Mansfield Football Wins in Overtime

The Mansfield football team defeated the Barnstable Red Raiders on Friday 34-33 in overtime.

Mansfield seemed to have the game in the back pocket for the first three quarters, keeping a healthy lead of 17-points over Barnstable for that time.

Mansfield head coach Mike Redding said that he did not want to risk injuries in this game by keeping kids in too long and pushing too far. He said he wanted to keep the players fresh to keep injuries to a minimum for the upcoming Franklin and North Attleboro games.

"And it backfired on us," he said. "But I'd do the same thing again; our emphasis is to win the league and get to the playoffs."

Mansfield struck first during the game, getting a six-point touchdown from a two-yard run from Greg Donahue. The extra point was tipped by Barnstable defender and the score was 6-0.

Mansfield's defense was able to keep Barnstable at bay during the second quarter, only letting them score a field goal.

Mansfield scored again with an unlikely fourth down touchdown pass from senior captain George Busharis to Michael Blackman.  Mansfield scored again later with a pass to Zack Schafer and made the conversion to bring their lead to a comfortable 20-3.

Barnstable was able to put in another touchdown in the third quarter, but so was Mansfield, making the score 27-10. In the fourth quarter, it all changed.

"Our defense had spent the fourth quarter on the field," Redding said. "Just an unbelievable effort by Barnstable."

Barnstable scored enough in the last five minutes of the game, gaining possession through onside kicks, to tie the game at 27 with only 30 seconds left. Mansfield was unable to run it back in time, and the game had to go into overtime procedure.

Barnstable scored on the first round, but did not make the conversion they attempted and only scored the touchdown. Mansfield scored seven, making the extra point and winning the game.

Mansfield (7-1) will be playing Franklin next week away.