WELLS – Wells Coach Tim Roche has been waiting for a game like this from running back Drew Shelley.
“For three weeks,” said Roche.
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Roche said Shelley is the type of player who starts slowly but builds momentum.
That was the case on a rainy Friday night. Shelley didn’t score the first touchdown but had the last four as Wells rolled to a 36-6 win over previously unbeaten Marshwood in a Western Class B football game.
Shelley scored on back-to-back 59- and 56-yard runs in the second quarter, and finished with 198 yards and four touchdowns on 14 carries.
Of Wells’ starting backfield, Shelley has the most experience. He alternated at running back last year with Doug McLean.
“We know Drew has the talent,” said Roche. “I think he scored in the state championship game last year.”
The Warriors graduated several talented players last year, including fullback-linebacker Louie DiTomasso, the Maine Gatorade player of the year, and quarterback Paul McDonough.
Players like running back Dante Fanning, quarterback Gavin Snapp and to a lesser degree, Shelley, have had to wait their turn. Through five games, they’re making the most of their opportunities.
Going against last year’s first team in practice and for some, like Fanning, seeing action on special teams, prepared them for this season.
Wells (4-1) is one of the teams in a logjam at the top of the league.
“I said from the beginning of the season that it was going to be a tight league. That’s what makes it fun,” said Roche.
With Marshwood (4-1) coming to town with an undefeated record, that’s all the motivation Shelley and his teammates needed.
“No one thought we would be any good this season because of the players we graduated from last season,” said Shelley.
“The line did a great job tonight. They came out to play and we did it.”
Wells took the opening kickoff and needed only four plays to score.
A 17-yard run by Shelley on the third play of the game brought the ball across midfield. On first down, Jacob Moody swept around right end for a 45-yard scoring run.
Dylan Stevens recovered a Hawks fumble at the 11. Marshwood buckled down to stop three running plays and on fourth down, Joey Spinelli kicked a 26-yard field goal to make it 10-0.
The Hawks got their only score on a 9-yard run by Dan Lizotte early in the second quarter. After that it was all Shelley and the Warriors’ defense.
Shelley scored on a 59-yard run. He went around the left end and made a nice cutback at the 20. The next time he touched the ball, he went 56 yards for his second touchdown A Snapp to Spinelli conversion pass made it 24-6. With 30 seconds left in the half, Shelley scored his third touchdown on a 9-yard run.
His final score, a 20-yard run, came early in the third quarter.
Asked what made the offense click, Roche said: “It’s the wing-T. If the defense gears to stop one thing, and Marshwood knows this, there’s something else.”
That something else was Shelley on the sweep.
“We hit the sweep with Drew and Jacob Moody,” said Roche.
Fanning, who has been the Warriors’ top rusher for the first half of the season, was held in check by the Hawks.
“Dante didn’t have a great game offensively but he was awesome at linebacker. Drew also was strong at linebacker while Dylan Stevens was also outstanding on defense,” said Roche.
Snapp completed his only pass — a 29-yarder to Spinelli that set up Shelley’s touchdown just before halftime.
“Gavin throws one pass and completes it,” said Roche. “He does that every game. Our line played physical and we were quick to the ball on defense.”
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:
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