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Tigers Hold Off Essex 21-13

Tuesday September 26, 2017

By Mike Cameron

   These two have been going at it since their red hot Division 2 days way back when.  Recently they split a pair in 2016 with the Tigers earning a berth in the playoffs and a final game in the Semi-finals against Hartford.
   The Tigers were back at Doc Collins for more “home cookin” and some new found confidence after taking Saint Johnsbury, all their size, and all their talent to the brink in a loosing effort 9-7 the previous week.   The Tigers came into game four at 1 and 2 still looking for some offensive punch that had eluded them in the previous two games against Hartford and Saint J. where they were only able to ring up 14 all purpose points total.  The Tigers defense had given up a total of 65 points in three games so far this year.  The mid-way point of the season would be played in near perfect conditions on an immaculately manicured natural grass playing surface before a packed house on Homecoming Night. Middlebury got the ball rolling early when quarterback Cody Pomainville reeled off a 41-yard keeper off right guard.  He was run out of bounds at the Essex 2-yard line.  Sheldrick scored and  Jack Donohue kicked the point to make it 7-0 Tigers with 9:10 left in the first quarter.  Both teams were plagued with fumbles in the first half.  Tiger defensive tackle Jaro Perera, a tri-captain, made up for much of this with a great game on defense for Middlebury.  He led the charge and Essex was held in check for most of the first half.
   Late in the second quarter Pomainville drove his team deep  into the Essex red-zone and spied junior Zach Dunn on a crossing route in the back of the end zone for a score.  The pass was right on the money and again Donahue’s kick was good.  Tigers led at the half 14-0.
Hall Of Fame Members Named
At half-time, the Middlebury Union High School Alumni Association presented members of the 1967-68 Tiger's Football Team to the big hometown crowd and this year's Hall Of Fame inductees were:
Linda Andrews of Bristol, Randy Sabourin of Syracuse New York, and the late Dave Sears of Cornwall.
   The second half saw the Hornets mount a furious come-back led by their stellar all purpose back Jordan Hines.  The  senior put the team on his back and they were off to the races.  Hines also shined on defense.   the Tigers would not yield a go-ahead score as Essex posted two scores including a 45-yard bomb Hines to Anthony Hope on the halfback option but Essex missed one of the points after when the kick went wide.
  At 14-13 and Essex continuing to challenge,  Middlebury was able to seal the deal with a fourth quarter drive and touchdown of their own.  It proved to be the winner  21-13 after recovering an Essex on side kick attempt.  The Tigers are now 2-2  and will be at Rutland this Friday night to take on Rutland's Raiders now 1-3 after sustaining  a loss to Hartford 52-40.  92-points scored.  Not much defense was seen in that one.     

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