The K&J Sports Show | Episode 7 | South Shore League Sullivan race
Kevin Perrington-Turner and Jason Snow each break down the Sullivan League race and who they believe will come out on top.
NEW BEDFORD — Sitting at 1-5, the Brockton High football team needed a win on Saturday to keep hope of earning a tournament spot alive.
A relentless downpour, slippery grass field and young, frisky New Bedford roster stood in the Boxers’ way entering play but Luke Turco delivered big, with grass stains muddying his once-white No. 21 jersey.
The junior picked off two interceptions, including the game-clincher with nine seconds left, and rushed 13 times for 72 yards as Brockton escaped with a 12-6 win over the Whalers on the road.
“He’s a great player,” head coach Jermaine Wiggins said. “The kid, in my opinion, I think he’s a Division 1 player. One day, we’re going to push him to be at that next level. He’s one of our leaders.”
Brockton (2-5) picked up the go-ahead score at the end of the third quarter, as freshman quarterback Jayden Campbell rolled right on play-action and tossed a swing pass to senior slot receiver Cam Monteiro who took it 33 yards up the far sideline and into the end zone with three seconds left in the frame. The 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, and the Boxers led 12-6 entering the fourth.
On the ensuing drive, junior Nazir Blue-Gomes came up with a tackle for loss to force a New Bedford (2-5) turnover on downs, stunting a 13-play drive that lasted nearly seven minutes and spanned deep into Brockton territory with a chance to tie or take the lead.
“Throw the weather conditions into it, it’s one of those games about ball security and playing great defense,” said Wiggins. “We were able to take advantage of some plays. We hung in the game and we kept our composure.”
Turco, Campbell and senior running back Walter Rodrigues (16 carries, 48 yards) kept the clock running down the stretch. Campbell scored a two-yard TD on the opening drive to give Brockton a 6-0 lead at the 9:04 mark of the first quarter.
More: From SoCal soccer to Brockton football: Cardinal Spellman lineman becomes unsung hero
“(Ball security) was the biggest message. We knew it was going to rain, but we didn’t know it was going to downpour the whole game,” Wiggins said with a chuckle. “Our running backs, our quarterback, our receivers when they caught the football, they did an amazing job with (ball security). When you have games like this, you have to focus with the football.”
Brockton, ranked No. 23 in the MIAA’s latest power rankings, in the conversation for a spot in the tournament with a matchup with Durfee (1-6) at Marciano Stadium on Saturday at noon next up.
“We kind of know what the picture is,” Wiggins said of playoff implications. “Every week is a playoff game for us. That’s the way we’re looking at it. We’ve gotta do what we’ve gotta do to make sure that when (tournament) time comes, we’ll have an opportunity. You can’t have that unless you’re able to come out with wins.”
