SCITUATE- Out of state games have a certain level of uncertainty to them. You do not have a history or familiarity with your opponent and if you do not get off to a good start, you could find yourselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

Scituate almost learned that lesson on Friday night in a hard fought 33-29 win over a good Westerly team. A team that features one of the top signal callers in New England in junior quarterback Landon Husereau.

The Sailors opened the scoring when senior running back Grayson Foley returned the opening kickoff for an 86 yard touchdown. Griffin McGirr’s extra point was blocked making 6-0 Sailors right out of the gate.

On the ensuing kickoff Jake Caron matches Foley’s return with an 86 yard kickoff of his own. Westerly took the lead 7-6 after the successful extra point.

The Bulldogs would then extend their lead to 13-6 after forcing the Sailors to punt. Westerly’s Caleb Williams got a hand on the punt, blocked it and returned it for a touchdown. However, it didn’t take Scituate long to respond as Foley took a swing pass 82 yards for a touchdown. McGirr added the extra point to tie the game kick at 13-13.

Westerly would respond with an 11-play drive that saw Husereau connect with Damiel Cumming for a 9 yard TD strike.  However, Scituate would match the score when senior quarterback Jonny Donovan (18/25 278 Yards 2 TDs 278 yards) hit Tyler Stelljes for a 41-yard touchdown strike. McGirr’s point after made it 20-19 Westerly at the half.

Westerly got the ball to start the second half and was forced to punt. Scituate senior Chris DiMeo blocked the Bulldogs punt to set up a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Foley to make the score 26-20 after the McGirr extra point.  

“We made too mistakes” said Scituate Head Coach Herb Devine. “Blocked punt, kickoff return. They’re a good team. I was impressed with their skill group and they were good up front.”

Westerly was denied on downs on the ensuing possession and Scituate took control of the ball.  However, it would be a short drive as the Sailors center would snap the ball over Donovan’s head, leading to a Westerly safety. It cut Scituate’s lead to 26-22.  Westerly would then take the ensuing drive and march down the field where Husereau would find Caleb Williams for a 14 yard touchdown pass to take the lead 29-26 with 8:44 to play.

Scituate then took the ball and drove down the field thanks to Donovan who was 5 of 6 for 65 yards on the drive. Foley capped off the drive with a 19 yard rush and a McGirr PAT made it 33-29 with just over three minutes to play.

Devine said the Bulldogs were able to play keep away and that is a big reason why Scituate had a tough time getting into rhythm.

“They won the battle of time of possession. We’re able to get stops. They did a good job of keeping our offense off the field. but Jonny and Grayson were still able to make plays and we were able to get it done.”

Westerly had one last shot late in the fourth quarter but an interception by Scituate senior James Trobly sealed the win for the Sailors.