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Tigers Edge BFA In 34-27 Thriller To Go 9-0

photo by Mike Cameron

Tuesday October 30, 2007

By Mike Cameron

    The Bellows Free Academy Bob Whites  were in town for a 7 p.m. contest with the MHUS Tigers on Friday night October 26th, 2007.  It would be the final game of the season for both teams who were moving in totally opposite directions.  

    For the Bobwhites it had been a disappointing season in 2007.  The Tigers were riding high.  

    BFA was upset minded and almost pulled off the win of the year in Division 1 High School Football.

    In a game that saw everything including a streaker who ran the length of the field and off into the night in the second half, this one was explosive all night long.

    BFA was apparently not impressed with Middlebury’s record at all.  The Tigers playing with “House Money”had already earned the top seed in the post season.

    St. Albans junior lefty quarterback Kris Sabourin, launched the visitors into Tiger territory early by shocking the Tigers after going for it on 4th and short at his own 47.  Matt Meunier took a pitch and raced 53 yards for a touchdown and the point after was kicked.

    Middlebury countered with a drive and a 5 yard burst to pay-dirt by Sam Jones. The kick was true and the score was tied  at 7 each.

    BFA came roaring back again with  Ryan Jacobs returning 55 yards to the Tiger 15.  Sabourin notch another Bobwhite TD with a 1 yard run keeping the Tigers at bay on the p.a.t. 14-7.  

    BFA then tried an on side kick which the Tigers smelled out and covered at the Tiger 44.  The Tigers go 4 and out but Harrison who played an outstanding ball game booted the ball to the BFA 5.  After one it was 14-7 BFA.

    Middlelbury roared back in the second quarter with another drive engineered by Jones.  Utilizing Harrison and Ben Almquist they pushed the ball to the BFA 8 and Jones ran a keeper into the endzone for a tying TD and p.a.t.  Jones effort tied the game at 14-14 with eleven minutes left in the first half.

    BFA drove to the Tiger 18 with 7:36 left in the half and Sabourin hit Jacobs on the numbers in the endzone for another BFA touchdown but the p.a.t. was missed escalating the score to 20-14 Bobwhites.

    The Tigers would not back off.  They clawed their way to the BFA 39.  From there Jones raced in for a touchdown off a big block from Almquist.  The point-after was missed.  The score is tied 20 to 20 but BFA looks to take advantage of a Tiger fumble at their 1-yard line on a play that looked like it might be another Tiger TD for the go ahead score after just getting the equalizer a few moments earlier.  BFA began to move upfield again but a big hit by Ben Shaw closed them down and the half ends 20-20.

    In the second half Shaw continued his inspired play putting a charge into the Tiger Defensive unit to play even stronger and they did.

    Ben Almquist went over from 19-yards out to atone for his earlier fumble before the half the kick was good and the Tigers led for the first time in the ball game 27-20.  Now it was BFA’s turn to show their true grit as Sabourin threw a perfect 72-yard strike to Jacobs for a TD.

    It was a play that had visiting scouts licking their chops on the sidelines and in the endzones at Doc Collins Field. The BFA point after made it 27-27 after three.

    In the opening moments of the  4th quarter the Tigers drove to the BFA 25 yardline and Sean Harrison swept outside and threw a pass to Billy Audette for what would prove to be the game winner  

    The play caught the Bobwhites flat-footed the point after was good and the Tigers then sealed the deal 34-27 to end a perfect regular season 9-up and none down.

    After completing one of the best varsity football seasons in the history of the program, the MHUS Tigers now prepare for the post season and a springboard contest into the VIFL Division 1 State Championship Game.

    The Tigers are the top seed and they will enjoy a home-field-advantage in the playoffs.

    The rest of the post season field will be determined by the Vermont Principals Association Quality Points Ratings or (QPR).  The Tigers  with their lock on first place and a perfect 7-0 league record were at 122 points going into the BFA game for a QPR of 17.429.  Hartford is next.  Rutland is in the number three slot, followed by Essex with South Burlington on the bubble at number 5 and  hoping for a win against the Hornets in their final game of the season and a rematch with MUHS.

    That is exactly what happened as the Rebels went to the Hornet’s nest  in Essex and won the game 26 to 19.   Now for the play off...Game site, Doc Collins Field, Game Date, Friday, November 2, 2007, Game time 7p.m.

    The Tigers and the Rebels will play for a trip to the Championship.

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