Cam Aieta leads the way with four touchdowns
Weymouth football team achieved a historic milestone on Friday night, as they defeated Lincoln-Sudbury 20-0 in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs. It was the first playoff win for the program, which had never qualified for the postseason before this year.
The star of the game was Cam Aieta, a versatile junior who played multiple positions on offense and defense. Aieta scored four touchdowns, two as a receiver, one as a runner, and one as a defender. He also had an interception to stop a Lincoln-Sudbury drive in the fourth quarter.
Aieta finished the game with 122 scrimmage yards, including a 45-yard rushing touchdown that gave Weymouth a 14-0 lead in the third quarter. He also caught two passes from quarterback Matt O’Donnell, both for 25-yard scores, in the first and fourth quarters.
On defense, Aieta played as a safety and a linebacker, and made several tackles to limit Lincoln-Sudbury’s offense. He also returned a fumble 29 yards for a touchdown in the final minute of the game, sealing the victory for Weymouth.
Weymouth defense shuts out Lincoln-Sudbury
Weymouth’s defense was equally impressive, as they held Lincoln-Sudbury to zero points and forced four turnovers. Lincoln-Sudbury, which had averaged 28 points per game in the regular season, was unable to move the ball consistently against Weymouth’s pressure.
Weymouth’s defensive line, led by seniors Ryan McLaughlin and Jake Connolly, dominated the line of scrimmage and sacked Lincoln-Sudbury’s quarterback three times. Weymouth’s secondary, featuring Aieta, senior captain Jack O’Connell, and junior Ryan O’Leary, intercepted two passes and broke up several others.
Weymouth’s defense also came up with big stops on fourth down, denying Lincoln-Sudbury any chance of a comeback. The most crucial stop came in the fourth quarter, when Weymouth stopped Lincoln-Sudbury on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, preserving the shutout.
Weymouth coach praises his team’s effort and resilience
Weymouth coach Kevin Mackin was proud of his team’s performance and praised their effort and resilience. He said that his team had overcome a lot of adversity and challenges throughout the season, and that they had worked hard to improve every week.
Mackin said that his team had a lot of confidence and belief in themselves, and that they had played with passion and intensity. He also credited his coaching staff for preparing the team well and making the right adjustments during the game.
Mackin said that his team had made history by winning their first playoff game, and that they had earned the respect of the entire state. He said that his team was not satisfied with just one win, and that they were looking forward to the next round of the playoffs.
Weymouth will face No. 4 Andover in the quarterfinals on Friday, Nov. 10, at Andover High School. Andover defeated No. 13 Franklin 19-0 in the first round, and has a record of 7-1.
