Copyright The Boston Globe
BARNSTABLE — Barnstable locked up a Southeast Conference championship Thursday night with a 28-18 home win over Bridgewater-Raynham. But for the Redhawks (7-1), the job’s not finished. “Usually when a team is coming off a league championship win and 7-1 season, you would see guys run around, and dance, and celebrate,” said Barnstable coach Ross Jatkola. “[The Barnstable players] just take a knee and take their hats off. And, we’re right back to business.” The Redhawks jumped out to a 22-6 first-quarter lead before the rain and wind picked up in a game that was never in doubt. On the first possession of the game, the Redhawks covered 68 yards in three plays, striking first on senior Hagen Dias’s 5-yard touchdown run following classmate Jayson Dyer’s 58-yard scamper. Advertisement Two plays later, Barnstable senior end Oscar Johnson intercepted a pass, setting the Redhawks up at the Trojans’ 23. The Redhawks capitalized on the short field. Dyer scored from 5 yards out to make 14-0 only seven plays into the game. After B-R quarterback Jack Lambert found Caiden Blake (11 catches, 186 yards) for a 33-yard touchdown pass, Dias picked up 38 yards on the ensuing kick return. The Redhawks again capitalized on their field position, scoring two plays later with a 7-yard Dyer rush after Kyle Coffin connected with Trevaugn Bramwell for a 20-yard gain to make it 22-6. Dyer finished with 171 rushing yards and two scores. “It’s just the mentality of moving on to the next play,” said Jatkola. “When they had a big play, we had to come back and win the next one.” Advertisement Later in the half, Dias intercepted a pass and returned it 47 yards. “I just have to stay locked in. I’m a key player and I love this team,” said Dias who also kicks extra points and punts for the Redhawks. B-R scored again before the half and both teams exchanged touchdowns in the second half, when weather became a major factor. Bridgewater-Raynham was able to get within 22-18 when Breydan Lewis plunged in for a 4-yard score, his second TD of the night. Barnstable responded a few series later when Coffin connected with Johnson on a 40-yard scoring strike. Johnson made a great adjustment to catch the ball between two Trojan defenders. “We saw the way the corners were positioned,” said Johnson. “We saw they had a single high safety and [Coffin] just gave me the look.” Barnstable’s defense had five interceptions to hold the Trojans under 20 points despite more than 300 total yards. In total, there were eight turnovers. MIAA football seeding will be official Sunday afternoon. Both teams are in position to host two playoff games. “This senior class is special,” said Jatkola. “It’s the whole group them. Barnstable football means something to them.”
