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RAVENS EDGE CATAMOUNTS, 10-7
October 22, 2007
By Tom Herzig Correspondent
Times Argus
BARRE – The Vermont Ravens drove deep into UVM territory on their next possession after the Catamounts had tied the score at 7-7 and Henri Moser kicked a 33-yard field goal that put them ahead for the win, 10-7, in Northeast Independent Football League action at A.G. Pendo Memorial Field Sunday.
The Ravens appeared ready to score their second touchdown after a 32-yard kickoff return by Roy Rose, a 10-yard reception by Malik Butler, and three carries by Marvin Jenkins gave them a 1st-and-goal on the UVM eight-yard line. Former Montpelier Solon Adam Keiser tackled Jenkins for a three-yard loss on a 3rd and goal from the 13-yard line and Moser was summoned for what proved to be the game-winner.
The first half ended in a 0-0 tie reminiscent of the first meeting between the two teams, which UVM won 9-3. The Catamounts lost eight yards in nine carries in the half primarily because they couldn't contain Raven linebacker Anthony Michie. The Catamounts used two quarterbacks, starter Drew Trombley and Michael Glynne and Michie sacked them both for a net loss of 21 yards as well as hurrying several passes and making other tackles. In the air, UVM was 5-of-9 for 40 yards in the first half. Raven quarterback Sean O'Connor (6-of-13, 58 yards, 1 INT) didn't fare much better. O'Connor threw for 77 yards in all.
Vermont had a chance to jump out to an early lead when Mike Pratt stripped the ball away as UVM returned the opening kickoff and Matt Godzik recovered it on the Catamount 25-yard line. O'Connor hit Warren Bombardier on a 10-yard square-out, but the Ravens lost 19 yards when the ball was snapped over O'Connor's head in the shotgun formation. Moser's 45-yard field goal try was just short.
Both offenses fell prey to fumbles in their next possessions. Raven lineman Rob Owen tore the ball away from a Catamount runner on UVM's second play from scrimmage at their 35-yard line. Three plays later, UVM cornerback Bryan Onyekaba returned the favor at the thirty.
The defenses dominated in the second quarter. The biggest gain of the quarter was a 13-yard pass from O'Connor to Andrew Kiernan. The most significant play of the quarter came when UVM punter Gavin Battaglia took the snap on a bounce and got off a 52-yard punt to the Raven 33.
Three minutes into the second half, the Catamounts coughed up the ball once more. Mike Pratt recovered the ball on the UVM 20. Following a 12-yard pass from O'Connor to Clay Torres, Marvin Jenkins ran it in from the 11. Jon Beaulieu kicked the PAT and Vermont led 7-0.
As it turned out, Jenkins was just getting started. The 210-lb running back from Barre wound up with 101 yards on 14 carries many of which he got on his own with would-be tacklers hanging off him.
UVM's touchdown came with 3:09 remaining the third quarter. Drew Trombley rolled out and found Brett Rosenberg in the end zone from seven yards out. On the final play of the game, Raven Jesse Martin intercepted Trombley's last pass at midfield.
"We shut them down on offense," Catamount Coach Darren Haynes said. "The turnovers on offense and special teams hurt us, but we came together and did what we had to do. Team-wise we played well. Both teams are now 5-2 and keeping the overall points scored in our favor means that if we can beat Maine next week, we'll get a bye in the playoffs. Our defense has the ability to play zone or man and we can blitz. We concentrated on plugging up the middle and tried to force them outside. Tyler Jackson (South Burlington) was a standout for us defensively. He's everywhere on the field."
"Marvin (Jenkins) is our workhorse," Raven coach Mike Salmon said. "When it gets tough to get yardage, we call on him. Defensively, Anthony Michie was all over the field and Mike Pratt and Brad Lamell had real good games. We play the Central Maine Warriors away next Saturday."
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