Coginchaug Blue Devils Trifecta

 The Coginchaug Blue Devils Football squad completed a CRHS trifecta this week with their victory over the Sport and Medical Sciences Academy of Hartford.  All three sports, Boys Soccer, the Lady Devils Soccer squad and Football were victorious with their season openers. 

 The start of the game was in question given the weather forecast, but somehow they were able to fit the game in without a drop of rain or rumble of thunder.  SMSA drew first blood with a 69 yard punt return for a TD by Kadeem Johnson.  A two point conversion put the score at 0-8 early on.  The Blue Devils answered right back with a TD and 2 point conversion from Jake Ober(#15).  The first quarter ended tied 8 -8. 

 SMSA scored again at the start of the second quarter with a run from Ezequiel Ortiz.  SMSA was again successful with the 2 point conversion, score 8-16.  John Mormile (#34) answers back for the Blue Devils with an 11 yard TD.  Our conversion failed; score 14-16 going into halftime.

 Coming back from the halftime, Devon Rodrique (#13) puts up 6 on a pass from Blue Devils QB, Tyler Meeker (#3).  A 2 point conversion run from Jake Ober puts the Devils up 22-16.  What looked like the beginning a rout, Ober scored again to put the score at 28-16.  The Tigerhawks fought back with a QB run for a TD from Wilfredo Alicea, with a 2 point conversion from Ortiz, the score was 28-24.  Too close for comfort, the Blue Devils answer back with another run for a TD and conversion from Ober, score 36 to 26.  In what was becoming a theme, Alicea runs the ball 68 yards for a Tigerhawks TD.  With another 2 point conversion from Ortiz, score is 36-32 to end the 3rd quarter. 

 The Fourth quarter started with a touchdown run from Meeker.  The conversion failed, score is 42-32.  That gave the Blue Devils a little breathing room and really helped to win the game.  The clock could not run fast enough for the Coginchaug fans at that point.  In fact, good clock management from the Blue Devils coaching staff became critical and helped win the game.  Jake Ober also helped to lengthen the lead with another TD on a 14 yard run.  The conversion attempt was no good, score stood at 48-32. By this point, with overcast skies, it was getting harder to see the action.  The Tigerhawks, fighting against time, went to the air.  After a number of incomplete passes, their QB connected with Ortiz and he ran it in for the last of the SMSA touchdowns.  The conversion was no good, final score 48-38. 

 Great performances from the Blue Devils offense, defense and special teams.  There was even a 15 yard kickoff return from a left Tackle (#55) Bryan Paxton, who refused to be tackled.  It took almost the entire Tigerhawks squad to bring him to the ground.  Other highlights included multiple first downs from Captain Jack Granger (#10).  I lost count how many, but I was inspired to coin this phrase…  “When the team is in danger, send in Granger!!”   Granger had 10 carries for a total of 73 yards rushing.  Ober (#15) had 16 carries for a total of 91 yards rushing with 4 touchdowns.  Parker Tregoning (#22) had 7 carries for a total of 82 rushing yards.  John Mormile (#34) had 10 carries for a total of 52 yards rushing and 1 touchdown.  Captain Tyler Meeker (#3) had 5 carries for a total of 17 yards and 1 touchdown.  Meeker (#3) completed 7 of his 12 passes for 90 yards for a 58% completion average.  Team total was 48 carries for 315 total yards. 

 Our Cheerleaders were out in force handing out tee shirts and charging up the Coginchaug crowd.  The food both was open and manned by the Coginchaug Football Club.  Italian ices were a crowd favorite with almost 100% humidity.

 It was truly a battle in the swamp!! Toward the end, it was getting dark and hard to see, but the glow from the lights on the little league field helped a little. 

 Looking forward to another awesome season of Blue Devils Football.  GO BLUE DEVILS!!!