these mistakes and the Hillers were able to regroup and get back on track by sticking to their game plan. Above, Jason Dlugolecki crosses the goal line. Photo is video grabshot.

With just 13 seconds into the game, Hopkinton fumbled the ball on the opening kickoff giving Dover/Sherborn prime real estate at the Hiller 25 yard line. The Raiders came out passing on their very first play trying to catch Hopkinton off guard, but Dover/Sherborn quarterback Will Scathard’s pass was overthrown in the end zone. Hopkinton’s defense made back to back penalties (offside and a facemask) brought the ball to the Hopkinton 5. The Hiller defense settled down, giving the Raiders a shot at a field goal. However, the field goal attempt missed wide to the right and Hopkinton’s offense took the ball over at the Hiller 20-yard line.

The Hillers first series started to show signs of brilliance with quarterback Mike Decina picking up 5 on the first down and then following up with a strike to senior Jason Dlugolecki who brought the ball down to the 25-yard line for a 47-yard completion. However, two plays later, Hopkinton’s luck failed them once again and the Hillers turned the ball over to the Raiders with their second fumble in just over 3 minutes of play.

With the ball on the Hopkinton 34, the Raiders controlled possession for the next 6:22, driving the ball all the way to the Hiller 11-yard line. Once again, Hopkinton’s defense held tough and took over possession with 1:18 left in the first quarter.

On the ensuing drive, Hopkinton drove the ball 89-yards behind the legs and arm of Decina, who ran for 15-yards on 4 carries and passed for 74-yards, completing 5 of his 8 passes. His last pass was an 18-yard strike to junior wide receiver Shaun Palmer which gave the Hillers their first score of the game, with 7:06 left to the half. Kicker, Barrett Hanlon split the uprights for the PAT to give Hopkinton a 7-0 lead.

Hopkinton defensive back Jack Ryan, intercepted Dover/Sherborn quarterback Will Scatchard, giving the Hillers good field position at the Raider 43-yard line with 6:08 left to the half. This pick was crucial in setting Hopkinton up for their next score.

With the ball 43-yards away from the end zone, the Hillers didn’t help themselves much, as two more costly penalties (a holding and a block in the back) brought Hopkinton back into Raider territory. Decina quickly regrouped and connected three big passes for 17 (to Hanlon), 9 (to Alex Hulme) and the final completion of 35-yards to Dlugolecki with 4:16 to the half. Hanlon made the PAT kick to give Hopkinton a 14-0 lead.

With Dover/Sherborn’s last drive of the half, Hanlon intercepted a Scatchard pass with 24 seconds to the half to prevent a possible Raider score. REST OF STORY...

The Hillers adjusted better coming out into the second half by holding the Raiders and keeping them at bay on their first 4 drives. On Hopkinton’s second drive of the half, the Hillers got a break when a Raiders punt got a good return and a Dover/Sherborn clip on the punt return put the Hopkinton ball on the Raiders 30-yard line.

On the second play from scrimmage, Dlugolecki scampered 28-yards around the right side for his second score of the evening on an end-around with 2:34 left in the third quarter. Hanlon’s PAT kick was, once again good, giving the Hillers a 21-0 lead.

Barrett Hanlon shined again on defense, picking off another Scatchard pass with just over a minute to play in the third quarter. This, too, was another critical play as it also set up Hopkinton’s final score on the night. Hanlon’s pick (at the 45-yard line) was returned to the 10-yard line, for a gain of 35-yards. Two plays later, the Hiller ball was on the 14-yard line. On the third play from scrimmage, Decina hit Alex Hulme for the score. Hanlon followed up with his fourth PAT point to give Hopkinton a 28-0 lead with 10:31 left to play.

At this point, Coach Girard rested his offensive and defensive starting squads to allow his back up players a chance for some valuable playing time.

With 2:22 left in the game, the Raiders scored on their final drive of the night with Scatchard connecting on a 21-yard pass completion to Steve Alessandro to make the final score 28-7.

Decina finished the night completing 13 of 20 passes, totaling 209 yard (3-TDs). He also picked up 52-yards on 11 carries. Decina spread his passing to four different receivers on the night, which included: Jason Dlugolecki (2 catches for 82-yard, 2-TDs), Alex Hulme (6 catches for 64-yards, TD), Barrett Hanlon (4 catches for 45-yards) and Shaun Palmer (1 catch for 18-yards).

The Hillers (5-0) will be traveling next Friday for a 7PM match up against the Lancers of Norton.

	1 QTR	2 QTR	3 QTR	4 QTR	FINAL
DOVER-SHERBORN	0	0	0	7	7
RAIDERS
HOPKINTON	0	14	7	7	28
HILLERS

SCHOOL PLAYER PASS-RUN-FG-INT’D-PAT YDG. TIME QTR

H Shaun Palmer Pass from Mike Decina 18 yds. 7:06 2

Barrett Hanlon PAT Kick Good

H Jason Dlugolecki Pass from Mike Decina 35 yds. 4:16 2

Barrett Hanlon PAT Kick Good

H Jason Dlugolecki Run 28 yds. 2:34 3

Barrett Hanlon PAT Kick Good

H Alex Hulme Pass from Mike Decina 14 yds. 10:31 4

Barrett Hanlon PAT Kick Good

D/S Steve Alessandro Pass from Will Scatchard 21 yds. 2:22 4

Jonathan Marston PAT Kick Good

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

STATS

Passing Leader:

Hopkinton – Mike Decina 13 for 20 for 209 Total Yards (3-TD passes)

Receivers:

Hopkinton – Jason Dlugolecki 2 catches for 82 yards (1-TD)

Hopkinton – Alex Hulme 6 catches for 64 yards (1-TD)

Receivers (continued):

Hopkinton - Barrett Hanlon 4 catches for 45 yards

Hopkinton – Shaun Palmer 1 catch for 18 yards (1-TD)

Rushing Leader:

Hopkinton – Mike Decina 11 carries for 52 yards

Hopkinton – Jason Dlugolecki 1 rush for 28 yards (1-TD)

Hopkinton Record: 5-0 (2-0, TVL)

Dover/Sherborn Record: 2-3 (1-1, TVL)