#35 Jesse Burke score first TD in 2016

Photo courtesy of Buzz Fisher

Tenth Anniversary Season 2007-2016
Norwich University - Sabine Field
7/17/16
Kick-off 2:00PM
Staff Report
Vermont Ravens 49
Northern Berkshire Kings 6

The Ravens and Kings met for what seems like the hundredth time since they both played during the Ravens inaugural year, 2007. Between them and the Southern VT Storm (who are taking a leave of absence this year) I'm not sure who Vermont has played more, but they are always interesting games when these two teams meet. After being bounced by the surging Kings during last year's play-offs the Ravens, coached by Pete Everett, came out, worked through some early game miscues, and settled down to churn their way to an impressive win to begin the 2016 season.

The Ravens depth proved too much for an out manned Kings squad that while providing a valiant effort, just didn't have the horses this afternoon to contend for the win. They had a great run last season when they got hot at the right time and rode that momentum into the championship game before losing to league champ the Port City Vipers.

This year their squad isn't as large so with depth problems they simply wore down with the July afternoon heat and the relentless rushing attack led by the offensive line of center #63 Paul-Dan Winter (E. Montpelier), guards #72 Bradley Durkee (Montpelier), and #75 Jeffrey Deforge (Randolph), tackles #55 Tyler Baker (Northfield), and #74 Kevin Keeling (Barre), and tight end #80 Jamal Jacobs (Barre). The Ravens runners made good use of the push and rolled for 198 yards on 40 carries.

But, in typical first game fashion both sides had erratic play early on offensively. It wasn't until the 5:33 mark of the first quarter that fullback #35 Jesse Burke from Cabot, from the ten, would take the handoff from quarterback #16 Kyle Bigelow (Winooski)bounce it outside and wait for a block or two, which he got. #56 Nolan Callahan (Cabot) provided one of the key blocks that sprung Burke to pay-dirt. Raven kicker #77 Juju Ayida (Plainfield) kicked the extra point and the Ravens led 7-0.

The second and third quarters produced a total of 6 touchdowns. The offense was consistently moving the ball to be in good position to score and the defense was forcing the Kings to many 3 and outs. A couple of which forced the Kings to punt from their own goal line. One of such plays Raven defensive end #88 Kassian Prior (Winooski) tackled the punter who took the snap and had to immediately run from Prior but to no avail.

With the good field position the Ravens used their goal line package to good advantage as now fullback #56 Nolan Callahan would score the first of two consecutive touchdowns as he powered in from 9 yards at 12:56 and 2 yards at 7:58 of the second quarter. Both after touchdown attempts were no good. Ayida would have one PAT blocked and the Ravens then tried a 2PT conversion having quarterback Bigelow throw to receiver #81 Sean Lamphere (Burlington) where it fell incomplete as the ruling was the receiver didn't have control of the ball. At the 7:58 mark of the second quarter the score was 19-0 Ravens.

Berkshire came back the next series and moved the ball into Raven territory. King running back #11 Joseph Wiggins, taking a pitch from the Berkshire quarterback on the forty yard line, proved to be uncatchable, as he got outside left side and then wound his way through the Raven defense to eventually score the Kings first (and last) points on the afternoon. The 2PT conversion attempt was intercepted by Raven defensive back #1 Matt Gomes (Montpelier) in the end zone and the score was 19-6 Ravens with 5:43 left in the half.

A fumble recovery by linebacker #35 Jess Burke gave Vermont another chance to make it to the goal line right before the half. With 16 seconds left running back #21 Anthony LaRosa (Northfield) found a hole running the two yards up the middle making the score 25-6 Ravens. The 2PT conversion attempt from Bigelow to receiver #14 Clayton Torres (Barre) was knocked away by a King defender and the score at the half was 25-6 Ravens.

Early in the third quarter the running game continued with its dominance as fullback #20 Roy Rose (Northfield) would be the fourth Vermont player to score as he took the hand-off and went off tackle into the end zone for a touchdown. Ayida's PAT attempt was good and the score was 32-6 Ravens with 11:16 left in the third quarter.

All day the Raven defense was creating turnovers. In all there were four fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Burke had his recovery at the end of the second quarter. Rose forced two and recovered another, defensive end #91 Michael Fulton (Burlington) fell on one and defensive end #19 Steve Noyes (Barre) secured another. For the two interceptions, one was the Gomes conversion attempt interception in the second and the other was linebacker #33 Adolphe Lumumba (Essex) interception and return of 43 yards.

The last two touchdowns on the day by the Ravens were again on the ground, as LaRosa scored his second of the game this time from 4 yards out at 8:15 of the third. Ayida again was good on the PAT attempt making the score 39-6 Ravens. Running back #3 Akeem Williams(Milton) wrapped up the ground assault as he scampered 18 yards around left end for a nice touchdown at the 3:20 mark and with another Ayida extra point good the score was 46-6 Vermont.

In the fourth Ayida would add a 18 yard field goal to the score and that was the final 49-6 Ravens.

With the running game moving the ball all day everyone got involved. Eleven different players ran the ball scoring 7 touchdowns. Running back #21 Anthony LaRosa led the way with 80 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Kicker Ayida had the 4th quarter field goal and he added 4 extra points for seven points on the day.

Quarterback #16 Kyle Bigelow was an efficient 8 for 9 through the air for 122 yards.

Slot receiver/running back #3 Akeem Williams had 2 catches for 65 yards with a nice 45 yard reception which set up one of the Raven touchdowns in the 3rd and he scored the 18 yard rushing touchdown.

#20 strong safety Roy Rose had 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery to go along with his 4 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles.

#33 linebacker Adolphe Lumumba had a 43 yard interception return to go along with a forced fumble and 6 tackles, 1 solo.

#91 Defensive end Michael Fulton had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, 2 assisted tackles and 1 solo tackle.

#93 defensive tackle Lloyd White (Barre) contributed 7 tackles, 3 of them solo.

The Ravens are 1-0 and play the 0-1 New London Sharks next Sunday, 2PM at Norwich University.