'Shoba rallies in 4th.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: Craig Holt

SHREWSBURY - Last year's Shrewsbury-Nashoba Regional football game was your basic hard-fought battle from start to finish. Nothing changed last night.

The Chieftains, sparked by junior running back Zach Arsenault's two touchdown runs, exploded for 21 fourth-quarter points and held off the Colonials' late-game rush en route to a 28-19 victory at Shrewsbury.

"This wasn't easy, but we didn't expect it to be - Shrewsbury has a very good football team," Nashoba coach Ken Tucker said. "Nobody has moved the ball that well against us since Fitchburg and Clinton earlier in the year. But we found a way to score in the second half. And a couple of plays worked well. Our offense is about taking advantage of what's there. I'm proud of all our kids."

The Chieftains' three fourth-quarter scores proved to be the difference.

With the score tied, 7-7, Nashoba sophomore Zack Hume recovered a fumble at the Chieftains' 42. Four plays later, Arsenault scored on a 21-yard sprint. Steff's kick for the extra point gave the Chieftains their first lead, 14-7.

Shrewsbury (3-5) roared back on its next possession, driving 59 yards for a TD. Senior captain Dominic Sassone capped the drive with a 4-yard rush up the middle. However, Nashoba's defense blocked the point-after attempt, letting the Chieftains...