By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CASTLETON, Vt. — Vermont was knocking on the door with only a few ticks left on the clock looking to tie the game during the 69th Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl. But a spectacular defensive play by Lebanon’s Justin Decario jarred the ball loose from Rutland’s Slade Postemski deep in New Hampshire territory to end the game, giving the Granite Staters an exciting 7-0 win with only 14 seconds remaining.
“I am so excited and nervous at the same time,” said Windsor’s Austin Gauld as he was the last player introduced in the pre-game ceremony. Newport’s Devyn Heino and Springfield’s Sam Presch were on the field for the opening kickoff as the huge crowd was treated to some awesome performances from our local players. “This was so different to the regular teams we play. These guys were good and so tough, it was hard nose football like I’ve never played before,” said Windsor’s Dalton Clifford, who played the majority of the snaps on the defensive line. “Our locker room was strong and focused, we all knew what we had to do,” said Fall Mountain’s Luke Gay.
A defensive war took place on the boiling turf at Castleton University, with temperatures above 90 degrees. “I am so excited and full of emotions,” said Presch before the game had even begun as he was one of 11 local players who were chosen to play. “Coach Aiken told me to be ready for a call and when I got it Sunday night, I couldn’t get here quick enough.”
With lots of back-and-forth possessions, hard hits, turnovers, and good old fashion smash mouth football, New Hampshire took the lead late in the second quarter courtesy of a 26-yard touchdown air strike. Aidan Washington of Londonderry zipped a bullet to Sanborn Regional’s Kevin Kolodziej who went high for the grab. That catch was one of only five total on the day, with 15 attempts from both sides combining for a total of 54 yards.
“Today was just incredible, the time here with such a great group of players and what this game is all about is something I’ll never forget,” said the Terriers’ Jon Terry.
In a game with few big-time highlights, the most exciting play of the day that had the stadium on their feet featured some local flavor. With Bellows Falls’ Pat Barbour moving plies of red shirts off the line, Windsor’s Ben Gilbert busted free and shook off a would-be tackler in the shadows of his own goal posts, with eyes set for pay-dirt. As the noise level increased with the fans, Gilbert was racing down the middle of the field for 69 yards on the longest play of the day. “I never even heard him, my legs were getting a bit wobbly and all of a sudden I felt the hit,” said Gilbert. Fall Mountain’s Brady Elliott would catch up with Gilbert at the 11-yard line for a touchdown saving tackle. “I just ran as fast as I could, I didn’t think I’d catch him but I’m so glad I did,” said Elliott. That would end up being a game saving tackle but there were some anxious moments very late in the game.
As time was winding down, Vermont needed to score, and a missed New Hampshire field goal gave the ball to Vermont late. Enter a pile of our local players. Bellows Falls’ Terry was under center with his teammate Barbour on the line and a familiar backfield of Gilbert and Jed Lober. Mix in Presch and Jeb Mornier while across the way stood Gay and Elliott.
The Green Mountain drive began when Lober busted off a six-yard gain then smashed his way for more yards on fourth down to give them hope. Terry hit Presch down the sidelines for another gain, before Terry scampered down to the 27 with a keeper. Vermont had New Hampshire on their heels as excitement in the stadium rose with the clock under a minute and the Green Mountain team on the move.
Vermont opted to go with Ben Serrantonio at Quarterback, who spotted Postemski open in the flat with single coverage on fourth down. The throw was on target and when Decario reached to wrap up the Vermont player of the year, the ball popped out and danced harmlessly out of bounds short of the first down marker as the New Hampshire celebration began with 14 seconds showing on the clock, securing a win.
“Our defense was so good, Vermont was big and strong, but we did what we had to do to get the win, this feels incredible,” said Elliott after the game.
“What an honor to play in this game especially with my teammates and against kids I’ve played with since pee wee football in Bellows Falls,” said Jed Lober.
“This was the gutsiest performance I have ever seen, this was pure grit,” said New Hampshire Head Coach Chris Childs of Lebanon.
This game was all about the run as New Hampshire rushed 43 times for 143 yards, while the Green Mountain boys racked up 144 yards on 34 attempts. New Hampshire held the ball nine minutes longer. New Hampshire converted five of 11 times on third down, while Vermont kept the chains moving only once in eight attempts.
There was a total of six fumbles, six penalties and zero punts. The teams combined for 341 total yards on 93 plays.
Gilbert led the way with 94 yards on six carries while Lober pounded his way to 29 yards on nine carries for Vermont.
“This was so much fun, our defense was so good and held when we had to,” said Newport’s Heino.
This was the second year in a row that New Hampshire has shut out Vermont, and now holds a 50-16-2 advantage. There was no game in 2020.
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