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Tigers Squeak By Essex 34-27

photo by Mike Cameron Tiger’s #77 Maverick Payne fights off a block to grab Essex ball carrier.

photo by Mike Cameron Tiger’s Jerry Niemo #28 is congratulated by team mates #35 Parker Gross and #74 Nick Beauchamp after scoring a touchdown against Essex.

Tuesday October 6, 2015

By Mike Cameron

   It would be a strong and talented 1-4 challenger against a 5-0 program that was on a roll when the Hornets swarmed into chilly, windy Doc Collins Field on Friday evening, October 2nd 2015, for Middlebury's last regularly scheduled home game of the season.  It was also senior night, a time to salute the senior members of the team who will graduate in 2016 from MUHS.
   This year's Senior Tigers include:  Ali Abdul-Sater, Liam Smith, Oakley Gordon, Chase Messner, Nick Cu, Kyle Desabrais, Jack Hounchell, Jerry Niemo (Tri-Capt), Cortland Fischer, Parker Gross, Wyatt Laberge, Bruce Wright (Tri-Capt), River Payne, Chris Grier (Tri-Capt), Jordan Broughton, Morgan Huestis, Nick Beauchamp, Brady Larocque and Sawyer Ryan.
After winning the coin-toss, deferring to the second half and stopping the Tigers 3-and-out, the Hornets scored after a sustained drive from their own 39-yard line.  Taking a page from Middlebury's play books of old, the Hornets ran the ball right at the Tigers defensive box with sophomore Liam Coulter at the point. Junior Elliot Bouton smashed in from the 11, the kick was good and the Hornets were up 7-0.
   With the Essex defensive unit very stingy against the run option early, the Tigers decided to air it out and Oakley Gordon launched his best pass of the year to tight end Sawyer Ryan who had beaten the coverage by about five yards, caught the ball mid stride, and ran away from everyone for an 87-yard score.  It was a stunner for Essex.  Cordon’s point after tied the game 7-7, the momentum swing was evident on both sidelines.
   The Tiger defensive unit went to work on Essex, minus their tough short yardage guy Coulter, who was on the Hornet sideline with leg or ankle issues for the rest of the first half. The Tigers were without their starting fullback Court Fischer who was on the sideline in street clothes. Parker Gross would fill his spot. Looking like the Tigers of old, Middlebury marched  deep in the Essex red zone after a 62-yard drive and Jerry Niemo powered in for the score to put the Tigers ahead at the half 14-7 after Cordon’s point-after.  The fireworks had just begun.
    In the second half Essex quarterback Eli DiGrande, a senior who also plays on both sides of the ball, continued to run the option getting the Hornets momentum back.  The Tigers had other ideas and made the correct adjustments on defense.  Essex started the second half minus Coulter and Elliot Bouton.  Nick LaBonte continued to pick up some of the slack with hard running between the tackles.  
   The Tigers were relentless on offense in the third quarter and mixed their plays with hard runs and key short passes. A 63-yard drive consumed most of the third quarter clock.  Trey Kaufmann slashed in for a TD at the 3:14 mark.  The drive featured some hard running and a nice catch by Parker Gross to set up the score. Gordon added the extra point and the Tigers were pulling away 21-7.  
   With about 48-seconds left in the 3rd quarter the Tigers Jerry Niemo showed just how dangerous he can be as a runner.  Taking a hand off on the option, Niemo shook off tackles at the line of scrimmage, ran through the Essex secondary then ran away from everyone down the right sideline for a 61-yard TD.  Niemo displayed strength, power and speed with a good measure of determination thrown into his run for the goal line. The point was kicked and the Tigers were up 28-7.There was no quit in Essex.  Boutin scored at the 6:24 mark of the 4th quarter after an Essex drive to make it 28-13. Niemo blocked the point-after.
   The Tigers Parker Gross came right back with a big blast from the Essex 2.  The drive was highlighted by a flashy Gordon 43-yard kickoff return on the fake reverse and the score stood at 34-13.  That ended the scoring for Middlebury but the Hornets were not through by a long shot.
   DiGrande engineered an Essex drive to the Tiger 7-yard line.  At this point the Tigers were resting many of their first line troops. Coulter was back in the game for the rest of the way.  His touchdown made it 34-19 Tigers after the missed extra point. With the clock ticking, Essex scored again after stopping Middlebury on defense at the 1:34 mark of the 4th quarter.
   With just over a minute left, Boutin scored and Esssex converted a two point extra point.  It was now 34-27 Tigers. the ensuing on side kick was recovered by the Hornets at the Tiger 39-yard line.  
   With 10.8 seconds remaining and Essex out of time outs, DiGrande rolled back into the pocket and threw down the middle. The Tigers Chase Messner made a good read and made a good  read and  picked-off a pass to insure the Middlebury victory.  Tigers 34, Hornets 27. as time expired.
 Next up for Middlebury is Rice on Saturday afternoon, October 10th at Rice Memorial in South Burlington.

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