Division 5 Mites Remain Unbeaten at 7-0-1 Headed to Playoffs

The Barnstable Silver Bullets Division 5 Mites wrapped up their first-ever undefeated regular season Saturday night at Battis Field in Middleboro, defeating Middleboro, 22-14. The Silver Bullets stand at 7-0-1 heading into the postseason and will host the playoffs this Saturday night at W. Leo Shields Memorial Field at 5:00 p.m.
      Conor Walsh, Darien Kaski and Hayden Murphy scored touchdowns for the Bullets, with Marcus Cunningham and Murphy each collecting two-point conversions.
      Kaski was the leading rusher on the day for the Silver Bullets, picking up 55 yards on three carries. Cunningham had 27 yards rushing on three carries, followed by Matty Lambert (5 carries/15 yards), Kraig Diggs (3 carries/6 yards) and Kevin Huska (21 yards on seven carries) to finish things off nicely for the Red and White.

      Cunningham led all tacklers on defense, finishing the day with four total. Linebacker Kristian Luchichinsky played exceptionally well, winding up with 2.5 tackles. Other solid defensive efforts came from cornerback Justus Chaffee who had two outstanding tackles on attempts to run outside. Safety Dan Skala picked up a beautiful fumble recovery with Middleboro knocking on Barnstable's door early in the second half.
      Others who chipped in on defense included defensive ends Rob Stuart (1 tackle/2 fumble recoveries) and Hayden Murphy (1.5 tackles), Conor Walsh (2 tackles), Clyde Perry (2 tackles/fumble recovery), Riley Ashe (1 tackle), Kevin Huska (1 tackle), Timmy Ebert (1 tackle) and Johnny Hardy (1 tackle), Tim Omerzu (1 tackle).
      Another rock solid performance was turned in by noseguard Lee Hickey who caused four fumbles on the day and picked up one nice tackle, to boot.
The Play by Play
On the heels of a fantastic kick-off by Hayden Murphy, the Silver Bullets' defense went to work quickly. Outside linebacker Conor Walsh led things off with the first tackle at the line of scrimmage, followed by a great combo hit by Walsh and fellow outside linebacker Marcus Cunningham. Noseguard Lee Hickey then created pure havoc with the Middleboro center and quarterback, causing two consecutive fumbles to turn the ball over to Barnstable after four plays deep in Middleboro territory.
      Walsh took the first carry, jolting eight yards to bring up 2nd and 8 and two plays later went into the end zone to make it 6-0. Murphy took the ball himself on the two-point PAT attempt and Barnstable held a quick lead, 8-0, due to exceptional blocking by the likes of Noah Johnson, Josh Bestford and Matt Tracy.
      Following another fine kickoff by Murphy, the defense went to work once more, with Middleboro attempting this time to go to Cunningham's side. Cunningham thanked the Middleboro ball carrier with a nice tackle to bring up 2nd and 3. Murphy and Cunningham combined for the hit on the ensuing play, but the hard knock the Middleboro runner took was not enough to stop the first down. Enter Hickey and defensive end Rob Stuart.
      On first and 10, Hickey gave the Middleboro center a good jolt, causing the quarterback to cough up the ball, directly into the hands of an awaiting Stuart.
      Seeing a huge opportunity, tailback Darien Kaski took the first hand-off and bolted 40 yards into the end zone to make it 14-0, Barnstable. Cunningham got the nod on the two-point PAT and he produced, making it 16-0, Barnstable.
      Following yet another great kick by Murphy, the speedy kicker raced downfield and made a tremendous, open-field solo tackle on the ball carrier.
      The white defense was called into service and outside linebacker Kristian Luchichinsky made the first hit to bring up 2nd and 4. On the ensuing play, Middleboro got just outside the Silver Bullet cornerback, making it 16-6. The white defense kept its pride, though, with thanks to Timmy Ebert and Tim Omerzu and the two-point PAT was no good.
      Barnstable then went to work on offense once again, this time giving tailback Matty Lambert the nod. Lambert came through, picking up gains of four and two-yard gains, respectively, before giving way to Walsh who picked up one and Kaski who picked up the first down on 4th and 3.
Given a reprieve with Kaski's first down jaunt, Barnstable proceeded to chew up the clock with Murphy at the helm. Murphy handed off to Matty Lambert who gained eight yards to bring up 2nd and 2. Kevin Huska then picked up the first down with a four-yard run.
      Cunningham followed nicely with an eight-yard run to make it 2nd and 2 to go once more, but a Barnstable penalty negated a Murphy score on the ensuing play. Cunningham took it again, this time going 15 yards, followed by an 11-yard run by Kaski and then a four-yard run by Cunningham. On a broken play that saw the ball loose on the turf, Murphy picked the ball up and looked for an opening, found it, and headed straight for paydirt, making it 22-6, Silver Bullets. The two-point PAT failed and the first half ended.
      On the opening kickoff of the second half, Middleboro attempted an onside kick, but Luchichinsky pounced on it to give Barnstable good field position at the 50-yard line.
Quarterback Kraig Diggs took the helm but runs by Greg Harris, Kevin Huska and Diggs himself could not provide the first down.
      Omerzu and cornerback Justus Chaffee made the first three tackles for the Silver Bullet defense, with Luchichinsky and middle linebacker Johnny Hardy combining to cause a fumble. Safety Danny Skala recovered it and the Barnstable offense was back in business.
      Harris, Max Lambert, Nicky Passalugo and quarterback Diggs all attempted to break through a tough Middleboro defense, but to no avail. Middleboro took over possession, in good position to strike.
Hardy and defensive tackle Timmy Ebert combined on the first hit, followed by a great backfield tackle by defensive tackle Riley Ashe and a breakaway-run-saving tackle by cornerback Kevin Huska, his first solo tackle of the season.
      Unfortunately, the defense's hard work went for naught as the Middleboro ball carrier broke free outside and went all the way for the touchdown. The two-point conversion was good, and Barnstable's lead was slimmed to 22-14.
      On the kickoff return, Barnstable fumbled and Middleboro was smelling blood.
      Stuart made the first hit, and then Hickey though briefly about getting the ball back. Middleboro's lucky break on the kickoff was brief because Hickey caused his fourth fumble of the day on 2nd and 6, with "Big" Clyde Perry scooping it up and giving his boys the ball back.
From here on out, Barnstable maintained ball control, with Matty Lambert, Huska and Murphy doing the lion's share of the work until the fourth quarter clock had expired.
      Barnstable hosts the first round of the 2004 Old Colony Youth Football League Division 5 playoffs on Saturday, Nov. 6, at W. Leo Shields Field at 5:00 p.m.