Main Sections

Tigers Do It Again 29-6 Over Dogs... Now 7-0

Tuesday October 19, 2010

By Mike Cameron

The Burr and Burton Bull Dogs came to town spoiling for an upset. They grabbed a 6-0 lead right off the opening kick off and then started to make mistakes.  Most of the mis-q's were turned into scores by the Middlebury Union High School Varsity Football Team.  The young Dogs from Manchester have talent and desire.  What they did not have is experience especially from upperclassmen.

    After spotting the Dogs 6-quick after a 63-yard drive to open the contest,  Middlebury went right to work.  They would soon nullify a nice 12-yard opening touchdown by Burr and Burton's Grady Murtagh.

     Bryan Ashley-Selleck,  running on a slippery-sloppy turf  tied the score from 3-yards out.  The extra point attempt was stopped.  Ashley-Selleck was just getting warmed up on a night where staying warm in the wind and driving rain was a chore.    The good crowd on hand for the Tigers and a nice caravan up from Manchester were all bundled up for this one.  Forget the umbrellas, they would have ended up in Rutland perhaps with people still attached to them.

    Like they did against CVU the week before, the Tigers were able to bottle-up another excellent option, sprint-out quarterback after they got their reads right.  Burr and Burtons quarterback Jess Stalcup is a gamer and only a sophomore.  But he had to contend with a Force 4 gale in his face and the Tigers Pat Fifield and Alex Bowdish for most of the game.  Six points would be it for the Bull Dogs on this night.

    Middlebury showed why they are so dangerous when given an opportunity.  Steel White added the go ahead score late in the first quarter on a blast through the middle, then “the man of steel” added the 2-point conversion on another quick hitter.  14-6 Middlebury.

    The Tigers, now in the lead 14-6 with time ticking down in the second quarter got a big break on a knee touch by the Bull Dog punter Stalcup.  The case was debated a bit but the refs ruling stood.  The punter's knee touched at the 9-yard line before he was able to kick the ball.

    Middlebury went right to work and Ashley-Selleck playing one of his best games ever ripped off tackle and ran into the end zone for the score.  Bowdish's kick was good and the Tigers had stunned the visitors with another score and a lead  of 21-6.  The half was over and the Tigers had roared back and were now in control of the tempo of the game.

    The second half saw the barometer drop even more.  Rain and wind picked up and going against it was almost impossible for a passing team.  The Bull Dogs showed they were also mudders but they could not get into the red zone against the stingy Tiger defense.  One Stalcup pass blew back towards the offensive line incomplete.  The Bull Dog defense was very solid and was able to hold the Tigers to one touchdown in the final stanza.  They were particularly sharp at playing the dive-man in the Tigers tripple-option attack.  Their ability to score however was just not there in the second half.

    Brendan Burrell showed some fancy footwork with a 29-yard scamper to the Bull Dog 1-yard line and then called his own number for the TD with 10:08 left in the contest.  Tigers were up 29-6 and that was the margin of victory.  Middlebury is now 7-0 in Division 2 with Colchester set for a visit on Friday night October 22, 2010, for a 7p.m. kick-off.  This will be a biggie.  Early seating is advised.

    The Tigers have been workmanlike in building their 7-0 season.  Game day they show up for work, do their individual jobs well and win. The Tigers solid work ethic will be most important as they prepare for the Lakers.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives