GLOUCESTER – The Gloucester Fishermen (3-0) squeezed by the Somerville Highlanders (1-2) at Newell Stadium, using a combination of sustained drives along with quick strikes. Senior quarterback Matt Smith (5 rushes, 61 yards) led the Fishermen with touchdown runs of 16 yards and 7 yards to finish off long drives (12 plays,45 yards and 18 plays, 80 yards respectively), with his second score coming on 4th down to give Gloucester a 20-14 lead.
A key point in the game came after Somerville took a 14-6 lead with 29 seconds left in the first half following a 12-yard quarterback sweep by senior quarterback Elijah Jeffreys. After the ensuing kickoff was returned by Jan Pena-Ortiz (8 carries, 114 yards) to the Fishermen 35, he took a handoff on the next play 65 yards to the endzone, and then picked up the two-pointer to lift Gloucester into a 14-all tie. That score came just 24 seconds after the Somerville go-ahead TD with 5 seconds left in the half.
After the half, Gloucester controlled the ball for for the first 8:20 of the third on one possession: 18 play/80 yards, and a Smith TD.
The final score of the night for Gloucester came with 8:39 left in the game as junior Ryan Argentino ripped off a 56 yarder for a score to give Gloucester a 28-14 lead. Moise Nazaire scored on a 25 yard pass from Jeffreys to cut the lead to 28-21, but Somerville could get no closer.
The opening Somerville score was a 15 yard run by Henry Augustin in the second quarter.
Smith was also a standout on defense for Gloucester.
Gloucester hosts Lynn Classical next Friday night, and Somerville travels to Medford.
Game broadcast: Somerville at Gloucester
