8/28/16 (5-2)

Ravens Win Last Regular Season Home Game of 2016

#5 Austin Mayo scores from 15 yards out in the 4th quarter.

Photos courtesy of Buzz Fisher 

#19 Jaren Jeffcoat lofts the ball...

#14 Clayton Torres hauls in pass...

 Jeffcoat reaches over for 6...

Tenth Anniversary Season 2007-2016

Norwich University – Sabine Field

8/28/16

Kick-off 3:00PM 

Staff Report 

Warriors 3 

Vermont Ravens 18 

A funny thing was noticed during yesterday’s last regular season home game of the 2016 season.  Two veteran Raven players played very good games helping their team to victory (as did many of the teams 40 man roster).  But, these two veterans stood out, and for good reasons.  But, to explain better lets back up and look back ten years to the year 2007. 

An informational meeting was called by the Raven staff in April of that year to be held at Vermont Technical College in Randolph which is where the Ravens would be practicing that first year of their existence.  Two young guys showed up, along with about 50 others, to learn more about the new team entering the central Vermont sports scene.  After the meeting had officially ended these two stuck around talking to the remaining administrators of the new team going over a lot of what was talked about, but in fine detail.  They were inquisitive, really showing their enthusiasm about playing semi-pro football for a local team, and it was duly noted that day by the staff on hand for the team. 

Over the course of the next few months during pre-season and then during that first season these two rose above everyone else with their leadership and playing abilities to help the Vermont Ravens become a very competitive team and one that became known around the region as a source for football after high school and college for the central Vermont and beyond location.  Making their marks as Captains and leaders on and off the field of play and leading the team to the league’s Championship game that first year they proved their mettle early on. 

So, now fast forward ten years to yesterday’s game and let us look at the two ‘veteran’ players that made a difference helping win this game in 2016, much in the same way they helped win games back in the day. 

Veteran wide receiver, sometimes quarterback, sometimes free safety, #14 Clayton Torres (Barre) caught the games longest pass from scrimmage and the game’s first touchdown as he ran a streak to the goal line where quarterback #19 Jaren Jeffcoat (Northfield) threw the ball where only he could catch it.  As Torres caught the ball with his back to the goal line he continued in such fashion, cradling the ball and back peddled into the end zone.  The play covered 55 yards and that touchdown completion gave the Ravens the lead 6-3 in the second quarter.  On the day Torres would catch 3 passes for 110 yards and the touchdown that turned out to be enough for a Raven victory.  Also, the Warriors double teamed him after that and of course Jeffcoat took advantage of the unoccupied side as Torres would run off the defenders and the quarterback would scramble for good gains including first downs to lengthen drives. 

Now, why were 6 points enough to win this football game, or any football game for that matter?  Great defense of course.  And the leader of this defense yesterday is a familiar face when you’re talking defense and the Ravens.  Veteran strong safety, sometimes quarterback, sometimes fullback, #20 Roy Rose (Northfield).  Rose was making plays all over the field, as is his trademark.  Twice he camouflaged a blitz from the backside which caught the offense sleeping and which resulted in two sacks.  He pursued sideline to sideline, making tackles and by the end of the game he had added to his 2 sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed, to go with his 6 tackles, 3 of them solo. 

So, while not the only Ravens to have outstanding games, these two ten year veterans of semi-pro football, all with the Ravens, undoubtedly left their mark on a decade long love affair with football, Raven style.  And they’re not done yet. 

So, back to 6 points being enough, it was because all the Warriors could muster was a 31 yard field goal during the second quarter by their kicker Pat Caruso, as Rose wasn’t the only Raven defender to have an outstanding game.  Vermont’s linebacker #57 Nolan Callahan (Cabot) also shined as he contributed 2 sacks, 6 tackles, 2 of them solo, while defensive tackle #93 Lloyd White (Barre) had 5 tackles, 2 of them solo.  Defensive back #7 Luke LaCroix (Barre) also was an original player who returned to the team this season after a 4 year hiatus, contributed a clutch defensive play as he timed a pass perfectly to knock it out of the Warrior receivers hands and effectively stop a Warrior drive.  Linebacker #51 George Campbell had an interception and return of 31 yards to stymie another Warrior drive.

The most dramatic play of the day as far as Vermont was concerned was when Warrior running back #25 Seqwuan Simmons broke through the line and made his way through the defense and looked like he was on his way to a 52 yard touchdown when from out of nowhere defensive linemen #77 Juju Ayida (Plainfield) ran him down from behind to save the touchdown.

Back to offense, after Torres scored to put the Ravens in front the second score of the second quarter for Vermont was as Jeffcoat was flushed from the pocket he saw running room outside and took off reaching for the front corner of the endzone with the ball and crossing the line before being driven out of bounds.  That was the final score for the quarter and at the half the score was 12-3 Ravens.

In the third quarter Coach Pete Everett chose to keep the ball on the ground and run the ball and run the ball effectively they did as running back #21 Anthony LaRosa (Northfield) picked up most of his 100 yard total on 14 carries by churning his legs for some sizable gains.  The longest run a 50 yard gallop up the middle following some nice line blocking by #72 Bradley Durkee (Montpelier) and #55 Tyler Baker (Northfield).  Running the clock and keeping it on the ground Coach Everett’s strategy worked as in the fourth quarter the Warriors were noticeably tired.

The Ravens last score of the day was a misdirection run with running back #5 Austin Mayo (Winooski) taking the flip from Jeffcoat and running left avoided 2 tacklers by cutting back inside and beating a Warrior linebacker to the goal line for a nifty 15 yard touchdown run.  The score at this point and how it ended was 18-3 Ravens.  

Mayo finished with 6 rushes for 26 yards and the 1 TD.

For Jeffcoat, on the day he was 4-8 for 115 yards and the 1 TD to Torres.  He ran 7 times for 36 yards and 1 TD run of 5 yards.

Linebacker #33 Adolphe Lumumba (Essex) had 5 tackles, 2 of them solo. 

Linebacker #35 Jesse Burke (Cabot) had 1 sack and 4 tackles, 2 of them solo.

Defensive end #46 Joe Picard (Montpelier) had 4 tackles, 1 of them solo.

Defensive linemen #65 Tyler Tetreault (Barre) had a fumble recovery and 2 tackles.

Defensive end #91 Michael Fulton (Burlington) had 4 tackles 1 of the solo.

The Ravens are on the road for the remaining 3 games of the season.  Next week is a league wide bye week for the holiday, and the next game is on Sept. 10th in Cranston RI, playing the RI Riptide.

For more information please go to www.vermontravens.com or visit us on facebook  https://www.facebook.com/VTRavensfans/