Redhawks smash Colonels

By Joe Cribari

CVU’s varsity football team thrilled fans in their home opener with a 43-13 win over the Brattleboro Union High School Colonels on Saturday in Hinesburg. Nick Ferrentino, for the second consecutive game, rushed for over 130 yards and three touchdowns. Ferrentino’s spinning cuts kept would-be tacklers guessing, grasping and falling all day.

Ferrentino scampered for his first score behind the outstanding blocking of senior lineman Dylan Raymond. When asked about the Redhawks success in this game, Raymond summed it up in a word: Teamwork. “This is a team,” Raymond said, “we win when all eleven guys play like a team.”

“I get inspired when I see my brothers make a play – like when this guy (points to Ryan Fleming) gets a sack,” Raymond said. “I get pumped . . . and you reach down and find something inside of you”.

The rest of the Redhawks offense did just that. They all stepped up to pile up six touchdowns, a field goal and trouble for the Colonels. Quarterback Drew Nick ran in from the 2-yard line for a touchdown and connected with Brent Carriero from the 14 for another. Tucker Kohlasch kicked a 29-yard field goal in the 4th quarter. Patrick Shea once again shared the 2nd half rushing duties, racking up 60 yards and a score. The offensive line dominated, especially in the 2nd half as the Redhawks controlled the clock. Crucial lane-opening blocks came from all corners of the offense.

CVU’s defense was a force from the start. Michael Fournier had too many big tackles to list. Drew Nick (at defensive back) grabbed one of two CVU interceptions. Ryan Fleming was on fire once again and capped this effort in the 4th quarter with a crucial 3rd-down sack followed by a huge 4th-down hit on the Colonels quarterback, allowing Harvey Ottinger to get the second CVU pick of the game. Bobby Russell and Sammy Foutz came through with tackles.

The day was sunny and warm with a fairly stiff breeze. A moment of silence was observed in honor of those lost in the 9/11 attacks a decade ago. A beautiful rendition of the national anthem, sung by CVU alumnus Katie Parker, wafted over the grounds. Fans from both schools were pumped. The Redhawks cheerleading squad performed lively acrobatic cheers.

However, the game had a shaky start as neither offense could do much on their initial possessions. Both defenses were getting good pass rushing. Then, capitalizing on a CVU turnover, the Colonels finally managed to move the ball and scored first with a 16-yard Tyler Higley pass to Aaron Prue. Higley also threw for a 7-yard touchdown to Soren Pelz-Walsh late in the game, but not before the Redhawks had put up 36 unanswered points. The extra point kick was no good.

In the words of Dylan Raymond, “If we play to our full potential, we can go places in Division I.” The Redhawks will have their chance to do that next week when they travel to Essex High School to face the angry 0-2 Hornets in their home nest. The game is on Friday September 16, 2011 at 7:00 PM in Essex.

** Saturday’s game was marked by the presentation of $1,000 ($500 each from Friends of CVU and the Redhawks Football Boosters) to the Brattleboro Boys & Girls Club. The donations are for victims of the flooding during Tropical Storm Irene. The Football Boosters will also donate proceeds from the 50/50 Raffle to flood relief agencies, along with ten percent of the day’s concessions take.