Jack Reece Sets the Tone for Duxbury Football Early in Win over Hingham

DUXBURY — Led by standout Jack Rees, Duxbury’s football players defeated Patriot League rival Hingham en route to a 31-14 triumph on Friday.

Reece, who is headed to Trinity College, had 18 carries for 159 yards and three scores on offense and added an interception and a sack on defense. The No. 9 Dragons (7-1) jumped out to a 14-0 lead through the 1, extended it to 24-6 at halftime and rocketed into the Division 4 tournament from there.

“This was the first game where I was really happy about our start,” Reece said. “I thought we came out and scored on them.”

Jake Warholak and JT Reale scored two goals for the Harbormen (5-3), but Duxbury left no doubt about the Patriot League-Keenan Division triumph.

The Dragons jumped out to a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard gain from Rees with 6:52 left in the first quarter. Reece added a 14-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the quarter, skillfully weaving past several defenders.

“Jack is motivated every day, whether he comes to games, practices, movies,” Doxbury coach Matt Landolfi said. “He works harder than anyone I’ve ever seen. “He’s a role model for the young guys coming up.”

Hingham responded with a 39-yard pass from Jake Warholak to Real, who made a last-second adjustment and caught the ball on the left sideline. Duxbury junior Ian McNeil blocked the extra point.

The Dragons continued to dominate the line of scrimmage as Reece ran behind John Rovegno and James Scanlon for 3 yards. Trevor Jones kicked a field goal with 18 seconds left and Duxbury led at halftime.

Jones found McNeil for a 20-yard strike to make it 31-6 late in the third. Reale had a 6-yard touchdown run early in the fourth and Cavan Nicholas added a two-point reception, but the Harbormen ran out of time.

Duxbury’s defense, with Henry Migliaccio, Rees, Jones and Rovegno as the catalysts, led another strong showing. Hingham coach TJ Byrne said his team was one-dimensional and had trouble establishing a presence on the field, which he said can’t happen against a defense of this caliber.

“Everybody always talks about offense, offense, offense, but Duxbury’s defense has been solid year in and year out,” Byrne said. “It’s the defense that keeps this team going.”

Trevor Hass can be reached at [email protected].