MANSFIELD- It is hard to win in football when you cannot possess the ball. On Thursday morning, Foxboro did not run a single play in the first quarter but somehow won the 92nd meeting against rival Mansfield, 30-17.

The first quarter was marred by penalties but the highlight of the quarter was a blocked punt by the Warriors that was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by senior captain Brandon Mazenkus-O’Grady. It was Mazenkus-O’Grady’s fourth punt block for a touchdown this season according Warriors Coach Jack Martinelli. 

The Warriors led 7-0 after the first quarter but Mansfield would get their offense in gear. The Hornets would get on the board after a long drive stalled on a 30 yard field by kicker James Warren. Mansfield would put together their best drive of the day midway through the second. A drive that was capped off by a 4 yard Brian Butler touchdown run to make it 10-7 Hornets at the half. 

The Hornets would pick up right where they left off to start the third quarter thanks to senior Anthony Saraiva who stripped Foxboro running back Ben Angellini. The loose ball was picked up by fellow senior Wyatt Bolduc and returned it for a Mansfield touchdown. The Hornets would take a 17-7 lead. 

Foxboro was not accustomed to trailing so Warriors Head Coach Jack Martinelli wanted to see how his team would respond. 

“We haven’t really trailed in a game other than King Philip in Week 6,” Martinelli said. “This was another chance for these kids to see that you can’t bury yourself when you get down.”

Mansfield seemed to be in control but after going three and out midway through the third, Foxboro would get within three when junior quarterback Mike Marcucella would connect on a 32 yard touchdown pass to fellow junior Nolan Gordon to make it 17-14. 

After forcing a Mansfield three and out, Foxboro would strike again on their next possession when Marcucella and Gordon would connect again, this time on an 87 yard touchdown pass to give Foxboro the lead, 21-17.

Mansfield would go three and out again but this time Hornets coach Mike Redding did want to risk another blocked punt in his own end so he took a safety to make it 23-17.

Foxboro would administer the final blow however late in the fourth quarter. After stopping Mansfield on a 4th and 5 Mazenkas-O’Grady would put the game away with a 73 yard touchdown run to make 30-17 Warriors. 

Mazenkas-O’Grady talked about the score that put the game on ice. 

“I wasn’t planning to score, obviously,” Mazenkas-O’Grady said. “I just saw things open up and I ran as fast as I could. Once I got the edge and I was ahead of people, I just kept running.”

In the end, Martinelli was proud of the way his team persevered and responded to adversity.

“If the game is really what life is all about, they’ve proven to me that no matter what obstacle is in their way, they are pretty resilient,” Martinelli said. “This is just a game, but it has so much relevance to the rest of their lives. It’s incredible.”

The Warriors will face Hanover next Friday night in the Division 5 Super Bowl.