By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
EAST MONTPELIER, Vt. — After last week’s one-point defeat to Lyndon, Bellows Falls rebounded to earn a convincing 33-13 victory over the U-32 Raiders.
The early going was reminiscent of last week’s season-opener with the Terriers allowing a long touchdown pass to open the scoring. Charlie Fitzpatrick hit Elliot Caswell in stride for a 76-yard score to give the Raiders the initial advantage.
Bellows Falls was quick to respond after a long kickoff return by Patrick Connors put the purple in white in U-32 territory. Three plays later, the Terriers were in the endzone following a 2-yard run by Eli Allbee. Tristan Boylan added the extra point to give Bellows Falls a 7-6 edge with 3:23 remaining in the first quarter.
The Terriers added to their lead on the ensuing drives with a couple of long touchdowns. After opening the game with 11 consecutive running plays, Bellows Falls caught U-32 off-guard with a 57-yard scoring strike from Allbee to Will Hallock. The Terriers went to the air again on the following drive as halfback Carson Clark connected with Patrick Connors for a 49-yard touchdown.
With the momentum beginning to tip in the Terriers favor, U-32 executed a 10-play scoring drive to cut the deficit to 19-13 before halftime.
As the Raiders remained within striking distance, Bellows Falls came out in the second half and played their brand of football to perfection.
Connors got things going for the Terriers with a 73-yard touchdown run on the third play after intermission. U-32 looked like they might respond with a score of its own before Allbee intercepted a pass in the endzone to preserve the Terriers two-score lead with 6:25 remaining in the third quarter.
Bellows Falls dominated the game on the ground the rest of the way, allowing the Raiders only one possession over the final 18 minutes. Allbee added another rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 33-13, and Jaden Bazin made a spectacular leaping interception to seal the victory for the Terriers.
Patrick Connors had a big day for Bellows Falls with 141 yards rushing, 49 yards receiving, and two touchdowns. Carson Clark added 102 yards rushing, 49 yards passing, and a passing touchdown for the Terriers.
Bellows Falls (1-1) will host North Country (0-2) on Friday at 7 p.m. in a rematch of last season’s Division 2 semifinals.
