Ghosts Deliver Late-Game Heroics in 22–15 Youth Night Victory

With hundreds of future Ghosts cheering from the stands on Youth Night, Westford Academy delivered a thrilling 22–15 victory over Lincoln-Sudbury on Friday at Trustees Field. The win moved WA to 2–0 in Dual County League play.

Trailing 15–14 with five minutes remaining, the Ghosts leaned on senior captain Declan Hevey to help power the winning drive. Hevey carried five times during the four-minute march, running hard and finding another gear to bring Westford down to the 1-yard line. Cam Croom finished the job, punching it in to put the Ghosts ahead.

Westford then turned to backup quarterback Joey Guthrie, who connected with senior captain and tight end JJ Wilson on a throwback pass for the two-point conversion, extending the lead to 22–15. Carter Hesse sealed the victory with an interception, completing a dramatic finish in front of the home crowd.

The Ghosts opened the scoring in the second quarter when senior quarterback Jack LaFond connected with Nolan Kropp for a 32-yard touchdown. The pass came just three plays after LaFond injured his knee. He exited the game after the touchdown, finishing a perfect 6-for-6 for 90 yards and a score.

With the game tied 7–7 at halftime, Westford regained the lead in the third quarter on Croom’s 2-yard touchdown run. Lincoln-Sudbury answered with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to take a 15–14 advantage, setting up the Ghosts’ decisive late drive.

Guthrie completed 6 of 8 passes for 74 yards in relief of LaFond. Brett Moran led Westford with 63 receiving yards, while Kropp added 58 yards and a touchdown. Croom finished with 33 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

The victory capped a memorable Youth Night at the Haunted House, with hundreds of young players and future Ghosts bringing energy to the stands and celebrating alongside the WA football community.

The Ghosts return to Trustees Field next Friday, October 9, to host Bedford at 7 p.m., looking to build on their unbeaten start in DCL play.