Top Seeded Concord-Carlisle Can't Stop Surging Tanners

For the Woburn High School football team, it was a very special victory.

“We spend a lot of time on special teams,” said Tanners head coach Rocky Nelson on Friday night. “It paid off.”

Woburn’s Tyler Joseph ran the opening kickoff for a touchdown and kicker Nick Dangora chipped in a critical field goal before halftime as the Tanners rode their special teams performance to a 17-14 victory over No. 1 seed Concord-Carlisle on Friday in the Northwest Division 3 semifinal game.

Nelson’s charges pounced to a 17-0 halftime lead thanks to the previously mentioned plays and a touchdown from quarterback Rob Voci. Late in the fourth quarter, however, Concord-Carlisle began to make it a game.

The Patriots pulled within 17-14 with just 52 seconds remaining. That’s when the drama began as Concord-Carlisle also recovered the onside kick and took over at midfield with hopes of earning a dramatic comeback.

But Christian Cesvette sealed the win with his second interception of the day and the Tanners advanced to face Melrose on Friday night at 7 p.m. on the road in the Northwest title game.

“I think we’re playing our best football,” said Nelson. “We’re pleased to get out of here with a win and move on.”

According to Nelson, it was a fundamental change that helped Woburn get this far. After a 5-0 start to the year, Arlington and Reading handed the Tanners lopsided defeats to close out the year.

But the locals bounced back with their best defensive performances of the year in the playoffs. On Friday night, the Tanners forced four turnovers, including two picks from Cesvette, one by Joseph, a fumble recovery by Tim Concannon and another interception that was called back for pass interference.

“We got hammered two weeks in a row, and we changed our philosophy a little bit,” said Nelson. “It’s helped us the last two games. Hopefully we can do it one more week.”