Westford’s defensive turnaround drives 35-18 win over Quincy

Westford High School’s football team secured a 35-18 victory over Quincy in the Division 2 first round on Friday night, ending a postseason drought that lasted at least eight years. The win positions the seventh-seeded Ghosts to face second-seeded Bridgewater-Raynham in the second round.

The game began with a defensive lapse as Westford allowed a touchdown on its first series. Despite the early pressure and steady rain, the Ghosts tightened their defense for the remainder of the first half. Multiple stops stalled Quincy’s drives, forcing the Presidents into unfavorable field positions and setting up scoring opportunities for the home team.

Quarterback Cam Croom accounted for two of his three touchdowns in the second quarter, providing the momentum shift needed to escape the deficit. A slick playing surface aided the rushing attack, which included contributions from Declan Hevey and Brett Moran. Hevey also capitalized on a third-quarter onside kick recovery to score on an 18-yard run.

Quincy, finishing the season with a 5-4 record, relied on running back Jonas Ala, who scored two touchdowns. The Presidents’ final score came from an 18-yard pass from Bryson Cary to Oliver Bridges, but it proved insufficient to overcome Westford’s second-half surge.

Coach Bruce Rich noted that this was the third time his team had overcome a first-half deficit during the season. Rich attributed the resilience to player commitment, stating that the team’s collective effort is contagious.

Croom expressed relief at reaching the second round, noting the difficulty of winning a first-round game. The victory marks a pivotal step for a program that has struggled to advance in recent postseason play.