Framingham 41, Wellesley 10: Flyer of a start

The first game of the season has not been kind to the Framingham football team in recent years.

Last night the Flyers reversed their fortunes with a dominating 41-10 Bay State Conference win over Wellesley at Bowditch Field.

The Flyers controlled all facets of the game, avenging a 28-7 loss to the Raiders in last year’s opener.

“I don’t know if anyone has started slower than us the last few years,” Framingham coach Gary Doherty said. “This was good to get out of the gate like this.”

Flyers senior quarterback Greg Finley had a stellar game completing 12-of-19 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns. Finley also unveiled a new look by running for 119 yards and a score.

“It helps to have a three-year starter at quarterback that knows our offense,” Doherty said. “I thought special teams played outstanding, I’m really proud of that. They played better than I could’ve expected. Defense settled down and started making plays and giving us short fields.”

Framingham (1-0 overall, BSC) unleashed 27 straight points in the first half to take a commanding 27-3 halftime lead.

Finley got the Flyers on the board with a 25-yard run through the middle of the field, showcasing speed that he did not have a year ago. The PAT was missed and Framingham led 6-3 with 4:00 left in the first.

“I’ve never been able to run like that in a game,” Finley said. “They were giving us the run in the first quarter. Once we found out we could run it just opened up the pass. From there we just kept attacking.”

After the Flyers defense forced a three-and-out, Finley navigated a nine-play, 59-yard drive that ended with Alex Yerardi’s 2-yard touchdown and a 13-3 lead.

The Flyers increased their lead to 20-3 with 8:20 to go in the second quarter.

Finley began the drive with a 31-yard run to move the ball to the Raiders 31. He then converted a fourth-and-inches by plowing ahead for four yards. Finley capped the drive with an 11-yard strike to tight end Donald Goff.

“Greg worked really hard over the offseason,” Doherty said. “He lost some weight, got stronger so he’s quicker. He’s bigger, faster, stronger than he was a year ago.”

Framingham’s special teams made its presence felt when Allan Lamas blocked a Wellesley punt from its own end zone. Alex Liquori pounced on the ball in the end zone to give the hosts a 27-3 lead with 3:43 remaining in the half.

Finley completed his night with a 17-yard laser to Goff late in the third quarter.

“‘On both of them (passes to Goff) they went man coverage with a linebacker on the tight end,” Finley said. “We had a mismatch when they took the safety out of the middle of the field. We just attacked it.”

Wellesley looked good at the start taking the opening kickoff and moving 69 yards down field. Senior Dan Elfman (18 carries, 129 yards) shredded the middle of the Framingham defense and moved the ball to the 1. On third down a false start moved the Raiders back and they had to settle for a 24-yard field goal from Tucker Morgan.

Elfman scored on a 59-yard run in the third, but the Raiders’ offense was shut down for most of the game.

“We had an adjustment with an outside linebacker, bringing him in a little bit and that seemed to tighten things up,” Framingham defensive coordinator Jason MacDonald said. “We pretty much stuck with the game plan but the kids were lose and played a little bit faster.”

Framingham will look to capitalize on its fast start when it hosts Walpole on Friday.

“It gives us a lot of confidence,” said Finley. “We’re looking forward to next week and we have to carry this against Walpole. They’re a quick team and we have to keep practicing hard and get it going.’