BA vs. Norwich University

Sunday saw the Bridgton Football team get on track with a 21-0 shutout of the JV unit from Norwich University.  After a rough stretch against Ivy League teams Brown and Dartmouth, the Wolverine offense really got itself in gear while the defense found ways to keep the Cadets in check all day.

The opening drive of the game was a balance attack that featured a pair of first downs before Chris Mullins (Centerville, VA) found Troy Pelletier (Manchester, NH) on a 37 yard touchdown pass.  Pelletier made an especially impressive play, leaping over the Cadet DB to haul in the pass at the goal line and drive himself into the end zone.  The ensuing Norwich drive ended quickly on a three and out thanks to a TFL by Levon Atkins (Greenville, SC) and a sack by David Pratt (Woburn, MA).

After a short Norwich punt, Bridgton took over on its own 40 and immediately went on the march.  Malik Lee (Mashpee, MA) dashed off tackle for a 6 yard gain on first down, one of three consecutive runs that resulted in a first down past mid field.  Mullins again found Pelletier, this time for a 13 yard first down catch followed immediately by a Mullins to Anthony Garron (Danvers, MA) catch for 12.  Lee took the next handoff 14 yards to the Norwich 9, where Mullins reconnected with Garron for a 6 yard TD pass two plays later.  As the teams came back up the field, Bridgton had established the tone for the day and gone up 14-0.

Yet, Norwich was not to go quietly.  The Cadets' defense stiffed noticeably in the second quarter and was not to be breeched again until Jhalen Bein Amie (Boston, MA) slashed a weaving 13 yard run late in the 3rd quarter to provide the last score for BA.  The Wolverine defense was stout all day and repeatedly turned away Norwich drives.  Svenn Jacobson (Cumberland, ME) led the way with 13 tackles and an INT.  Joe Lombardo (Somers, NY) added a sack, a forced fumble, and an INT of his own.  While Nate Dunn (Marshfield, MA) added a pick of his own.  Upfront, the handy work of Dylan Owen (Somers, NY), John Strezo (Arlington, MA), Deion Doctor (Bedford Hills, NY), Josh Brown (Etobicoke, Ontario), and Joe Eitner (Milford, PA) made life very difficult on the Cadet offense.  Of special note were the efforts of Shamis Henry (Flemington, NJ) who added to his highlight film with by splitting two blockers, destroying the handoff in the backfield, and causing a fumble that Owen recovered.  It was truly one of the best defensive plays of the season.