Hopkinton football flying high at 3-0 after defeating Westborough

Tim Whelan Jr., MetroWest Daily News
·2 min read

Last fall marked Mark Sanborn’s first as Hopkinton High School’s head football coach, and with that came the requisite frustrations a year one can present. It wasn’t until October 22 of 2021 that the Hillers won their third game, and they followed that up with four straight defeats to finish 3-8.

A year older and wiser and Sanborn’s Hillers are building something special. The latest brick in the foundation came in the form of Saturday afternoon’s 39-13 thrashing of non-league host Westborough at Mewhiney Field in their first meeting since 1958.

More: Week 3 High School Football Scores and Highlights

“I always knew as both a player and now a coach coming in that a Saturday game is a bit different with routine,” said Sanborn, a Hopkinton High and UMass Lowell baseball alum. “We had a great week of practice and showed up ready to go. It was a good overall performance and one of the better offensive performances we’ve had in my time here.

Hopkinton quarterback Robert Litscher, center, celebrates his first half touchdown with teammates Sam Pantera, left, and Charlie Petruney (8) during the first half of a non-league game against Westborough at Westborough High School, Sept. 24, 2022. Saturday's matchup was the first meeting between the Rangers and Hillers football teams since 1958.
Hopkinton quarterback Robert Litscher, center, celebrates his first half touchdown with teammates Sam Pantera, left, and Charlie Petruney (8) during the first half of a non-league game against Westborough at Westborough High School, Sept. 24, 2022. Saturday's matchup was the first meeting between the Rangers and Hillers football teams since 1958.

What it means  

With the victory, Hopkinton moved to 3-0. The Hillers have outscored opponents 77-37 through three non-league games (16-6 at Wayland; 22-18 vs. Algonquin; 39-13 at Westborough).

The Rangers fell to 0-3.

By the numbers 

3: The number of wins Hopkinton had a year ago, and the number of wins it already has in 2022.

13: Seniors on 2022 Hopkinton roster, with two returning Tri-Valley League All-Stars (Brendan McGowan and Seamus Murphy).

Hopkinton quarterback Robert Litscher reaches the end zone for a first half touchdown during a non-league game against Westborough at Westborough High School, Sept. 24, 2022.
Hopkinton quarterback Robert Litscher reaches the end zone for a first half touchdown during a non-league game against Westborough at Westborough High School, Sept. 24, 2022.

Game balls 

Hopkinton: Robert Litscher and Joe Carrazza. The Hopkinton senior quarterback Litscher threw three TD passes and ran for another, a 25-yard rush to open the scoring. He had an 8-yard TD toss to Seamus Murphy, an 85-yarder to Joe Carrazza and a 65-yard connection with his twin brother, Paul Litscher. The senior running back Carrazza also ran for two TDs, a 5-yard rush and an 11-yard jaunt.

Westborough: Andrew Pisciotta. The sophomore QB threw for 170 yards and a TD (49-yard connection to Dan Hackett) and rushed for an additional 45 yards and a TD.

Hopkinton's Paul Litscher carries his interception for yardage during the first half of a non-league game against Westborough at Westborough High School, Sept. 24, 2022.
Hopkinton's Paul Litscher carries his interception for yardage during the first half of a non-league game against Westborough at Westborough High School, Sept. 24, 2022.

They said it 

Sanborn: “Our seniors have been fantastic since the offseason. They set the tone, set the energy every day. There were some growing pains last year, and it was a tough schedule. They all came back and have done everything right so far. I told them at the beginning of the year, we’ll go as far as they’ll take us. They’ve answered so far."

What’s next? 

Hopkinton: Hosts Foxborough (0-3) in non-league game on Friday, 7 p.m.

Westborough: Visits Auburn (2-1) in non-league game on Friday, 7 p.m.

Tim Whelan is the sports director for the Daily News and Wicked Local. He can be reached at twhelan@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @thattimwhelan. 

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Hopkinton football flying high at 3-0 after defeating Westborough