SCITUATE — It can be a pretty intimidating task, making your first-ever start at quarterback. Doing so for a decorated high school program? Possibly more daunting.

Such was the case for Scituate’s Jonny Donovan Friday night, and despite a difficult opponent, he remained unfazed.

The junior completed 7-of-15 passes for 123 yards, finishing with three touchdowns overall. He connected with Lawson Foley (three receptions, 110 yards) for a pair of scores, the latter of which came during a walk-off 41-yard Hail Mary pass at the end of regulation, as Scituate stunned one of the state’s best in Foxboro, 21-14.

“I don’t even know what to say right now,” said Donovan. “First start, and we really couldn’t get anything going offensively. But I always know that I can go to my guy, Lawson. I knew it.”

During a tense fourth quarter in which both schools traded opportunities, the Sailors forced a turnover on downs in their own territory with 35 seconds left. After working to midfield, Donovan attempted a short pass over the middle, which senior Roman Glowac corralled for a short gain. After some discussion, the referees added one second back to the clock.

“I knew it,” Donovan said. “Last play, Coach just said: ‘Roll out. Throw it off to the five, tip-drill.’ I knew my guy Lawson would come down with it.”

The junior evaded pressure, then launched a shot toward the end zone that bll slipped through traffic to a waiting Foley. Pandemonium.

Senior Willy Robinson added 75 yards rushing for the Sailors.

“I can’t remember seeing something like that in a high school game,” said Scituate coach Herb Devine. “You kind of just see that with Kordell Stewart or someone like that. Unbelievable. We’re going to have to come up with a name for it. We got pretty lucky with getting the second left on the clock. I think that was probably one of the only calls we got on the night, but got the second left on the clock. The kids made a play.”

The perennial powerhouses appeared even and destined for a high-scoring affair. Instead, the first half was a defensive war. After forcing Foxboro to punt on its opening possession, Scituate (1-0) drew first blood.

Facing 4th-and-2 from the Warriors’ 12-yard-line, Donovan scrambled to the edge, then sprinted for the game’s opening score. Senior Willy Robinson converted a two-point rush, and the Sailors led 8-0 with 3:32 in the first quarter.

Foxboro found a spark on defense, as junior Ryan Foley thwarted a Sailors drive with an interception to open the second quarter. The Warriors capitalized as senior running back Jon Sacchetti scored from three yards out to cut it to an 8-6 game with 4:12 remaining in the second quarter.

Foxboro had a chance for a go-ahead score late in the half. But Scituate stopped a goal-line rush as time expired.

In the third quarter, Foxboro (0-1) grabbed its first lead of the evening with 6:42 to go as senior quarterback Mike Marcucella hit junior wideout Cam DeLeskey to haul in a 59-yard touchdown catch as the Warriors made it 14-8.

Then, Scituate struck in rapid succession, as Donovan looked for Foley. After being held quiet for the most part, the star wide receiver tapped a deep pass out of a corner’s reach, making a juggling catch for a 59-yard touchdown strike. In 24 seconds, it was back to a tie game at 14-all.