Billy Silvia Provides Morning Fireworks as Braintree Tops Barnstable

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

Braintree, Mass. – Despite the morning start, Billy Silvia provided plenty of fireworks.

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Silvia rushed for 248 yards and three touchdowns, and added another score on an interception return for a touchdown, as Braintree defeated No. 20 Barnstable, 47-27, on Saturday morning at Braintree High School.

Silvia’s impact was felt throughout the contest with the senior standout scoring in the first, second, and twice in the fourth quarter. 

When Silvia was not using his build and athleticism out of the backfield or his instincts in the secondary, he was contributing on special teams kicking four extra points.

“I don't know how you game plan for Billy (Silvia)," said Braintree coach Brian Chamberlain. "He is a special kid. He blocks well, he catches the ball, and you can't coach the way he runs."

After the Braintree defense forced a punt to begin the game, Silvia quickly pushed the Wamps in front. On the Wamps first play from scrimmage, Silvia took the handoff, cut inside and went untouched for a 58-yard touchdown to give Braintree a 7-0 lead.

Braintree remained in front, 14-7, midway through the second quarter when Silvia used his defense to help the Wamps extend their lead.

On third down and five Silva jumped the route on a Matt Petercuskie pass and took it the distance 37-yards for a touchdown extending the Wamps lead to 20-7.

“Our coach had us prepared for that play all week,” said Silvia. “Just to sit back on the deep pass, and then come up when he throws it. We thought we would have that pick-six that whole entire time.”

When the Wamps were not putting points on the board courtesy of Silvia, the pairing of quarterback Michael Tellier and wide receiver Calvin Lane did the damage. Tellier and Lane connected three times in the first half for 64 yards, the final of which was a 24-yard touchdown, to help lift Braintree to a 27-7 lead at the break.

Barnstable showed sings of a potential comeback in the early stages of the second half. Thomas Our intercepted a Tellier pass and returned it inside the redzone. Moments later, Nick Freig ran in a score from two yards out to pull the Red Raiders within 27-14.

Silvia quickly dashed any aspirations Barnstable had of an improbable come-from-behind victory. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Silvia received the football off a double reverse and broke through the Red Raiders front seven for a 69-yard touchdown run to increase the Wamps lead to 34-14.

The most notable facet of Silvia’s Saturday highlight reel came on his final carry of the game. 

With a little over seven minutes left, Silvia took a toss to the left and started to tip-toe along the sideline. As the Red Raiders’ attempted to force him out, Silvia quickly changed direction and cut back to the right breaking through the Barnstable secondary and into the open field for a 73-yard touchdown run to give Braintree an insurmountable 40-14 advantage.