HANOVER – For much of the past decade, the annual high school football clash between Hanover and Scituate has blossomed into a unique rivalry, a chess match between two bitter Patriot League foes.

The latest chapter? A profound statement.

Sophomore Grayson Foley had a breakout game with five carries for 120 yards rushing and a pair of scores. Meanwhile, his brother Lawson finished with two receptions for 74 yards and two touchdowns as the Sailors (5-0) kept their unbeaten campaign rolling with a convincing 52-0 rout of the Hawks on the road.

“The last two years, they punched us in the mouth,” said Scituate coach Herb Devine. “They were the better football team. Tonight, we wanted to avenge some of that a little bit. But I think the bottom line is that this is a different team. They’re a different team, every year’s different. Our kids were pretty motivated to come out here.”

The schools engaged in a defensive battle to start, before the Sailors found their rhythm on the back of Willy Robinson. With 2:15 to go in the first quarter, the senior captain shed a series of tackles before breaking off a 39-yard touchdown rush as Scituate seized a 7-0 lead.

Then, in backbreaking fashion, the Sailors closed the opening stanza with some trickery, as quarterback Jonny Donovan dumped a pass into the flat for Joseph Burke. In a play eerily reminiscent to the one the New England Patriots ran in the postseason a few years back, the wideout paused, then suddenly looked to throw. He connected with Lawson  Foley in-stride for a stunning 51-yard touchdown strike, and Scituate was off and running with a 14-0 edge.

“That was a drawn up play we had in practice,” chuckled Burke. “Coach Devine, whenever he calls it, we have to execute. The safety bit up with the screen pass, and Lawson was wide open.”

Then, the levee collapsed on Hanover (3-2) in the second quarter. After the Sailors stopped the Hawks following a deep drive, Scituate turned its attention to Grayson Foley. The sophomore erupted for a 61-yard touchdown rush, pushing his team’s advantage to 21-0. Donovan would hit Lawson Foley for a 23-yard touchdown pass with 3:55 to go in the quarter, before connecting with Burke for a 68-yard touchdown strike with 35 ticks before intermission. As fast as one could blink, the lead had ballooned to 35-0.

Robinson finished with 11 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown for Scituate, while Donovan completed three-of-seven passes for 101 yards and two scores.

“I think as a team, we knew we had a chip on our shoulder,” said Burke. “I think the attitude as a team is positive. Everyone is confident. Everyone knew what we needed this game.”