WEYMOUTH – Even with an early hole, the Needham rushing attack took it right to a tough Weymouth squad on the road Friday night.
The Rockets rolled off the final 33 points in a huge 33-7 Bay State Conference victory over the Wildcats thanks in large part to rushing for 303 yards.
“We have a stellar offensive line that has a ton of experience,” said Needham coach Doug Kopsco about the ability to get the run going. “We have a ton of returning starters and two backs that are talented and more importantly than that they are super tough.”
Weymouth (5-2) started strong with a 68-yard TD pass from senior captain Tyler Nordstrom to senior captain Dante Tordiglione for a 7-0 advantage for the Wildcats a little over a minute in.
From there, Needham (6-1) took over with a strong ground attack.
After a stalled first drive, the Rockets stopped a fourth down attempt for the Wildcats from their own 35. A six-play 65-yard drive was capped by a sneak for junior Griffin Carr to knot the score 7-7 with 11:50 to go in the second.
“We knew (Weymouth) was going to be a tough team,” Kopsco said. “(The stop on fourth down) was a huge momentum swing. I love our defense and love our energy.”
Weymouth’s offense followed with a three and out before Needham took its first lead on a five-yard run for senior captain Tate Hoffmeister (23 carries, 135 yards). The drive ate up 4:30 off the clock after the Rockets went 68 yards on eight plays to go up 14-7.
Needham nearly got another score before the half, but Weymouth senior Brendan Farrow kept it a 14-7 deficit at the break.
In the second half, sophomore Aidan Williams broke off two third-quarter touchdown runs with the first from 37 yards and another from 26 yards out to make it a 26-7 contest after three.
“Aidan (Williams) is a great player,” said Hoffmeister about the role player. “I love to have him on this team.”
Junior Stephen Rocamboli added a 14-yard rushing score to finish off the scoring for the Rockets.
On the defensive side, senior Jake Reiser got a sack and junior Joe Kajunski had an interception for Needham.
Next week, the Rockets will host Framingham Friday at 6:30 p.m. Weymouth will host Wellesley at 7 p.m.
