NORTHBOROUGH – Thanksgiving Day football is always meaningful. And this year, Algonquin had more to play for.
In September, Richard J. “Dick” Walsh – an Algonquin legend – died at 92. He started coaching the football team in 1957, when Algonquin was still Northborough High School, and over the next 23 years, he won a school-record 134 games, including leading the team to an undefeated 10-0 season and Super Bowl championship in 1973.
The man became immortalized in Algonquin football culture: The school’s field is named after him, he’ll officially be inducted into Algonquin’s Hall of Fame tomorrow, and the Thanksgiving Day trophy – which Algonquin and Westborough compete for every Turkey Day – is named for him and Westborough legend Joseph Mewhiney.
It was Algonquin that held that trophy high Thursday morning. In the pouring rain, the Titans defeated the Westborough Rangers to the tune of 22-20, earning bragging rights until the next rivalry contest. Walsh’s sons – Michael and John – presented the trophy to an excited Algonquin squad.
“It’s the first year on the turf, which I think is a statement. But we lost Coach Walsh – he’s such a strong figure in the community and school – and then we lost another assistant coach [Mel Laughton] a week ago. Doing it for them, it brought a lot of love to the game for us today. They played for them, and it really showed,” said Algonquin Coach Mark Allen.
“I’m proud to bring the trophy home for Coach Walsh,” he added.
After back-to-back-to-back punts to open the action, a 26-yard touchdown catch by Westborough’s Dylan Fischer gave the Rangers an early 7-0 lead. Westborough’s defense made another big play on the next drive, forcing an Algonquin fumble inches from the end zone. But, in a Turkey Day twist of fate, the backed-up Westborough offense was stopped in the backfield, resulting in a safety that gave Algonquin its first two points and possession of the ball.
A rushing touchdown by Algonquin sophomore Harry Manning gave the Titans an 8-7 lead entering halftime.
But that one-point lead wouldn’t withstand a third quarter that was action-packed from the opening seconds. Westborough’s kick-off was a line-drive rocket that bounced off an Algonquin player; the Rangers recovered the ball, and moments later, a 41-yard Brady Chapman touchdown put Westborough ahead 13-8.
And there was more third-quarter craziness: After each of the next two drives ended in interceptions, a pass from Algonquin quarterback Will Mahoney was tipped and picked off by Liam Lajoie, who took the ball into the end zone for a pick-6 that extended Westborough’s lead to 20-8.
Without momentum and forced to give the ball to Westborough once more, Algonquin seemed down for the count.
But Jordan Lopez – one of 14 Algonquin seniors – had something to say about it. Lopez intercepted a Westborough pass and returned the ball deep into their territory. On 4th-and-goal, a play that could’ve ended the Titans’ hopes had it not been successful – Mahoney lobbed a perfect ball to Lopez, who outmuscled the defender make the score 20-16.
“We had two weeks to prepare, so we knew them like the back of our hands.When it’s a passing situation – we just know. I saw it, and I took it,” Lopez told the Community Advocate regarding his interception. “I’m speechless. It was just big play after big play, and they all racked up. It was super important, and I’m happy we won.”
“It was our last game as a group, and at halftime we all talked about it, and we wanted to finish strong,” he added. “I wouldn’t want it any other way – a win as a group in our last game together. It was very important to finish this game strong, win or loss. I did not want to leave anything on the field.”
Algonquin was far from perfect in this contest, but with such determination, they didn’t have to be.
“That’s kind of the definition of us for the year: resilient. We lost games I felt like we were in and should have won, and we won games when we felt like we were out. This displayed the resilience of the team. We played tough, we made mistakes, the weather impacted it – but they’re mentally tough; they finished. I’m proud as heck of them,” said Allen.
After the Titans’ defense made a crucial stop against Westborough on fourth down, Owen Ellsworth scored to put Algonquin ahead 22-20 and give the team the coveted Thanksgiving Day win. In just one short year, Ellsworth and the other seniors have helped transform Algonquin from a 2-9 team to a 5-6 group that competes in the playoffs.
“They’ve left a legacy that the underclassmen can build off of in the offseason. I’m proud of those guys, I love those guys, and they’re leaving the program a lot stronger than they found it,” said Allen.
