GEORGETOWN — For a squad that has had a difficult time sustaining the same level of performance in the second half of games as they have in the first stanza, the Ipswich High football team was finally able to turn the tides in its favor Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers broke open a tight game with two fourth-quarter touchdowns to win their second game of the season, a 26-6 victory over host Georgetown.
"The goal (Saturday) was to play two complete halves, and, for the most part, we were able to do that, especially in the second half," said Ipswich head coach Ted Flaherty, whose team improved to 2-5 on the season and 1-1 in Northeastern Conference/Cape Ann League Tier 4 play.
"Our play in the second half was a huge thing for us. We hooked up with some great pass plays offensively and picked it up on defense."
In recording the win, Ipswich took advantage of two rushing touchdowns, one via the air and another by way of a fumble recovery. Ipswich was also successful on a pair of fake punts by senior Louis Galanis and successfully converted three separate fourth-down attempts on a single drive.
For the second time this season, Ipswich also caused a fumble on their opponent's first play from scrimmage and turned that into a touchdown. And for the second time, it was junior outside linebacker Nate Elnagger causing the fumble, which teammate Pete Moutevelis scooped up and ran 40 yards for a touchdown.
Up by six points (12-6) in the fourth quarter, Ipswich gave itself some breathing room as freshman quarterback Nick Andreas found sophomore Nate Glaster for a 6-yard touchdown pass. Andreas then rushed in the 2-point conversion try himself, giving the visitors a 12-point lead.
Andreas and Glaster hooked up four times on the afternoon, good for 40 yards.
"Nick had a great game. He was very accurate with his passing on a day where we struggled running the ball for a while," Flaherty said. "He hit Nate on some key slants for big plays by throwing early in downs.
"On that touchdown pass, we called a hitch, but the Georgetown defender came up and pressed coverage on (Glaster). So Nate converted the hitch to a fade, Nick read that and threw a perfect pass to Nate with a guy on (Glaster's) hip. That was one of the biggest plays of the game."
Ipswich then salted the game away when Moutevelis barreled into the end zone from a yard out to account for the game's final score.
Fullback Derek Chamberlain (12 carries, 65 yards) had his club's other score, a 25-yard run to give the Tigers a 12-6 halftime head.
Flaherty, whose team plays at Tier 4 rival Manchester Essex this Friday, also lauded the play of junior nose guard Mike Dillon for his outstanding play against the Royals.
