Football Preview: Clinton Gaels vs. West Boylston/Tahanto Lions
Clinton is 0-6 against West Boylston/Tahanto since September of 2016 but things could change on Friday. The Clinton Gaels will host the West Boylston/Tahanto Lions at 7:00 p.m. Both are sauntering into the matchup backed by comfortable wins in their prior games.
Clinton took a loss when they played away from home last Friday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Friday. They took their match at home with ease, bagging a 42-6 victory over Assabet Valley RVT. The Gaels' offense checked out after the first half but had enough points banked to take the game anyway.
Gavin Naughton had an outrageously good game as he rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown. Those 85 rushing yards gave him a new career-high.
Clinton didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. In fact, those interceptions all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Marcelo Pereira.
Meanwhile, West Boylston/Tahanto entered their tilt with Leicester on Friday with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They breezed by the Wolverines at home to the tune of 43-6. The Lions might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three matchups by 31 points or more this season.
West Boylston/Tahanto's success was spearheaded by the efforts of Dominic Renzoni, who gained 180 total yards and two touchdowns, and Connor Rice, who rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown. Renzoni was no stranger to the big play, lighting up the secondary with a catch that went for 59 yards.
Perhaps unsurprisingly given the score, West Boylston/Tahanto was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 252 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 181 rushing yards in four consecutive contests.
The win got Clinton back to even at 2-2. As for West Boylston/Tahanto, they pushed their record up to 3-1 with the victory, which was their ninth straight at home dating back to last season.
Friday's game might be decided in the on the ground. Clinton has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 160.8 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like West Boylston/Tahanto struggles in that department as they've been averaging 281.2. It's looking like Friday's match might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Clinton took a serious blow against West Boylston/Tahanto in their previous meeting back in October of 2023, falling 53-19. Will Clinton have more luck at home instead of on the road? Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other football content.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
