Main Sections

Tigers Sink Sea Horses 33-22... Big Second Half for MUHS Gridders

photo by Mike Cameron Tigers Center and Co Captain #51 Dylan Newton prepares to snap the ball to Quarterback Dane Liljestrand #15 while Left Guard #65 Jon Wright lines up against Burlington High Defensive Tackle and Co Captain Mick O’Brien on Friday night October 10th 2008. The Tigers came from behind to win the game by a score of 33-22 before a big crowd at Doc Collins Field in Middlebury.

Tuesday October 14, 2008

By Mike Cameron

    After a valiant, total team effort on the road at Barttleboro the preceding week, loosing by a wisker, the MUHS Tigers were at home this past Friday night October 10th 2008 to host the Burlington Seahorses, a team that they have had excellent success against in recent years.  The Tigers came into this one with only a single win in their division.

    The Seahorses were also in a “down-cycle” with respect to overall numbers of players this year and came into the contest with a no win record.  First year BHS Head Coach Kevin Carney knew he would be facing a rebuilding season similar to the one he faced at Spaulding in Barre several years earlier. Carney fashioned the Spaulding program into a winner one season later and is working to do the same at Burlington.  Like Spaulding, BHS is a team with a proud high school football tradition.

    Records aside, there would still be plenty to play for.  That fact would present itself on a picture-perfect  Friday Night Football evening here in Middlebury.

    Both teams featured some excellent individual players.  For the Tigers workhorse Sean Harrison would lead the Tigers with his triple threat abilities and solid support from standout front line troops like Dylan Newton and Jimmy Danyow.  Ryan Foley has also grabbed more than a few headlines with his offensive and defensive exploits this year.

    Ross Lengyel, Dane Lilgestrand and Cooper Quenneville would also have some big plays in this one.

    Similarly the Seahorses are led by one of the best linemen in Vermont High School football in the person of Kevin Messier.  Lloyd Nun, Andy Cain and Cooper Wiley have made some excellent plays for the horses all year along with speedy Mike Labombard.

    Even while being bugged by injuries, both Middlebury and Burlington have been able to stay close to some of the better teams in the state but both have lost the services of key personnel against those better teams in crucial league games so far this year.  Many of the pundits were looking forward to seeing how these two would do against each other during a head to head contest in a cross-county showdown. They weren’t disappointed.

    Tiger Interim Head Coach Denis Smith has had to use every single ounce of his football savvy this season and he has done an outstanding job under very trying circumstances.  A win against Burlington would be a terrific momentum booster for the entire Tiger family and set the stage for Mt. Anthony at home and BFA St. Albans on the road to round out the season on a positive note.

Tigers Roar in Second Half

    Bang, bang, bang!  That was the way Middlebury came out of the locker room in the second half to rock BHS back on their heels after the Seahorses had battled to a 4 point lead at the break.  It was Ryan Foley for 5 and a touch, Harrison to Ross Lengyel for a 20 yard TD pass and Cooper Quinville on a dazzling 65 yard jaunt for another touchdown.  The Tigers were up 33-16.  This after BHS came out like a “house on fire” at the opening quarter and collected two TDs off power runs by rugged Cooper Wile.  They also collected another score on a 5 yard pass reception by Jim Hale.  But the Tigers stayed close propelled by a 75 yard pass play Liljestrand to Harrison.

    Late in the game the Seahorses went on a time consuming drive of over 80 yards and scored with second’s ticking off the clock and MUHS sealing the deal 33-22.

    Burlington defensive standout Lloyn Nun played an outstanding game in this one with over a dozen assisted and unassisted tackles.  Nun who is a junior will likely be heard from in the future.  College scouts love athletes with his talent.

    Next up for the Tigers will be the Rebels of So. Burlington on Friday night October 17th at Doc Collins Field.  Be there early. The crowd should be a good one.  The Tigers would like nothing more than to sting the Rebs, the team that ended their season last year.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives