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Tigers continue Winning Streak Over Rutland 41-19

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Tuesday September 23, 2014

By Bill Hinman

For the second time in two weeks The Middlebury Tigers came out of the gate with a stifling defense and unstoppable offense.  The Red Raiders appeared to want to shut down the Tigers and deferred to the second half. Middlebury would start the offense on the 13 and following Ian Gill’s block, Bobby Ritter went 87 yards for the first 6 points.  With just 26 seconds off the clock Middlebury had the Red Raiders shocked with a 6-0 lead.  
Lalonde’s kick to the Raiders was returned to the 32. It would be the defense’s turn for the Tigers to put a dent in the Raiders armor.  On a run up the middle Sam Kilorin stopped the running back cold for a loss of 1 and a 2nd and 11.  The next play the front five forced a fumble that was recovered by Nathan Lalonde, giving Middlebury excellent field position on the Rutland 33.  Rutland did not fold and was able to shut down the offense for a few plays until Cortland Fisher got the nod and bull rushed the ball to the Rutland five.  On a first and five from the five Cortland finished out the drive for another 6.  Three minutes into the game and Middlebury was enjoying a 13-0 lead.  An unfortunate injury to Wyatt Laberge during the last play would side line him for the remainder of the game.  
In what would become a common theme throughout the first half Rutland returned the ball to the 30 only to go three and out and be forced to punt.  It appeared at this point in the game Coach Smith was comfortable with the lead and started to mix up the running game with some passing for Austin Robinson.  On a third and ten Robinson connected to Ritter for a 28 yard gain. The next play it was time for the speedy Connor Quinn to get a chance and he did not disappoint running down the right side line and hauling in the ball from Robinson for a 22 yard touchdown.  Four plays two passes six points score 20-0.  Rutland would finally stop Middlebury in the second quarter.   The Tigers were pressing deep into Rutland territory when Hathaway was unable to gain any traction leaving the ball on the 12 and setting up a field goal attempt for Lalonde.  The kick missed left and Middlebury turned the ball over to Rutland on the 12.  Understanding that the ground game was plugged Rutland went to the air and was able to gain some traction with a 32 yard pass providing some breathing room at the 47.  That would be it for the drive and Middlebury took over after a punt on their own 14.  This series would belong to Cortland Fisher. First and ten Fisher plowed into the Raiders defense for a solid 15 yard gain.  Two plays later yielded the play of the game.  Cortland Fisher got the hand off and ran through no less than four tackle attempts by the Raiders and running 58 yards in what appeared to be a play from last year’s star fullback Jacob Trautwein’s playbook.  Lalonde connected on the point after for an insurmountable 27-0 lead.  
The next series Rutland was able to capitalize on a few big runs to set up a 1st down on the one yard line.  It took Rutland two tries but they were finally able to get some points on the board. Score 27-6 with 4:25 left in the half.  On the next series Robinson lead the Tigers to a quick six with Cullen Hathaway receiving a pitch on the option and going 67 yards for the final points of the first half.  Score at half time 34-6.
The second half began with the starting eleven and a quick shut down of Rutland gave Middlebury the ball on its own 26.  Austin Robinson would again air the ball out finding Hathaway with a strike and quick 25 yard pick up.  The final points of the game for Middlebury came again from Hathaway on the triple option for a 44 yard run down the right side.  Oakley Palmer filling in for the injured Lanlonde was good on the point after giving the Middlebury Tigers a comfortable 41-6 lead.  Head Coach Dennis Smith had seen enough and as is become the norm Middlebury would not run up the score.  The second string players saw action for the better part of the second half.  Of note Jerry Neimo was able to find seams in the Rutland defense behind a young group of lineman that appear poised to fill in gaps where needed for the remainder of the year.  Rutland found some holes in Middlebury defense in the second half and capitalized on two long runs to score twice.  Junior Chase Messner showed that he also is a threat chasing down a Rutland halfback to save a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.  Middlebury ended the game with a 41-19 win and travel to Hinesburg on Saturday for a one pm matchup against the Champlain Valley Union.        

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