ESSEX, Vt. — The Hartford High football team only had the lead for one minute Friday night, but fortunately for the Hurricanes, it was the minute that mattered, as they came from behind to defeat defending VPA Division I state champion Essex, 30-21.
Down by seven on what looked to be the final drive of the game, Hartford junior quarterback Brayden Trombly connected with Evan Lynds for a 41-yard reception, which set up a one-yard run by senior Sean Keliher with 41.6 seconds left. Trombly then hit junior Ezra Mock for a two-point conversion and a one-point lead.
Mock’s heroics weren’t done — he intercepted Hornets quarterback Charlie Bowen on the ensuing possession, then added a 45-yard touchdown run to cement the victory.
“That’s kind of the philosophy of the offense,” Hartford coach Matt Trombly told the Burlington Free Press. “You run, run, run, and then you get everybody playing the run then you take an opportunity when it comes.”
Brayden Trombly carried six times for 53 yards and a touchdown, and completed six of 14 passes for 87 yards. Junior running back Brody Tyburski had 51 yards on 13 carries, and Keliher rushed 12 times for 34 yards and two scores. Mock ran the ball eight times for 61 yards, including the game’s final touchdown.
The Hurricanes (1-1) host Brattleboro next Friday night.
MANCHESTER — The visiting Raiders fell to 0-2 and have been outscored by a combined 103-6.
Lebanon trailed 14-0 before Manchester West ran an offensive play and was down 27-0 after a quarter.
The Blue Knights scored touchdowns by run, pass, kickoff return and fumble return. Lebanon fumbled seven times and lost four of them.
Freshman Mena Antonious led the Raiders with 39 yards in 15 carries. Senior quarterback Morgan Melendy ran 12 times for 20 yards and completed his team’s lone pass attempt for 4 yards. Lebanon dressed 17 players and finished the game with two substitutes, one more than was available at the end of last week’s opener at Laconia.
Lebanon is at Hollis-Brookline on Friday night.
HANOVER — The Bears moved to 2-0 and will travel to Milford on Friday night.
SWANZEY, N.H. — The Cardinals fall to 0-2 and will play their first home game of the season Friday night at Barnes Park against Campbell.
PEMBROKE, N.H. — Bears sophomore Josie Laabs popped in a solid crossing pass from sophomore Maggie Higgins five minutes into overtime for the thrilling 1-0 over Pembroke.
“We had not played a game in 10 days, and this was our first grass game of the season, so I was pleased with their play. And we are all obviously happy with the win,” Hanover coach Jean Essex said. “The girls played hard together and came together nicely as play continued. They never gave up and showed true grit.”
Essex noted the strong midfield play of sophomore Hailey Pastel, Higgins and sophomore Sophia Costa. Senior Reilly Loughman had seven saves in goal.
Hanover (2-0) travels to Bow on Tuesday.
LEBANON — An unassisted goal by Allie Hussey of Kennett was the difference in this one.
“We had good offensive pressure toward the end of the game, just need to get that started a bit sooner,” Lebanon coach Amanda Valliere said.
Lebanon (2-2) travels to Hartford on Tuesday.
WINDSOR — Freshman Mackenzie Kleefisch had the Yellowjackets only goal of the game and junior Sydney Perry had six saves.
“We played really hard tonight until the very end of the game,” Windsor coach Blake Wardell said.
Windsor (1-2) is home against Otter Valley on Monday.
NEW IPSWICH — The game’s only score came off a corner that deflected off a Mascoma player.
“Tough way to lose,” Mascoma coach Danielle Pushee said. “We did not play as well as we can and I hope we can pick it up on Wednesday and these girls can play like they are capable of.”
Mascoma (2-2) travels to White Mountain on Wednesday.
CLAREMONT — The Cardinals had goals from five different players to even their record at 2-2.
Junior Izabela Eitapence opened the scoring in the first quarter with an assist from freshman Taylor Bell, who scored the second goal with an assist from senior Richelle Girard. Just as the half ended, junior Cameron Ferland scored on a penalty corner to give Stevens a 3-0 lead
In the third quarter freshman Lilly Clark scored early, assisted by junior Elise Smith and that was followed by a Girard goal with an assist from freshman Elizabeth Benware.
“Great team effort tonight by all players,” Stevens coach Patty Deschaine said.
Stevens plays at Monadnock on Monday.
LEBANON — An unassisted goal by senor Mary Rainey at the 46 minute broke a 1-1 tie and junior Isabel Hamilton added an insurance goal at the 79 minute mark for Lebanon.
The Raiders opened the scoring on a goal by Delaney Deshane in the sixth minute off a corner kick from Rainey but the Cavaliers tied it in the 20th minute in the first half. Deshane assisted on Hamilton’s goal. Senior Maddy Newton had nine saves.
Lebanon (3-1) is at Pelham on Tuesday.
WEST CANAAN — The Royals got the first goal but with just 11 players, the team tired as the game went on.
“We scored early but then made some mistakes and got tired,” said Coach Mark Rockwood. “But we move the ball really well in the final third of the game.”
The score could have been worse for Mascoma were it not for a phenomenal game in goal by junior Natalee Pettersen who made 22 saves.
Junior Emily Seiler had a goal an an assist for Mascoma who also got a goal from senior Rhiannon Stone and an assist from Kayli Staplefeld.
Mascoma (0-4) travels to Fall Mountain on Tuesday.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — The Hurricanes drop to 1-2 with the loss but coach Jeff Acker said his young team is learning and working hard.
“We’ve got a young group this year and we’re learning to play on the fly,” Acker said. “The kids are really working hard, and they understand that these early season games are all part of the process. Despite the score, there was no quit today and because of that we’re better at the end of the game than we were at the start.”
Hartford (1-2) travels to Springfield on Thursday.
NEWPORT — The Tigers are now 3-1 and will be home against rival Stevens on Tuesday.
WOODSTOCK — The Wasps took the lead for good on a header at the far post by senior Alec Small off a cross from sophomore Mark van der Schoot for its opening game win.
Junior Ezra Lockhart’s unassisted goal inside the penalty box with 15 minutes remaining gave Woodstock some breathing room. Lockhart opened the scoring on a cross from senior Declan McCullough. Green Mountain tied it before the half ended.
“A win is always a good way to start the season,” Woodstock coach Rob Stainton said. “Green Mountain, as ever, were tough to break down, but the boys stuck to their task to take the win.”
FAIR HAVEN, Vt. — Senior Nolan McMahon scored on a free kick off a defender from six yards out to break a scoreless tie in the 71st minute of play.
Four minutes later junior Gabe Guillette scored on a breakaway assisted by sophomore Cavan Benjamin to seal the win for the Hurricanes. Senior Blaine Gour had three saves for Hartford.
“We finished off a tough week with a second road win,” Hartford coach Kevin Guilbault said. “The team is happy to win but is not satisfied despite being 3-0. They understand there is lots of room for improvement.”
Hartford is home to Thetford on Thursday.
ORFORD — Josiah Welch had two goals for the Raptors and Will Knowles and Derrek Vogelein a goal each in a rematch of the 2021 VPA Division IV championship game, which was won by MSJ. Carter Bacon had five saves.
“The boys showed great resilience after the Wednesday loss,” Rivendell coach Kevin Brooker said.
NEWPORT — Lebanon sophomore Ben Britton was the top match medalist at Friday’s three-team match, shooting the best round of the day with a 40 at the par 35 Newport Golf Club.
Senior Roy Shapard, also a match medalist, was a shot behind at 41 as Lebanon won the meet over Pelham and Kearsarge. Seniors Dawson Bates, Sean Miller and Cesar Salcedo all had a 44 and senior Sam Bates a 45.
Lebanon plays at Beaver Meadow in Concord on Tuesday.
Results: Lebanon 79, Pelham 66, Kearsarge 51
MANCHESTER — The Cardinals finished second in a three-team match with 57 points, five more than Plymouth.
Senior Cedric Allen led Stevens with a 42 on the par-34, nine hole course at the Derryfield Country Club. Sophomore Aubree Herzog (45) and Ian Gersbergy (46) also factored in Stevens scoring with Ellie Girard and Lydia Redman who tied with 54.
“Stevens with a huge win over Plymouth today. Plymouth was just ahead of them in the standings,” Stevens coach Ryan Seaver said. Cedric Allen, Aubree Herzog and Ian Gersberg played some of their best golf of the year. It was a great day for the Cardinals.”
Results; Derryfield 90, Stevens 57, Plymouth 52
Stevens’ next match is on Sept. 19th at the Claremont Country Club.
HANOVER — The Bears drop to 2-1 and will welcome Laconia on Thursday.