Steve Noyes stepping over the defender on his way to a 90 yard touchdown.

Photo courtesy of Buzz Fisher

Tenth Anniversary Season 2007-2016

Norwich University - Sabine Field

7/24/16

Kick-off 2:00PM

Staff Report

Vermont Ravens 28
New London County Sharks 24

The start to the game as far as Vermont was concerned was anything BUT what they wanted.  Being down 12-0 to an established double A level team with :55 left in the first quarter some teams might have given up.  Not this team though, not these Ravens.  Head Coach Pete Everett kept the team focused and they took it one play at a time.  All three units, offense, defense and special teams contributed to make outstanding plays to help the Ravens top the Sharks and give the home crowd some exciting plays to talk about on the way home.

Last week during the teams big win over the Kings it was the running game that provided the points.  This week the offensive production was mostly generated through the air as quarterback #14 Clayton Torres (Barre) was 9-19 for 271 yards and 3 touchdown passes.

The connection between Torres and receiver #19 Steve Noyes (Barre) was effective as they teamed for 5 receptions, 2 touchdowns, and 158 yards.  The two touchdowns were a 48 yard play in the second quarter which put the Ravens on the board for the first time 12-6 with 13:12 left in the half.  The second scoring play was at the end of the third quarter a 90 yard, tackle breaking catch and run, which ignited the team.  Torres hit Noyes over the middle.  Noyes took a couple steps and braced for the incoming hit by the safety, but as he leaned down, and the safety lunged, Noyes held up enough to allow the diving defender to roll under him as he was able to step over the safety and continued downfield racing into the end zone untouched.  This happened right at the end of the third quarter and brought the Ravens within 5, 24-19 as the crowd roared its approval.

With everyone still a bit excited Vermont had their second big special teams play of the day.  Quickly getting into their point after positions holder #81 Sean Lamphere (Burlington) would receive center #55 Tyler Baker (Northfield) snap and immediately roll out and find Raven tight end, #80 Jamal Jacobs (Barre) in the back right corner.  Jacobs gathered it in and with that Vermont had crept to within 3 points, 24-21.

The first big special teams play for the Ravens occurred when #18 Jeric Tyler (Northfield) electrified the crowd with a 84 yard return for a touchdown at the 2:19 mark in the second quarter.  This brought the team within 5 points right before the half ended, 18-13.  Tyler took the kick-off, followed his blockers up the left side, spotted a cut back route and crossed up the Sharks speeding diagonally to the right and then straight into the end zone leaving would be tacklers scattered on the ground.

In the fourth Vermont would score the winning points at the 6:16 mark as Torres, from shot-gun, took the snap, backed up a couple steps and let loose a bomb to streaking, this time receiver, Tyler who ran under the ball catching it in full stride and leaving the defender grasping at air, as he scored from 76 yards.  This put the Ravens in front for good at 27-24 and with kicker #77 Juju Ayida (Plainfield) making the extra point attempt the lead grew to 28-24.

The offense scored three touchdowns for 18 points.  Special teams one touchdown and one two point conversion along with Ayidas two extra points for a total of 10 points and the defense shut out the Sharks for the last 25 minutes and 53 seconds with a swarming aggressive style that led to punts and turnovers.  #20 strong safety Roy Rose (Northfield) led the attack with a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, a pass defensed, and 8 tackles, 2 of them solo.

#7 defensive back Luke LaCroix (Barre) had 2 passes defensed and a solo tackle that saved a touchdown to go along with 2 assisted tackles.

#18 defensive back Jeric Tyler (Northfield) had a pass defensed and 3 solo tackles.

#22 defensive back Jesse Martin (Randolph) had a fumble recovery and two assisted tackles.

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

#35 linebacker Jesse Burke (Cabot) had 6 tackles, one of them solo.

#56 linebacker Nolan Callahan (Cabot) had a pass defensed to go along with 3 solo and 4 assisted tackles.

#88 defensive end Kassian Prior (Winooski) had a stop on a 2 point conversion attempt with a solo tackle  and totaled 6 tackles, 3 of them solo.

#91 defensive end Michael Fulton intercepted a 2 point conversion attempt and ran it back 35 yards while adding 2 assisted tackles.

#92 defensive tackle Anthony Michie had a sack and 2 assisted tackles.

#93 defensive tackle Lloyd White had a sack and 5 assisted tackles.

The Ravens are 2-0 and play the 0-2 Mass Warriors from Wayland Ma.  next Saturday, at Wayland High School.  7PM Kick-off.

For more information www.vermontravens.com or www.facebook.com/VTRavensfans