Tigers Streak Continues...Rebs Fall 50-0
By Mike Cameron
photo by Mike Cameron Cullen Hathaway #37 recovers a fumble at the 2 yard line causing a big momentum swing in the first quarter of Middlebury’s win against So. Burlington as #11 Connor Quinn looks on. |
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At South Burlington in a Homecoming Game, Middlebury was ready to spoil the party and they did ultimately but only after the Rebels had the momentum early as Rebel coach Joe Mc Donald tried every trick in the book to get on the board, end the Tiger streak and keep the hometown fans cheering. Half back option passes by Cam Nolting to Jake LaBelle caught the Tigers deep secondary napping in the first quarter but the tackles were made deep in the red zone and further penetration was nullified with great team defense from Middlebury prompted by an unhappy Tiger coaching staff exhorting their troops to “dig-in”. Message received. Tiger football restored. Rebels turned away. A fumble recovery by the Tigers at their 2-yard line turned the momentum on a dime as the usually rock solid Rebel ball carrier, Cam Nolting, only three strides away from a score had the ball stripped and pounced upon by the Tiger defense. South Burlington never recovered. Many expected that they would make a come-back in the second half. Middlebury dominated the rest of the way with running time installed by the officials midway through. With workman like precision the Tigers defensive unit simply put the game away. The Tiger offense began to click after some early misfires and then the scoreboard lit-up like the pare-game fireworks for the visitors as the first quarter progressed. The Tigers struck first on a 66-yard slash and dash by Cullen Hathaway on their third possession of this one aided by big blocks up front. Nate Lalonde added the point-after, (he was perfect on the night), and it was 70-0at 4:02 in the first quarter. Justin Stone made it 13-0 with a blast up the middle and Bobby Ritter raced to the to end zone from 36-yards out to help end the first half scoring but not until Austin Robinson ran in the extra points from his holding position to make it 22-0 at the half. Early 3rd quarter action saw Connor Quinn snagging a nice pass in traffic from Hathaway who had taken a pitch from Robinson. It was the right time for the play as the Rebels were keying on Hathaway to run yet again. The catch and kick made it 29-0. The Tigers were now dominating on both sides of the ball including a big pass rush on almost every play. Austin Robinson demonstrated to the big crowd that he would not be denied. The Rebels had done everything to contain the talented Tiger signal caller but he kept his cool and broke loose for 18-yards and a touchdown, making it 35 to 0. Bobby Ritter contributed 95 yards to aid the Tigers one sided victory. Lalonde's kick sailed through the sticks and off into the night and the Tigers had South Burlington in tow 36-0. Middlebury was on a role even with many offensive starters on the sidelines. Robinson added an exclamation point a short time later adding another 18-yard scramble through the Rebels for the Touchdown and the kick was perfect. Tigers 43-Rebels 0. Middlebury sophomore Trey Kaufmann's 7-yard wedge to the end zone late in the final quarter made it 49-0 and Okley Gordon launched the p.a.t. down range and perfect. The Tigers had made a statement. Middlebury 50, South Burlington 0. A note for next year. South Burlington is loaded with a host of junior talent. The Tigers end their regular season against Burlington on Friday night October 17th at Doc Collins Field. The playoffs now loom large. Coach Dennis Smith and Jon Nuceder with Jed Malcolm coach them one game at a time. It was a tough loss for the Rebels. They are an excellent program. The hospitality they show visitors to their facility is always looked forward to by this reporter.
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