By Christopher Shaban
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
RUTLAND, Vt. — Windsor scored 22 points in the fourth quarter to break open a tough game with the defense forcing two big BFA turnovers to help Windsor earn a 35-21 win for their second consecutive undefeated championship season.
BFA drew first blood, but Windsor answered back with a Logan Worrall two-yard touchdown. Maison Fortin gave the Jacks the lead with a nifty hopping, sidestepping sideline run to end the half with Windsor leading 13-7.
“We are in a dogfight today, we need to play smart and wear them down,” said Jacks Head Coach Greg Balch at the break.
Windsor was looking to increase their lead when tragedy struck deep in BFA territory on the first series of the half. A Jacks fumble popped right into the hands of the Bullets’ Shaun Gibson and his 95-yard return tied the game 13-13. “We didn’t panic, we stayed with our game plan. It didn’t matter when we were down 7-0 or tied, we were patient and confident,” said Balch.
Worrall would score on the first play of the final quarter to put the Jacks up 21-13, then the Yellow Jacket defense got nasty. A big hit by Rodger Petermann got the Bullets attention and before you knew it, Travis McAllister scooped up a fumble and Windsor had all the momentum. “We stepped it up on defense, we could feel the game changing at that time and we needed to keep our foot on the gas,” said McAllister.
Fortin went to the air for a 30-yard gain to Gavin Martin, then it was Worrall again to give Windsor some breathing room 28-13 after Olivia MacLeay’s boot through the uprights. “We were smelling it,” said Worrall.
On the next BFA series, Charles Palmer delivered a big hit, and on the next play, pounced on another Bullet fumble as BFA was running out of time and gas. “It was my ball, nobody was going to get it except me,” said Palmer. Worrall would find the end zone for the third time pushing the lead to 35-13, as the Jacks sideline and big crowd knew this feeling before. “This feels phenomenal,” said Petermann as he raised three fingers for the three championships he has.
With time winding down, BFA would hit the end zone one last time as the Jack seniors made their way off the field for their final time. “I’m happy, this is a great feeling,” said Bradley Bowers as time ended, giving Windsor their second consecutive undefeated state championship.
Coach Balch was treated to an ice bucket shower before heading to receive the championship plaque and to address his team one final time. “This community is just incredible, the support from the parents, the town and the players’ desire to be the best is unmatched. Add to that this coaching staff that has been together for such a long time and is so good at what they do,” said Balch. “I love you,” he told the team in their final huddle.
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