MILTON, Mass. – Curry dropped its New England Football Conference (NEFC) opener against visiting Endicott, 42-27, as Gulls' junior Drew Frenette (New Bedford, Mass.) threw for four touchdowns Friday night in Milton. Endicott improved to 2-2 on the season and 1-0 in the conference, while the Colonels fell to 0-3 overall and 0-1 in league play.
The Gulls put the only points of the first period on the board with 3:17 on the clock after Frenette tossed a 20-yard TD pass to junior Nate Lewis (Acushnet, Mass.) to take a 7-0 lead. Curry knotted the game at 7-7 with a nine-yard touchdown connection between senior Kevin Fruwirth (Agawam, Mass.) and classmate Skubie Mageza (Revere, Mass.).
Endicott responded on the following drive with a nine-play, 60-yard push capped off with a 6-yard scoring strike from Frenette to Lewis with 4:51 remaining in the second frame. Frenette later threw his third touchdown pass of the game to senior Greg Dellorco (Franklin, Mass.) to conclude the first half scoring. The Gulls entered the break with a 21-7 edge.
The Colonels scored on their first possession of the second half with a 13-play, 85-yard drive. The drive was capped off with 7:58 left in the third frame after Fruwirth tossed a 20-yard scoring pass to Mageza. Endicott extended its lead on the ensuing drive after Frenette tossed a 75-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Jamison Craft (Phillipston, Mass.).
In the fourth quarter, the Gulls added two more touchdowns early. Sophomore Spencer Walsh (Malden, Mass.) scored both touchdowns with a 30-yard rush and 51-yard dash, respectively. With 3:36 remaining in regulation, Curry trimmed the deficit to 22 (42-20) after junior Jordan Shairs (Gloucester, Mass.) scored with a two-yard push. With six seconds left on the clock, the Colonels capped off the scoring with a six-yard scramble by freshman quarterback Sean Conroy (Derry, N.H.).
Curry dominated in time of possession (34:52-25:08) and first downs (27-19), while Endicott held an edge in total offensive yards (485-401).
Frenette went 20-for-29 with 308 yards and four TDs. Walsh recorded a game-high 149 rushing yards on 19 attempts, while Lewis reeled in seven receptions for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Fruwirth went 33-for-45 with 272 yards , with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Mageza pulled in eight receptions for 70 yards and two TDs.
Senior Jason Silva (Palatine, Ill.) and junior Jake Cox (Wrentham, Mass.) led the Gulls with 10 total tackles apiece. Cox also had an interception. The Colonels defense was led by freshman Jean Charles (Providence, R.I.) with eight total tackles (7 solo) and two tackles for loss (-10 yards). Sophomore Curtis Davila (Yorba Linda, Calif.) chipped in with seven solo tackles.
Both teams return to NEFC action next Saturday, as Curry visits M.I.T. for a 1:00 p.m. contest, while Endicott hosts Maine Maritime at 12:00 p.m.
