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Tigers Meet Challenge at Essex 35-21

Essex quarterback Max Librizi looks for an open receiver while under pressure from Middlebury Tigers 53 Eric Fifield, 54 Tyler McNally and 86 Nate Lawson. Middlebury went to 5 and 0 on the year with a 35 to 21 win at Essex.
photo by Mike Cameron
Essex quarterback Max Librizi looks for an open receiver while under pressure from Middlebury Tigers 53 Eric Fifield, 54 Tyler McNally and 86 Nate Lawson. Middlebury went to 5 and 0 on the year with a 35 to 21 win at Essex.

Tuesday October 2, 2007

By Mike Cameron

    When you look at the history between the two teams, it’s hard to describe it as anything but a rivalry.

    In  the mid 70’s the two ball teams were Division 2 power-houses and many felt that they could have beaten the best of Division 1 at the time.

    In Essex, Bruce Wheeler and in Middlebury Hubie Wagner coached their teams through some excellent seasons winning several Division 2 State Championships in the process.

    Leaping forward to the 80’s and 90’s and the move up to Division 1, the same standard of excellence has prevailed for both teams and that isn’t likely to change.

    On Friday night September 28th they meet again under the lights in Essex before a huge home town crowd at The Essex Junction Educational Center.

    “We just could not stop the option and their quarterback did an excellent job running the offense.  We just could not make the big plays when we needed them tonight,” a disappointed
Essex head coach Bill Mayville said while walking off the field with this reporter after the Tigers had outplayed his Hornets to the tune of 35-21.

    “We need to stay focused and execute better,” was the post game comment by Tiger quarterback Sam Jones a week earlier in Middlebury after the Tigers had defeated St. J. Jones did exactly what he said the Tigers would have to do to win at Essex and they did in an impressive win after being tested early in the contest played on a slick rain soaked field.

    Essex drew first blood as Andrew Fournier scored the first of his three TD’s midway through the 1st quarter.  The Tigers answered with a determined bid on 4th and 1 at the 1 after being stopped by a hard hitting Hornet goal line unit three times inside the 8-yard line.  Harrison got the call and knifed for a TD to tie. The p.a.t. was good.  With the game tied at 7-7, both teams traded TD’s with Essex getting the points-after and the Tigers missing one.  The Hornets led at the half 14-13.

    In the second half Middlebury’s offense and defense was operating like a well oiled machine.  

    Sean Harrison was on his way to a 4-TD night and the Tiger defensive unit was ready to shut down Essex the rest of the way.

    Sam Jones got a nice block at the corner early in the second half and raced 56-yards for a TD and moments later Harrison tallied his fourth TD of the night.  Fournier would cash in again for Essex but it would not be enough as the Tigers totally dominated the second half on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

    Max Librizzi and Peter Dietrich shared quarterbacking duties for the Hornets with Librizzi going 13-for 21 and 110 yards passing, but it was the Tigers 294 to 279 yards in total offense that tells part of the story in this one.

    The Tigers played mistake and penalty free football for the most part while Essex played catch-up in the second half committing numerous holding and motion penalties in critical situations.  The Tigers were determined not to beat themselves.

    They will now face Brattleboro Union High School on Friday night October 5th at Doc Collins Field.  It is recommended that the fans get there early for this one.  It should be a dandy!

 


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