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By Ron P. Coderre
Only two football games were on the docket this weekend as the 2013 season moves toward traditional Thanksgiving Day contests. The two games resulted in very disparate results.
Quinebaug Pride staged late game heroics to force an overtime game against visiting Bullard Havens, picking up its 8th victory of the season in a nail biter 40-34. On the other end of the spectrum, Plainfield traveled to Woodstock for a rare noon time start and after getting off slowly won convincingly 34-0.
The win for the Pride began like a checker game with Bullard Haven scoring first only to have the home team Pride respond on a Raif Santerre 5-yard run. Bullard Haven then responded with another first period score and then took control, going to the locker room at halftime ahead 28-12.
Following halftime the Pride behind quarterback Tylor Genest (11-17-155 and three touchdowns) rallied to outscore the visitors 22-6 in the second half forcing the OT. The Pride took possession of the pigskin first in the extra stanza and used a Genest to sophomore Saige Louis 15-yard pass for the touchdown that would prove to be the eventual winning tally.
The one-two running back punch of John Sanderson (18-128) and Raif Santerre (15-95) proved effective once again, although coach Joe Asermelly unveiled a passing game that now gives the Pride’s Turkey Day opponent, Killingly something new to worry about.
In addition to Louis’ game winning catch, Benjamin Brissette caught touchdown passes of 27 and 44 yards. Brissette had four catches on the evening for 87 yards and Jeremee Perez pulled down six of Genest’s aerials for 53 yards and a two-point conversion, as the Pride raised its record to 8-2.
In Woodstock, Plainfield used a pair of offensive surges in shutting out the Centaurs. The Panthers erupted for 20 points in the 2nd stanza and 14 in the final quarter to ice the team’s fifth victory of the season.
Cody Alday led the way to victory, scoring three touchdowns. Two of his touchdowns came via the air on scoring tosses of 55 and 20 yards from quarterback Steve Jankowski. His third score came on an 11-yard run to paydirt.
The win puts the Panthers of Coach Pat Smith at 5-4 on the season with two games remaining on the schedule. Woodstock remains winless at 0-10 as it prepares for its Thanksgiving eve encounter with the Windham Whippets.
Extra Points
With his 128 yards rushing, Quinebaug Pride’s John Sanderson broke the 1000-yard barrier for the season. He’s at 1019 going into Thanksgiving Day…Raif Santerre, Sanderson’s running mate is a 971 on the season. Combined, the duo has galloped for 1990 yards…Pride QB Tylor Genest has scored in every game this season. He leads the area in scoring with 94 points, followed by Santerre with 86…The Pride win over Bullard Havens avenged last season’s 42-8 loss to the Bobcats…Plainfield unveiled another running back in the person of Kade Amster who scored the Panthers final touchdown against Woodstock…Panthers quarterback Steve Jankowski injured his hand in the second half and was replaced by Marcus Robinson…The Pride remains the last local team in the hunt for a playoff spot. They occupy the 9th spot (the first eight get in) behind Stonington. Despite Stonington’s loss to NFA the Bears’ strength of schedule could be the determining factor…Last week in Plainfield’s game against Central Falls, R.I., the Panthers concession stand caught fire. The blaze, which was extinguished quickly, did cause coach Pat Smith to call a timeout…Plainfield’s Andre Bergeron had a great day against Woodstock, registering two sacks, a fumble recovery, a blocked punt and a 20-yard run…Two games are on tap for this week. In unusual Thursday night contests, Plainfield entertains Jonathan Law at 6 p.m. and Killingly is a Stonington for a 6:30 p.m. start.
Putnam Town Crier Super Standings: Quinebaug Pride