Playing on a Friday before a long weekend can usually cause problems with focus, but that was not the case this year leading into the Groton game as the MX 11 jumped off to an early 20 -0 lead.  The passing game would prove the catalyst for the offense the entire afternoon.  MX opened the scoring in the first quarter on touchdown passes from quarterback Cole Cleary '20 of 67 yards to wide receiver Cedrick Paradis '20 and 38 yards to wide receiver Cal Fries '20. Liam Connor '22 added the two PATs for a 14-0. 

In the second quarter, as the defense continued to control Groton's running attack, MX added another TD pass of 52 yards from Cleary to tight end Sahnai Swain-Price '21.  Groton would cut into the MX lead just before intermission by scoring a touchdown after a costly pass interference penalty to close the first half scoring at 20-7.  The momentum Groton gained at the end of the first half seemed to carry over early in the second half as Groton scored twice in the third quarter to take the lead 22-20. MX answered quickly as the final quarter started with another pass connection from Cleary, this time to split end Cole Nye '20 for a 48-yard touchdown.  MX was successful on the 2 point try on a pass from Cleary to Paradis to reclaim the lead at 28-22.  MX was forced to take a safety on its next offensive possession, as another penalty left the punt team on the 1-yard line.  Groton would get favorable field position on the ensuing kickoff, eventually scoring on a short pass to regain the lead 31-28 with 1:30 left on the clock.  The coaching staff couldn't be prouder of the way the MX 11 responded to this challenge.  Under the direction of quarterback Cole Cleary and the superb blocking of the offensive line, the offense methodically marched down the field, with all 4 of our receivers making clutch catches on this drive.  The final scoring play of the drive came with 18 seconds left in the game on a 14 yard TD strike from Cleary to Swain-Price to recapture the lead at 34-31. 

Groton got a big break on the kickoff when our squib kick hit one of their front row players to give them the ball on their 48-yard line.  Two pass plays got them to the MX 40-yard line and from there Groton threw a Hail Mary that was caught in the endzone for the game winner for Groton.  This was a tough, tough break for anyone at the game to comprehend. There is never a satisfactory answer anyone can give as to why these things happen but with the Brooks game coming up in a week, the team will have to put this out of their mind until after the season is over.  The MX 11 will travel to Brooks this Saturday for a 3:00 pm start.