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- Category: Past Issues
Preps drop
a pair of
heartbreakers
By Ron P. Coderre
Football –
Hyde School-Woodstock came up a mere 6 inches short of tying its football game against St. Luke’s as time ran out on the Wolfpack’s most successful football season in the history of the program. Hyde lost a heartbreaker 28-26 in the Dan Rorke Bowl played on the campus of Kingswood-Oxford School in W. Hartford.
The outcome of the contest came down to the final minute of play as both teams battled evenly the entire game. With the Saints leading 28-20 and in possession of the pigskin with about one minute to play, were unable to run out the clock, giving Hyde one more offensive series. The Wolfpack took advantage of the opportunity.
Dan Palmer, playing quarterback out of the team’s spread offense, hit receiver Tyquan Ekeguiba with three consecutive passes, the final aerial a 30-yard touchdown toss as the clock ran out. Down two points, the Wolfpack of coach Sean Saucier went for the two-point conversion to their ‘bread and butter” back Jay Watkins. His effort was stopped 6 inches shy of tying the score and ended the team’s season.
The Dan Rorke Bowl contest dedicated to Rorke who was athletic director and football coach at Brooks School from 1984 to 2004, saw St. Luke’s jump out to a 14-7 halftime advantage. Hyde’s touchdown came on a Watkins eight yard scamper.
The Wolfpack came out of the locker room fired up with victory on its mind. They outscored their opponents 13-6 in the third quarter. Watkins hit pay dirt again, this time on a 6 yard run and a Palmer 6 yard touchdown accounted for the other third-period score.
Both teams entered the game with identical 7-1 regular season records.
The boys’ varsiey team finished its regular season last weekend with a key win of 55-28 over the Hyde-Bath squad.
Basketball –
The Putnam Science Academy basketball team ventured to New Haven for its opening game of the season. The Mustangs squared off against New England power Wilbraham & Monson at the National Showcase Tournament on the campus of Albertus Magnus College. The Mustangs came up just short, losing a nail biter 58-57, squandering a big halftime advantage in what was described as “the most exciting game of opening day.”
PSA was up 34-24 at intermission and in control of its destination. Wilbraham & Monson chipped away at the lead but the Mustangs managed to maintain a four-point advantage with 50 ticks of the clock remaining in the contest. They were unable to stand prosperity, as missed free throws and a turnover with five second remaining doomed the team’s effort at a huge upset.
“The kids played hard. I’m very happy with the effort against one of the best teams in New England. I feel that the experience gained this evening will help us down the road,” said a disappointed coach Tom Espinosa.
The winning basket came with one tick on the clock. Goodluck Okonoboh of Wilbraham & Monson lived up to his name, Goodluck, as he had the good fortune of receiving a pass off a steal for the final bucket of the hard fought contest.
In building its 10-point first half advantage, Jemal Mosely and Mairega Clarke paced the Mustangs’ offense. Mosely finished the game as the Scientists’ high score with 23 points. Clarke added 13 points and five rebounds.
In the second half, University of Dayton bound Dayshon Smith took over offense. He ended the game with 16 points, six assists and two steals.
The loss puts the Mustangs at 0-1 on the season as they prepare for an upcoming game at Post in a 6 p.m. contest Nov. 26.