ABINGTON — Just a few weeks ago, Abington’s football program sustained a heartbreaking loss in overtime to begin its season. Some schools might fall into a lull after such a moment.
The Green Wave is not your average team, however. On Friday night, they found themselves on the winning end of a heartstopper.
Ryan Solimini (11 carries, 46 yards rushing) and Nazir Paulding (14 carries, 47 yards) combined for four total touchdowns (two apiece), as Abington staved off a miraculous comeback bid for an epic 27-26 victory over Hingham at Memorial Field.
“This is just the start to it,” Paulding saidd. “We’ve got many more to go, honestly. A way longer road to go down.”
After stopping the Harbormen (1-1) on the game’s opening drive with a turnover on downs, the Green Wave (2-1) took over in enemy territory at the 44. Paulding capped a great possession with a seven-yard touchdown rush, as Abington seized a 7-0 lead with 2:14 left in the opening frame.
Later on in the second quarter, the Green Wave capitalized on another short field, as Solimini plowed into the end zone for a one-yard touchdown rush to extend things to 14-0 with 6:52 remaining in the half.
Hingham responded with a clutch drive of its own, as Justin Kosierowski punched in a seven-yard touchdown rush with 1:54 left in the half, slicing the deficit to 14-7.
However, after relying on the ground game for the majority of play, Abington turned to quarterback Jack Reilly. The junior lofted a 64-yard pass downfield, hitting Solimini to set the Green Wave up in the red zone. Paulding scampered home from there for a four-yard touchdown run, providing his team a 21-7 advantage at intermission.
Hingham answered with 4:09 left in the third, as Jake Varholak dumped a screen pass off into the flat for Riley Bello. The junior wideout slipped loose into the secondary, breaking free for a 51-yard touchdown reception as the Harbormen cut things to a 21-13 game.
Then Abington staged a long drive that spanned into the final quarter of play. Solimini found paydirt from two yards out for his second rushing touchdown at a crucial point, as the Green Wave made it a 27-13 contest with 7:25 left in regulation.
“Just want to thank my linemen,” Solimini said. “They really got me in the end zone. Big guys up there, strong, gritty, everything else.”
Yet, Hingham was able to punch back. Varholak scampered loose in the backfield, then lofted a 31-yard touchdown pass to J.T. Reale with 4:11 to go, as the Harbormen brought it to a 27-20 game.
They weren’t done. After leading his team to a miraculous win over Hanover last week on the final play, Varholak still had some last-minute magic left in the tank. After the Harbormen forced a punt, they took over at their own 48-yard line with 1:20 to play. The senior captain fired a 25-yard touchdown strike to Reale with 31 seconds left, as Hingham drew within 27-26.
However, a self-inflicted mistake proved costly for the Harbormen, as a false start penalty pushed the team back on the ensuing extra point try. The attempt proceeded to sail wide left.
Shortly thereafter, the Green Wave recovered an onside kick, sealing an unforgettable win.
“We need to keep a chip on our shoulder,” Paulding said. “We’re an underrated team, and we need to keep it on our shoulder, honestly.”
Reilly finished 5-for-8 passing with 86 yards in the effort for Abington, while Solimini also added two catches for 65 yards receiving.
Varholak closed his night 11-for-18 passing with 247 yards and a trio of touchdowns for Hingham (along with 47 yards rushing), while Reale added four receptions for 72 yards and two scores.
In two of its three games so far, Abington has watched things come down to the final second against a vaunted squad from the Patriot League. This time around, Ed Reilly’s group pulled through.
“It’s crazy,” Reilly said. “Two crazy games against obviously Duxbury, and now Hingham. I’m at a loss for words, really, because what a game. I mean, 27-26, comes down to the wire like that? I mean, they’re a very talented team, very well-coached. I’ve got nothing but respect for TJ (Byrne) and his program. I’m just proud of my guys for sticking in there.”
