In the 136th meeting between the two sides, Boston Latin defeated Boston English, 19-6, at Harvard Stadium. With the win, Latin improves to 83-40-13 and halts a two-year losing skid in the nation’s longest continuous football rivalry.
Quarterback August Groh rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. Running back Eric Power added 42 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown and fumble recovery touchdown.
“It was a great team effort. I had to run out of the pocket a few times and my guys knew scramble drill. We just gave it our all. These last two years have been rough on us,” said Groh.
Latin started the contest with a rush from Power who lost a fumble, allowing English to take over at the Latin 22. The Latin defense held firm and forced an English turnover on downs. On the ensuing drive, Power fumbled again on their opening play, giving English another chance at a score from the Latin 19. Once again, the Latin defense refused to budge and Power made up for earlier mistakes, recovering an English fumble and returning it 85 yards for the game’s first score.
“The ball popped up. It was literally slow motion. I just got it and kept going,” said Power, “I came back strong, it brought my energy back and everybody’s energy back.”
After forcing English to punt, Latin opened the second quarter with a nine-play touchdown drive. Groh connected with Hayden Cooper Dupont on a 28-yard pass, followed by an 11-yard Power run and 19-yard Groh run. Power finished the drive with a one-yard run for the score, putting Latin up 13-0.
Latin’s offense looked to add to their lead in the third quarter. Starting at their own four, Groh rushed for 27 yards and found Charlie Hauck later on a 34-yard pass. A botched snap and hands to the face penalty stalled the drive, however, allowing English to start from their own 21.
From there, running back Jermiah Ancrum took over, rushing for 48 yards on four carries. After another Latin penalty and Marcus Gangemi rush, Kamren DePeiza punched in a four-yard run to give English their first touchdown of the day. The drive ended the third quarter and cut the lead to 13-6.
On the ensuing drive, Groh led Latin down the field once more. The quarterback found Ariel Arias for an 18-yard pass and broke off a 17 and 15-yard rush. Groh finished the drive with a one-yard run on 3rd and goal to put the Latin lead back up 19-6. English could not respond and a Preston Musoke sack clinched a Latin Thanksgiving day victory