CASE FOOTBALL: Goal-line offense sputters in 14-13 loss

SWANSEA — No, close doesn't count.

Case High had a woeful time with its goal-line offense in the second half of a 14-13 football loss to Millis on Friday night at Somerset Berkley Regional's Hanson Field.

Counting an unsuccessful short conversion try with 47 seconds left, the Cardinals (6-3) failed on six straight tries from inside the Millis 2 yard line in losing their third straight game, the first and third of those losses in legit heartbreaking fashion. Not counted among the aforementioned goal-line struggles was a blocked 19-yard field goal try.

"We had offensive breakdowns and we had defensive breakdowns at the wrong times," Case coach Anthony Palladino said.

Following the blocked field goal on the seventh play of the fourth quarter, Millis (3-5) drove 80 yards in nine plays to turn a 7-7 tie into a 14-7 lead. Senior Stephen Melia had a 35-yard run on the drive and quarterback Thomas Fallon capped it with a nine-yard run. Christopher Edwards' second extra-point kick made it 14-7 with 1:52 remaining.

As was the case on all three of its second-half possessions, Case again moved the ball. Clayton Dyer, effectively filling in for injured Danny Silva at quarterback, broke off a 30-yard run and fullback Ty Couto's four-yard touchdown run made it 14-13 with 47 seconds to play.

A Millis penalty put the ball at the 1.5-yard line for the conversion. On Case's final dose of frustration, Dyer had to scramble a bit for a low snap and was swarmed under by the Mills defense. He got off a very-short  desperation pass which was intercepted by Edwards. Palladino took the blame for the failed conversion.

"There was a miscommunication," he said. "That's on me. I didn't have the guys prepared."

Couto in the second half alone rushed 13 times for 111 yards. He finished with 152 yards on 20 rushes. Millis' goal-line defense did stop him three times.

Dyer rushed 12 times for 95 yards

Mills struck first this night on a Fallon five-yard run with 2:28 left in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Dyer intercepted a pass tipped by teammate Braden Ventura. Three plays later, Dyer scored on a spectacular 26-yard weaving run which probably covered 52 yards. Jared Rebello kicked the extra point for a 7-7 game with 7:00 left in the first half.

Email Greg Sullivan at gsullivan@heraldnews.com. Follow him @GregSullivanHN.

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