Main Sections

Tigers Solve Patriots 25-13...Community Learns of Dick Bullock’s Passing

Tuesday October 5, 2010

By Mike Cameron

    On Friday October 1st, 2010 the Tigers were scheduled to play the Division 1 Patriots of Mount Anthony Union High from Bennington at Father Spinelli Field in that town. Heavy rain prevented this and the game was re-set for Saturday at 6 p.m. October 2, 2010 by the V.P.A.

    The cancellation was coupled with news of the passing of long-time Middlebury Tiger announcer Richard  “Dick” Bullock.  Dick had been battling cancer for months and was an inspiration to everyone who came in contact with him.  A complete obituary will appear in The Valley Voice when it becomes available.

    The 6 p.m. start in Bennington didn't seem to agree with either team and they went about their business in a rather lack-luster manner early.  But that didn't last long as the Tigers began to adjust to the wide open “quick huddle offense” of the Patriots.  The Pat's were young, big and winless and had nothing to loose in this non-league encounter.  They were a hand full.  MAU quarterback Chris Redding can run and throw.  He can also block and lead.  Two solid pass catchers like Cody Columbie and lanky Lance Elithorpe provide the Patriots with fire power for the future but not on this evening.

    The Tigers would have none of it.  Staying with their disciplined defense MAU continued  to do what serves them best.  Read and move to the ball.  The young Patriots would discover this the hard way even though they filled the evening sky full of footballs the Tigers defense would not let them get the upper hand at the line of scrimmage.  The game was won there and Tiger experience was evident all game long.

    Brendan Burrell stayed cool under fire and got the Tigers on the board in the second quarter after setting up the play with a nice pass to Hastings.  The Tiger signal caller knifed over from the 1-yard line.  The extra point kick was wide.

    The Tigers coupled that with a 34-yard pass play Burrell to Pat Foley with Foley getting wide open on the play.  The two point try was no good.  

    With Middlebury having to earn every chunk of soggy turf from a big Patriot defensive front.  They remained cool and businesslike.  Tiger Coach Denny Smith had been down this road before.  The Patriots were making big plays on both sides of the ball but they were having problems in the Red Zone.

    The Tigers could have put this one away in the first half when Dylan Robinson short hopped a high Pat snap at the Tiger 15 and raced for a TD which was called back by what the officiating crew had determined was a case of offsetting penalties.  The fireworks occurred just before the half with the Tigers up 12-0.

    MAU notched a score early in the 3rd quarter after taking advantage of a Tiger fumble inside the 25.
Redding scored on a 1-yard plunge and the kick was good to cap the short drive.  Tigers 12, Pats 7. in the 3rd.

    Then MAU did something odd.  They tried a “screened on side kick”.  It was kind of a hybrid  but the Tigers were not fooled.  Hastings and Ashley-Selleck answered with thunder and lightning runs deep in Patriot territory.  Burrell lugged it over from the 1 and the Tigers had the Pat's in tow 18-7.

    The 4th quarter was a battle royal and the penalties began to up-tick accordingly.  Mt. Anthony felt that they had a shot and never folded.  The Tigers notched another score on a Hastings power run and dive to the pylon and MAU puled off a nifty hook-and ladder pass catch and lateral for a score late in the game making it 25-13 Tigers.  The Patriots are a team to watch in the future.  The Tigers are 5-0 and will take on CVU at Doc Collins on Friday night October 8th at 7 p.m. for a monster Division 2 showdown.
Early arrival is advised.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives