Jacks Stomp on Cosmos, 38-0

By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
WINDSOR, Vt. — Windsor took the opening kickoff and marched 66 yards downfield for a touchdown setting the tone for a 38-0 win over Springfield in Vermont wildcard football action.

Springfield would answer the Windsor score with a Carson Clark 59-yard bomb to Tanner Gintoff that had head coach Todd Aiken thinking about a two-point conversion when tragedy struck. “We were hoping to carry the momentum from the game in week six into today when we tied them at the half, after that big play, we were right where I wanted us to be,” said Aiken. The Jacks’ Vance Martin decided otherwise and recovered a Cosmos fumble, killing that drive in the first of many big defensive plays for assistant coach Jamie Richardson’s defensive unit.

Windsor’s running game was having a tough time getting going with Springfield’s Cole Wright, Hunter Ferland and Clark standing their ground in the middle of the field, as both defenses were in control early. Big plays by Springfield’s Gintoff (interception) and Windsor’s Travis McAllister (sack) set the tone.

The Jack’s Logan Worrall ripped off a big gain then McAllister earned six yards the hard way as Windsor was firing off the ball. Brody Osgood began to find holes in the Cosmos defense then when McAllister took a hand-off for a sweep, he found pay-dirt to make it 15-0. Windsor’s defense once again took charge as Maison Fortin sacked Gintoff forcing a Springfield punt. Four Windsor plays later, Fortin went to the air and hit Rodger Petermann for a 19-yard touchdown making it 23-0 at the break. “We had an edge today, we had an incredible week of practice, and we were ready for them,” said Worall.

The Springfield defense opened the second half very loudly when Gintoff ripped away a fumble from Windsor deep in Yellow Jacket territory. A couple of Cosmos penalties gave Gintoff some room to throw, but McAllister made a tremendous play to grab a pick in the end-zone.

That turnover revved up the Windsor offense as big holes started to appear for the Jacks running backs. Gavin Martin blasted for 15 yards, then McAllister plowed over tacklers for 49 yards, setting up the eight-yard Martin score making it 30-0 midway into the third quarter. ‘We stepped it up today, we all knew what we needed to do, there was a sense of urgency all week and we brought that into the game today,” said Windsor lineman Bradley Bowers.

Springfield fought hard to get into the playoffs and is not a team that quits. “We have planted the seeds this year, this is a group that is ready to grow,” said Aiken. On the kickoff, Reece Harriman flew down the sidelines for a 63-yard return, but Bowers and McAllister registered back-to-back sacks then Anthony Cook’s interception in the end-zone took the wind out of Springfield’s sails.

The Yellow Jacket defense registered three interceptions, eight sacks and a near safety as Charles Palmer was just inches from getting the sack in the end-zone. “We played like we can play; we cleaned up our early mistakes and got better as the game wore on,” said Palmer.

Osgood would cap off the scoring on the day after a great block by Corey Lockwood sprung Osgood for 31 yards giving the defending state champions a 38-0 win.

“We got better than we were last week, and we need to keep doing that. We took ownership of our mistakes and made up for them. Right now, we are 0-0 and the most important two weeks of your lives are up next,” said Windsor coach Greg Balch.

Windsor will host Mount Abraham on Saturday at 1 PM in semi-final action.

“Windsor is just very good, we couldn’t get going, we made a few mistakes, and you just cannot against Windsor,” said Aiken.

Springfield’s senior lineman Cole Wright stated after the game,” I’m disappointed but we gave it our all. Being a lineman is great because I get to hit people. I love this game,” said Wright. “That kid is as tough as they come,” said Avery Bean when they played each other in Springfield earlier in the season.

Springfield finishes their season with a 3-6 record while winning three of their last five regular season games, including a huge come from behind win against Milton to get into the playoffs. The Cosmos will only graduate six players from this year’s team.