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GRAFTON, Mass. — Nothing. That's what Grafton's defense has allowed over the course of its four wins this year, topped off Friday evening by the 33-0 stomping of Southbridge.
"I guess we're a defensive team," said senior Corey Charpentier, who contributed a sack of quarterback Jason Peck late in the fourth quarter. "This year we came in and lost a few kids off the offensive side, but our defense really gels together. We're all friends off the field, we all get along."
Grafton (4-2) held Southbridge virtually still early in the game, keeping them without a first down until the final minute of the first half.
After close losses to Northbridge last week and Shepherd Hill earlier in the season, the Indians have proven how resilient they are, Charpentier said.
"It's fantastic," he said. "To be able to rebound after the loss we had last week really shows the character of this team."
The Indians had their way with Southbridge (2-4) on the ground, with four different players registering touchdown runs. Senior captain John Coughlin grabbed the first two in the first half, fellow seniors Cody Munoz and Charpentier had one apiece and junior Dillon O'Brien rounded out the scoring with a touchdown run of his own late in the game.
"We're starting to get a little better on offense and starting to pick it up from where we were a couple weeks ago," head coach Mike Ross said. "We've got new personnel in there and it seems to be working."
Charpentier had 60 yards on two carries, his touchdown coming on a 45-yard run after a quick inside handoff right after halftime.
"Our offensive line was doing great all day today. They were coming off the ball hard, pounding them up front," Charpentier said. "Once you get that rhythm going when you know the offensive line can get some yards on each play, that's when you start running up the middle."
The lone negative for the Indians was the yellow handkerchiefs raining down upon them throughout the game. Between multiple offsides, false starts, clipping and personal foul penalties, the Indians quite often found themselves trotting backwards. Ross said it's something his team will have to work on moving forward.
"The penalties, we've got to obviously cut down a little bit," Ross said.
SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
G - John Coughlin 9 run (Brian Zimmer kick), 5:16
Second Quarter
G - Coughlin 6 run (run failed), 6:47
G - Cody Munoz 4 run (run failed), 1:16
HALFTIME: Grafton 19, Southbridge 0
Third Quarter
G - Corey Charpentier 45 run (Zimmer kick), 7:10
Fourth Quarter
G - Dillon O'Brien 3 run (Zimmer kick), 7:49
FINAL: Grafton 33, Southbridge 0
Records: G — 4-2; S — 2-4
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