Redhawks Fans Rock the Red on the Road

By Joe Cribari

The intensity was tangible as the stands filled up at Essex High School where the Redhawks suffered their first loss of the 2010 season this past Friday night. Although a loss is never easy, this was an exciting game in which Redhawks fans showed their colors and made themselves heard. Chants from fans in the bleachers of “KON-nor FLEM-ing” and “ER-ic PAL-mer” were heard throughout the evening. It was loud. The love from the students making the road game was electric.

Essex came on strong and fast. On the opening kickoff, the Hornet’s Mike Maloney took the ball past every Redhawk on the field but one. CVU kicker Tucker Kohlasch showed that he can think fast for the second week in a row, making the touchdown-saving tackle.

Essex jumped to an early 14-0 lead, and bad fortune for the Redhawks came in the 2nd quarter as quarterback Konnor Fleming had to leave the game with an ankle injury. However, Konnor first managed to score what would turn out to be the only CVU touchdown of the game with a nice 39 yard keeper. Kohlasch’s extra point was good.

With both backup quarterbacks out with injuries, Coach Provost turned to Derek Goodwin to fill in for Fleming. As running back / defensive back turned quarterback, Derek played tough and gave an impressive effort. “We played OK with the people we had,” Derek said afterwards. “We just came up short against a good team.” Derek and the Redhawks stood tall - making plays, showing heart and remaining poised all night long. The Redhawks offensive line rose to the call and gave Goodwin time to execute. And the fans cheered on.

After Fleming’s injury and a quick Essex score, the character of Goodwin and CVU’s offense was displayed in their following drive. This drive included several penalty flags and a fumble – a drive that in real time was much longer than the 4+ minutes that ticked off the clock. When the dust settled, a 37 yard Kohlasch field goal put another 3 points up for the Redhawks. Kohlasch provided the final CVU points with another 37 yard field goal with just over 7 minutes remaining in the game.

On defense, the Redhawks had their hands full against the Hornets’ screen. Key tackles by Goodwin, Taylor Gingras, J.P. Benoit, Tyler Barnes and Brent Carreiro may have prevented additional touchdowns for Essex. Dale Conger, Cameron Fitzgerald, Crawford Morris and Eric Palmer pressured the quarterback. Morris and Palmer each got through for a sack. Late in the game, CVU’s defense continued to play solid with a notable tackle by Michael Fuller. The game clock running down, the Hornets backed up on their own 10 yard line; steam coming from the facemasks, this Redhawk team did not give up . . . . and the fans cheered on.

The Hornets’ scoring came on pass plays, as quarterbacks Ryan Mitchell and Joey Picard connected with Mike DiMambro, Jordan Goodrich, Pat Mulcahy and Derek McAdoo, and one touchdown run by Ammon Doney.

Gingras lead the Redhawks in receiving, pulling in 5 passes for 72 yards. Sophomore Ryan Beaudry had a 33 yard reception, with the remaining receiving yardage coming from Benoit (40), Barnes (15) and Matt Bauer (4). Goodwin’s 16 carries for 84 yards lead CVU in rushing, with another 47 yards from Fleming (in a little over one quarter of play), 42 from Barnes and 18 from Benoit.

The Redhawks next play at home against the 2-0 (overall) North Country Falcons on Saturday September 18th at 1:00 P.M. This is an important Division II game against a team CVU beat last year and who will no doubt come to Hinesburg looking for redemption. Both teams are 1-0 in Division II.