Redhawks Cook Rice

By Joe Cribari

CVU’s football Redhawks scored 17 unanswered points in the second half of Saturday’s game at Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington to beat Rice’s Green Knights 30-22. The winning score came with 4:34 left in the third quarter as Konnor Fleming took the keys and drove in from the 2-yard line between linemen Quinn Kropf and Mike Cribari to hand Rice its first loss of the season.

This contest was two games within a game. The first half belonged to Rice. The Green Knights came out with an arsenal of offensive weapons, including trading quarterbacks and trick plays that had the Redhawks defense on its heels. Rice’s defense was giving CVU’s offense grief as well.

The Redhawks defensive line started winning the battle in the second quarter’s waning moments. Cameron Fitzgerald, Ian Solomon and Eric Palmer began pressuring the Green Knight’s backs. Konnor Fleming, Ryan Fleming, Drew Nick, Derek Goodwin and Tyler Barnes started shutting down lanes, making tackles and applying intimidation. The half ended in wild back and forth possession changes including penalties, fumbles and an interception . . . . but one could sense things changing.

The second half was a new game; a new Redhawks team. CVU’s defense shut down Rice’s offense for the entire half. Period. Taylor Gingras started it off with an interception on the Green Knights’ first possession. “[Alex] Bonfigli, [Ryan] Nakhleh, [Brent] Carreiro all played well. We changed up the formations, blitzed up the middle,” Konnor Fleming said. “We came out second half. . . NOT one-dimensional,” J.P. Benoit said.

The Redhawks defense came through with the topper at the end of the third quarter. A swarm of Redhawks lead by Drew Nick caused a fumble that Fitzgerald grabbed and brought into the end zone. This was Fitzgerald’s second defensive touchdown for the season; the fourth in his varsity career. “That one was for Drew Nick, the school, the community and Coach,” Fitzgerald said.

CVU’s offense was on fire as well. “At halftime we shared some information,” according to left tackle Alec Distler, who had a couple of nice lead blocks. “First half, their linebackers shot through the midde. We figured out we could run to the outside,” Distler said. Fleming, Barnes, Benoit and company pounded the Green Knights. Konnor was a force with a dazzling rushing attack behind the offensive line, to which Fleming gave credit, naming each man. “Especially Kropf and [Dylan] Raymond,” Fleming said. “Oh, and Barnes’ lead blocking – he was incredible,” Konnor added.

J.P. Benoit scored twice in the first half on a 1-yard run and a four-yard pass from Fleming. Tucker Kohlasch kicked a 37-yard field goal in the third quarter that looked as if it would have been good from 50. Kohlasch was also three for three on kicks after touchdowns to complete CVU’s total.

Rice scoring came on the passing of Christian McCormick and Evan Healey. Patrick Colmenero caught one and Austin Robinson caught two. Colmenero also caught a pass for a 2-point conversion. Dan Bolger rushed for 2-pointer.

The Redhawks brought a huge contingent of boisterous fans that massed along the fence. “The fans coming out like they have really helps get us pumped,” Fitzgerald said.

The Redhawks road trip next takes them to Middlebury on Friday October 8, 2010 at 7:00 to play the undefeated Tigers in their home jungle. CVU beat Middlebury last year 7-0 in a defensive struggle. The Tigers currently sit atop Division II pending Monday’s matchup between Milton and Mount Mansfield. The Redhawks are now 4-0 in Division II; 4-1 overall.