By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
LACONIA — There was no doubt that Fall Mountain football has returned with a parking lot full of eager fans, cars decorated with the Wildcat colors and an anticipation of their first ever state title in the air.
That optimism grew even stronger when the Wildcats grabbed a 7-6 lead in a physical battle on the turf at the Bank of New Hampshire stadium.
“We knew they would be ready,” said Somersworth coach Jeremy Lambert. “They just knocked off the best team in Division IV last week and we did not take them lightly, everyone knew they were for real.”
In the end it was Somersworth who danced with the championship plaque for the first time since 1997 behind Calvin Lambert’s five touchdown day with a 40-13 win in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.
A very good Hilltopper defense and a relentless ground game was the recipe for a Somersworth win as the third quarter was one the Wildcats would like to forget as a close game changed very quickly in the span of 10 minutes.
Somerswotth received the opening kickoff and plowed downfield looking for an early score with an attack completely on the ground. After putting 76 yards behind them and facing a fourth down on the 4 yard line, the Wildcats Max Vogel blasted through and dropped Jeff DeKorne giving Fall Mountain the ball. Luke Gay (8/23 for 159 yards) went to work for the Wildcats hitting Brady Elliott on a slant picking up a quick 12 yards then Gay carried two defenders on his back for another 11 yards before the Somersworth defensive line started to flex their muscle and ended the Fall Mountain drive.
“They are good, they just kept at us the whole day” said Fall Mountain senior Quinn Healy.
Luck was on the Somersworth side as a fumble ended up right back in their hands on their next drive which ended with Mr. Lambert’s 2-yard score and an early 6-0 lead as the Hilltoppers dropped the ball three times and pounced on it each time in their first two drives but Fall Mountain would respond in a big way.
“Nobody expected us to be here but us and we we gave it our all,” said Fall Mountain senior Brady Elliott. “We love to play this game.”
Starting on their own 34 yard line, Gay would grab 5 yards with a run then an 8-yard reverse run by Devore had the Hilltoppers defense scrambling. Gay would drop back two plays later and zipped a spiral into Elliott’s hands in the middle of the field.
“That play was there in the last game we played them and it worked again today,” said Elloitt as he raced 60 yards to pay-dirt while Fostyer Willett added the extra point to put Fall Mountain in the lead 7-6.
The juggles kept following Somersworth on the next drive forcing a punt but on the next Fall Mountain possession, tragedy happened. The Hilltopper defense flew in from the edges and smothered Gay in the end zone and a strip sack was recovered by Blayne Belanger and suddenly all the Fall Mountain momentum was drained away with Somersworth taking a 12-7 lead late in the first half. Fall Mountain had an opportunity to cut into the lead when Gay caused a Somersworth fumble which Elliott recovered but with the wind in their face a 45-yard field goal attempt was short as the half ended.
The third quarter was where things changed quickly but started well for FM when Farnham fell on a Somersworth fumble. A few plays later, Gay was under pressure and was spun around by two Hilltopper defenders as the pass was on it’s way and ended up in the arms of Lambert. His pick six opened the door for a 22-point Somersworth explosion in the span of 10 minutes. That 30-yard return for a score was just the beginning as Lambert would blast in two yards for another score then pushed would be tacklers to the ground with a 51-yard touchdown run on their next possession and suddenly it was 34-7 entering the final quarter.
Fall Mountain’s pride accounted for a final Wildcat score as Gay would find the speedy sophomore Devore for an 11-yard touchdown in the closing moments.
“The season has been a grind but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” said Gay after the game when all the awards were handed out and the Wildcats met one last time under the goalposts. “This team always believed in ourselves and to make it to the championship game says a lot about our character and determination.”
“The pride I have in each and every one of you is just incredible, you pushed yourselves every practice, and game and you have set the tone for future Fall Mountain success,” said Orion Binney after the game. “This doesn’t change anything, this is a great team and your hard work got you here today”
As the Fall Mountain team headed toward the hillside packed with Fall Mountain supporters, the other side of the field was just relieved to grab the win.
“Make no mistake, this game was for real. The final result means nothing. They have my respect,” said Lambert after the game. “I expect to see them again.”
Lambert’s dad is the coach and was a member of the 1997 championship team.
“I need to change all my passwords from 1997 to 2021,” joked the elder Lambert after the game. “We’re not a fancy team, we just run the ball and try and create turnovers, luckily today we accomplished those things and beat a very dangerous Fall Mountain team.”
The Wildcats finish the season with a 6-4 record and their second appearance in the championship game in the last three years.
“The scoreboard doesn’t change a thing. I think this team is perfect,” said coach Richard Boone after the game. “You are my family and I love you all.”
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