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Tigers Host Essex in Key Friday Night Contest

Monday September 2, 2013

By Mike Cameron

   With both high school football teams having installed their offensive and defensive systems for 2013,  old rivals Essex and Middlebury will meet again on Friday night August 30th 2013 for the latest edition.

    Over the years the two teams have played each other in many memorable, regular season, and post season contests.  At one time both teams ran almost identical wish-bone offenses and featured solid defensive units.  When both teams were in  Division 2 and had good years, many felt that they were the best in Vermont in certain years even though the Division 1 football schools were getting most of the headlines.  Both have continued to be a tough test in any given year.

   It is interesting to note that in a year when one team would win a regular season game, the other might indeed win a playoff game between the two.

    Last year at Essex, the Hornets of head coach Charlie Burnett made some adjustments at the half and went to the air early and often in the second half to win a dramatic come-from-behind win in front of the home town fans at the Essex Educational Center 21-20.  

    Graduation has thinned the ranks including sharp-shooting quarterback Joey Picard.  Acrobatic receiver Cody Green will be back and if some one steps up for Picard, Green can grab the ball in a crowd.  Coach Burnett will have his team prepared and is a quick study.  If Essex is hot when they arrive on Friday night, the Tigers will not have much wiggle room for mistakes.  Another factor is that Essex has not won at Doc Collins in several years,

    Middlebury will be coming off an impressive scrimmage against D-2 Fair Haven and the timing could be good for the Tigers.  The Slaters use a very complicated series of sets and looks on offense and coach Brian Grady likes to air it out.  The two do not play during the regular season as Middlebury will see a total D-1 schedule this year.

   Middlebury has a nice core of talent with some some key varsity experience going into the game against Essex.  Depth as always will be a problem and it should surprise no one to see Tigers going both ways for Coach Smith who is a student of the game and an excellent mentor.  He will always get the most out of the talent he has.  Senior Sam Smith will be again employ his considerable skills out of a running back spot and power running fullback Jacob Trautwein will be the point man in Middlebury's running attack.  Nick Felkil, and Michell Clark will see plenty of action as will Sam Usilton and Josh Stearns.  Sam Messinger will bring experience with him along the line of scrimmage.

    The Tigers as always will pound the ball with disciplined blocking and exercise the option only if the look is there for the quarterback.  They are a difficult team to get behind on and even if you have more or experienced talent, if they can keep it close, they can win as was evident several years ago when they beat a heavily favored Hartford team with a field goal to win the State Championship 3-0.

    Essex will no doubt be going as deep as they can with the pass.  If they can get one on one match ups deep with their wide out Green like they did last year, Essex could score on the home run ball.  Expect the Tigers to be ready for that.  If the Hornets can not establish a running game this Friday night they could have a long bus ride home.  As always it will be a premier match-up to start the season and for folks who enjoy Vermont High School Football, it doesn't get any better than this match up.

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