Westford Academy Dominates Wayland 35–0 on Youth Night

It was a night to remember at Trustees Field, where more than 1,500 fans packed the stands for Westford Academy’s annual Youth Night. The Ghosts put on a show worthy of the occasion, powering past Wayland 35–0 in a decisive Dual County League victory.

LaFond Leads the Charge

Quarterback Jack LaFond turned in a performance to remember, accounting for three touchdowns and more than 150 total yards. After a scoreless opening quarter, LaFond broke free in the second with a 50-yard touchdown run to put the Ghosts on the board. He later added a 32-yard rushing score and, just before halftime, connected with Teddy Hirbour on a perfectly placed 31-yard touchdown strike.

Hirbour’s diving catch along the sideline, with one foot inbounds, brought the crowd to its feet and gave Westford a commanding 21–0 lead at the break.

LaFond finished with 85 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus the highlight-reel TD pass.

Big Plays in the Backfield

Westford’s ground attack overwhelmed Wayland all night. Junior Brett Moran showcased his speed and power, rushing for 106 yards on just four carries, including a backbreaking 77-yard touchdown scamper in the third quarter.

Not to be outdone, senior Ben Chen added 80 yards on the ground and capped the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

By game’s end, the Ghosts had piled up explosive plays on the ground, proving their depth and balance in the backfield.

Defense Stands Tall

Equally impressive was the Ghosts’ defense, which posted its first shutout of the season. Defensive end JJ Wilson was a force in just one half of play, racking up four sacks and two forced fumbles. Linebacker Brett Moran, Defensive Linemen  Malcolm McDonald, and Leo Koutsoukos all played tough in shutting down Wayland’s run game, while cornerback Sam Bramanti locked down the perimeter. To end all hopes of Wayland scoring, Sophomore Cornerback Nolan Kropp intercepted a pass with 2 minutes left in the game to seal the shutout.  

The unit’s physicality and speed frustrated the Warriors all night, ensuring the 35–0 shutout.

A Community Celebration

The victory was amplified by the atmosphere of Youth Night. More than 1,500 fans filled the stadium, with youth players from Westford’s flag and tackle programs joining the varsity team on the field. At halftime, kids sprinted across the turf, proudly representing the future of the Ghosts.

Westford Academy cheerleaders and the WA Marching Band also welcomed youth participants into their performances, giving the younger athletes, dancers, and musicians a chance to shine under the Friday night lights.

Head Coach Bruce Rich praised the atmosphere:

“This was a great win for our team, but just as important, it was a night to celebrate the future of Westford football. Seeing the youth players, cheerleaders, and band members out there alongside our varsity team shows the strength of this community.”

Rivalry Week Ahead

With the victory, Westford Academy improves to 1–2 and builds momentum heading into a marquee matchup against longtime rival Lincoln-Sudbury. Over the past four years, the two programs have traded turns as Dual County League champions, and this season the Warriors come in undefeated.

Friday’s showdown at LS will be one of the toughest challenges of the year for the Ghosts, but also an opportunity to make a statement in league play.

Final Score: Westford Academy 35, Wayland 0.