By Dan Barile
Eagle Times Correspondent
WESTMINSTER, VT — It’s not often that you see a team possess the football for an entire quarter. On Monday, Oct. 9, the Bellows Falls Terriers did exactly that in their junior varsity football game against the Burr and Burton Bulldogs.
Bellows Falls received the opening kickoff and proceeded to run the ball on its first 12 plays for a total of 36 yards. Facing 4th and 12 on the first play of the second quarter, the Terriers pitched the ball to running back Andrew Goyette.
However, instead of running the ball, Goyette came to a halt and threw the ball downfield. The ball looked like it might fall into the hands of the intended receiver, but a Burr and Burton defensive back was able to knock the ball down at the last moment to force a turnover on downs.
Following the lengthy opening drive, Burr and Burton quickly took control of the game.
It took the Bulldogs just over three minutes to complete a 65-yard touchdown drive. Jackson Johnston scored on a 7-yard run on a sweep to the left. The following play was one of the most unique two-point conversions I’ve ever witnessed.
After faking the extra point attempt, the holder rolled right and threw the ball into the end zone. It looked like the pass was going to be knocked down by a Terriers defender, but instead, the ball was deflected directly to Bulldogs offensive lineman, Zach Parker. Parker caught the ball at the three-yard line and rumbled into the end zone to give Burr and Burton an 8-0 lead with 6:38 remaining until halftime.
Burr and Burton forced a quick four and out on the next drive and took over from the Bellows Falls 25-yard line. On the second play of the drive, Sam Dowd connected on a short pass to Spencer Sheldon who raced his way down the sideline for a 27-yard touchdown. Luke Miosek added the extra to give the Bulldogs a 15-0 lead with 2:28 left in the first half.
On the opening drive of the second half, Rylan Ernst pounced on a fumbled pitch to regain possession for the Terriers.
Bellows Falls was unable to capitalize on the turnover, which led to the Bulldogs quickly extending their lead after a 45-yard touchdown from Miles Treske to Lorenzo Foley. Miosek added another extra point to give Burr and Burton a 22-0 lead with 3:15 to go in the third quarter.
With Burr and Burton looking to extend their lead to four scores, Stefan James came through with a big hit, which forced a fumble inside the Terriers 5-yard line. Wyatt Whidden dove on the loose ball to regain control for Bellows Falls.
After Burr and Burton added another touchdown to extend its lead to 28-0, Bellows Falls started what would be their final possession at their own 35-yard line. Bryer Barnett and Whidden combined for several tough runs between the tackles as the Terriers marched down the field. Barnett finished the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run with 29 seconds left in the game. Burr and Burton earned a 28-6 victory after an unsuccessful two-point conversion by Bellows Falls.
“Our running backs ran downhill well today,” Bellows Falls Assistant Coach Shawn Burke said.
Burke highlighted the play of Barnett and Ernst, along with the leadership of quarterback Declan Lisai. He also commended the Terriers for battling against a Division 1 program with about twice as many players.
Barnett led Bellows Falls with 16 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown.
Bellows Falls’ next game is on Monday, Oct. 16, at Lebanon before they close out the season at home on Monday, Oct. 23, against Brattleboro.
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