Tabor Academy, Peter Bourque romp past Belmont Hill

MARION — As Peter Bourque and his teammates made the long stroll from the field house to the turf, they knew a challenge was waiting for them in the form of a premier ISL rival.

Despite the pressure, the sophomore remained unfazed. Bourque proceeded to complete 10-of-21 passes for 230 yards Saturday. He also scampered for 43 yards, finishing with four total touchdowns as Tabor Academy remained perfect with a 44-12 drubbing of Belmont Hill.

“We’re fortunate that we have a lot of really good kids who also love football,” said Tabor coach Jeff Moore. “But they’re also really good teammates. That’s the important thing. I never pick a score, but I’m not surprised by the outcome, just with the way we practiced this week. That’s just a testament to the grittiness, and how much these guys love football, and the way we practiced all week. This was our most complete week, Tuesday through Friday, so it’s just not surprising that we see things (unfold this way) on Saturday.”

The Seawolves (6-0) attempted to establish the run early, and did so right out of the gate by leaning on Hugo Djeumeni Kemeni (28 carries, 210 yards). On Tabor Academy’s opening possession, the team handed it off to their workhorse back, and he immediately saw a gaping hole.

“I saw nothing,” Djeumeni Kemeni said with a laugh. “It was open, wide open.”

The Yale commit sprinted through the lane, with nothing but grass standing in his way. He proceeded to break off a 44-yard touchdown rush, and Tabor immediately seized a 7-0 lead with 7:25 to play in the opening quarter.

“It was all (my o-line),” said Djeumeni Kemeni. “I didn’t have to do much. When it’s open like that, all you have to do is run through it.”

Later on in the first quarter with his team clinging to a 10-6 lead, Djuemeni Kemeni struck again. This time, Bourque dumped a pass into the flat for the senior, and the back galloped up the sideline for a 44-yard touchdown reception to put the Seawolves ahead, 17-6, with 2:38 left in the frame.

With 3:21 to play in the first half, Bourque decided to take a shot downfield himself. In a stunning twist, senior wideout Dameer Phifer was left completely uncovered in the secondary, and corralled the pass before dancing into the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown, as Tabor took a commanding 30-6 lead into the break.

Early on in the third quarter, Bourque helped the Seawolves pick up right where they left off, as he broke into the secondary with a quarterback keeper. After shedding a tackle, the sophomore scrambled loose for a 33-yard touchdown rush, and Tabor was off and running with a 37-6 lead.

Djeumeni Kemeni finished with two touchdowns rushing.

Belmont Hill (4-3) was led by Reis Little, who completed 10-of-22 passes for 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jordan Summers had four receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.

“We can’t be satisfied,” Bourque said. “We’re capable of everything. We can play with any team in New England, I believe. We just have to do everything right. I think we can only beat ourselves, and Coach Moore stresses that every day.”