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Under the Rain And Lights, Middlebury Goes 4 and 0 Against The Red Raiders

photo by Marcie Bolton Tyler Provencher handing off to Mitchell Clarke

photo by Marcie Bolton Mitchell Clarke catching an interception

photo by Marcie Bolton Marshall Hasings Scores the first TD as the National Guard Watches

Tuesday September 27, 2011

By Marcie Bolton

   Before Friday night’s game, Peter Brakeley, coach of Middlebury’s freshmen football team, predicted that the varsity team would beat Rutland by 3 points.  He said it would be a great game; “Rutland has always been a very competitive team, and as a whole, are very into their football.  They are a tough team, and they are big boys.”  Coach Brakeley was wrong about the score, but right about the win.  The Tigers cinched their fourth victory of the season.  The final score of was 19-7.  

   On a night that honored the National Guard, who came from all over the country to help rebuild after Irene, it did not look good for Middlebury.  In the first 13 seconds of the game Rutland scored.  What seemed like seconds after the first TD, a mirror image play occurred after Marshall Hastings of Middlebury returned the kick-off and ran it in for an 81 yard touchdown.  The score was leveled at 7-7 and stayed that way for almost all of the first 3 quarters.    Amidst the gently falling autumn rain, both teams roared their support.  Patrick Foley, there for his first appearance in a few games, collected a fumble mid-field.  Shaken, the Red Raiders could not get their ground back.  Marshall Hastings then scored a running TD.  By the end of the 3rd quarter, the score was 7-13. 

   As the fourth quarter began, the rain became driving, but the turf field looked picture-perfect.  Player of the game, Senior Jordan Connor declared, “It was weird not having mud - we’re used to the rain [and mud].”  Connor played full back, making sure running back Hastings was able to do what he needed to do.  Connor said it was a hard-won game, and Marshall Hastings was a great runner with some great cuts.  Patrick Foley, a senior half back, had a great interception and fumble recovery with 2 minutes left on the clock.  This key action allowed for Hastings, in an ensuing play, to score an 82 yard, 3rd and final touchdown score of the night. 

   A popular quote, “A team is a group of people who work their hardest to make each other look good," seems to encapsulate the MUHS varsity boys.  I sense that Middlebury football is made up of young men with great character.  They stay true to their team and support each other on the field;  Foley, Connor, and Danny Scholten, consistently knowing where to cover, Sam Smith always giving a hand to downed opponents.  These players and their teammates are a community of players and schoolmates who influence one another while growing into fine young men.  Imprinted with the guidance of their coaches, commitment to excellence and dedication bodes for an excellent season for Middlebury High School, and for the community that celebrates its local sports.

   Next Friday, the last day of September, Middlebury Varsity football will play on their home field against Otter Valley.

   Visit www.marcieboltonphotography.com for game photos.

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