SHANE BUFANO, for the Free Press

Barnes Seals CVU's Win

By Burlington Free Press staff writers

INT Return Secures Redhawks' Victory Over Lakers

Sophomore linebacker Tyler Barnes’ 62-yard interception return late in the fourth quarter helped Champlain Valley Union High School clinch a 23-14 victory over Colchester Saturday in a key Division II football contest between last fall’s title-game finalists. The victory lifted the Redhawks to 5-1 in D-II and 5-2 overall. The defending champion Lakers fell to 3-2 in the division (4-3 overall).

Barnes’ big play came with CVU clinging to a 16-14 lead and Colchester driving. On second down at the CVU 33-yard line, Barnes picked off the Colchester pass and ran it back 62 yards for the TD. Until that point, CVU quarterback Konnor Fleming and Colchester halfback Devon Grammo had been chewing up big chucks of turf in a battle of flashing feet.

Fleming carried 20 times for 166 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown jolt early in the second quarter that put CVU up 16-7. The Redhawks’ signalcaller also completed 5 of 11 passes for 83 yards, including a 27-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Taylor Gingras on the game’s first series.

On the ensuing kickoff, Grammo raced 86 yards for the score. Tim Palmer added the point-after and Colchester held a 7-6 lead. Grammo, a senior back, also carried 20 times for 144 yards and intercepted two passes on defense. Colchester got back to within 16-14 just before halftime, marching 92 yards following a fumble recovery by defensive tackle James Bean. Alex Kozlowski capped the drive on a 3-yard TD run with 1:05 left.

CVU’s Tucker Kohlasch also booted a 35-yard field goal in the first half.

See Joe Kropf's game pics...