ASHLAND — After making it to the Division 6 South championship game, the Old Rochester Regional High School football team was eliminated from playoff competition by Ashland High School on Friday, Nov. 15 with a final score of 20-19.

Head Coach Bryce Guilbeault said that the team was down 20-7 with just seven minutes left in the game, and nearly rallied to make a comeback. 

Ryon Thomas scored to make it 20-13, but the Bulldogs missed the extra point. Jayven Pina then intercepted a pass around mid field, and Old Rochester scored again with just 51 seconds left to make it a one point game.

Faced with a tough decision Guilbeault said he “decided to go for the win” but that his team was “stopped about a yard short” of the endzone on the two-point conversion attempt.

Guilbeault said it was a tough way to end the season, but that he was proud of his players. “They played hard and kept fighting. They showed a lot of intestinal fortitude,” he said.

Prior to the game Guilbeault said that Ashland is  “a well-balanced team that has the ability to stretch you both vertically and horizontally in the passing game. They are big and physical up front and have a really good dual threat quarterback.” 

Old Rochester only lost one regular season game to Apponequet High School, which they later avenged in playoff action.