By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
WESTMINSTER, Vt. — The Terriers made quick work of Mount Mansfield on Friday with a 48-14 win to improve to 8-0 on the season, but they have their eyes on a bigger prize. “We need perfection, every game, every play, we are not done,” said Bellows Falls senior Caden Haskell.
Before the game, 12 seniors along with their families made the trip onto the field for recognition and appreciation as the community does it the right way before a big crowd at Hadley Field. “This is so very special, I don’t think there is anything like this anywhere, what a great community and team,” said Jamison Nystrom.
As a purple cloud slowly drifted away after the pre-game ceremony, it was time for the Terriers. Nystrom put the Terriers in the lead with a 2-yard scamper plus the kick and it was 7-0 in short order. “The line on this team is incredible, they just push people out of the way,” said Nystrom.
Not only does Terriers Head Coach Bob Lockerby have a solid offensive unit, but the defensive bunch is also as good as any. Jaxon Clark made a tooth jarring hit then recovered the fumble which set up the Terriers second score. Walker James wasted no time chewing off chunks of yardage and his 5-yard blast made it 14-0. Three minutes later it was Haskell’s turn and his entry into the end zone gave Bellows Falls a comfortable 21-0 lead after the first quarter.
Bellows Falls is absolutely a running team, but Nystrom gave teams something to think about with playoffs starting next week as he connected with Eli Allbee for a 32-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 27-0.
Luke Subin-Billingsley of Mount Mansfield grabbed the ensuing kickoff at his own 25-yard line and when he stopped running, he had traveled 75 yards untouched to put the Cougars on the scoreboard 27-6, which didn’t set well on the Terriers sideline. Messier would respond immediately with a 49-yard kickoff return on the very next play setting up another Terriers score. A quarterback keeper by Nystrom resulted in a 34-yard score after following the blocks of Jake Moore and Peter Kamel. “We have fresh energy, there is nothing better than this feeling,” said Kamel.
After Clark recovered his second fumble of the half, it was Nystrom dropping back and connecting with James who lowered his shoulder and put tacklers on the ground as he raced 65 yards to give Bellows Falls a 41-6 lead heading into the break. “I want all of it and more,” said Clark.
With the clock in running time mode, the Terriers defense took over to open the second half with a near interception by Jesse Darell and a very loud sack by Moore. “We learned so much from last year’s team, we are still very hungry, and we have three more games to go,” said the senior.
The two teams traded scores late in the game with the highlight coming on a kickoff return of 62 yards by the Terriers Cole Moore making it 48-14.
“I was worried that we’d have more yards in the air than on the ground,” said Lockerby with a grin across his face after the Terriers finished singing their school song. “This team is so unselfish, the only thing that matters is getting the win. We are the run-first team, but tonight Jamison did some good things and made good decisions.”
The Terriers will host a first-round playoff game against Spaulding on Friday at 7 PM. Bellows Falls and Spaulding met October 8th with the Terriers taking a hard fought 62-35 win. “We have to get better, this is playoff time and if you lose, you’re done. We’re 0-0, we need to step it up a notch and play our best football of the year starting right now,” said Lockerby.
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