#3 Akeem Williams going up for the ball versus two defenders

Photos courtesy of Linda Salmon

#91 Michael Fulton disrupting the passing lane.

Tenth Anniversary Season 2007-2016

Norwich University - Sabine Field

8/6/16

Kick-off 4:00PM

Staff Report

Central Mass Sabercats 45

Vermont Ravens 13

Welcome to double A football.  This was the message delivered to a previously undefeated Vermont Ravens football team Saturday afternoon on Sabine Field of Norwich University.  Veteran New England Football League’s Central Mass Sabercats from Leominster, Ma. traveled to Vermont to pay a visit to their rivals and division co-leaders, the Vermont Ravens.  First place was up for grabs as both team sported a 3-0 record coming in.  One team left in first place still undefeated, and the other with their first loss and many questions to answer as they move forward to week 5.

‘Put that loss on me no one else. There is nothing else to say.’  Head Coach Pete Everett said after the game.  Everett, in just his second year being head coach for the Ravens and having a combined 11-3 record, was stating this as the mindset of a successful coach that just had a very uncomfortable afternoon watching his team get outplayed on both sides of the ball.  Time to reflect and evaluate the loss will no doubt bring emphasis on the needed adjustments moving forward.

Vermont started the game with the ball near mid-field after #18 return man/defensive back/receiver Jeric Tyler (Northfield) returned the kick 15 yards.  Immediately going to shot-gun formation with quarterback #14 Clayton Torres (Barre), the Ravens attempted a short quick slant pass to slot receiver #5 Austin Mayo (Winooski).  What would become a theme for the day regarding the Sabercat defense happened when linebacker #34 Anton Wilbon reached out and intercepted the pass completing the first of 5 interceptions that Vermont would suffer on the day.

Central Mass wasted no time as two plays later quarterback #3 Frankie Desiderio completed a pass to a crossing receiver #10 Eric Ramos for a 16 yard touchdown.  Raven defensive back #1 Matt Gomes (Montpelier) blocked the extra point attempt and the score was 6-0 Sabercats with just 36 seconds gone in the game.

Vermont came right back with a score of its own on their very next possession as Torres found Tyler down the field and upon catching the ball he made a move to create space and scampered into the end zone for the touchdown.  Kicker #77 Juju Ayidas extra point was good and with 9:37 left in the first quarter, the Ravens led 7-6.

Using the no huddle offense veteran quarterback Desiderio for Central Mass orchestrated another solid drive using play action.  Freezing the linebackers, Desiderio was able to delivered strikes to various receivers running slats and seam routes for considerable gains.  One combination that was clicking for the Sabercats was the Desiderio to receiver #5 Chris Nieves connection as they scored with 2:27 left in the first quarter on a 37 yard pass play.  The extra point was good by #34 Anton Wilbon and the score was 13-7 Central Mass.

The same combination of Desiderio to Nieves was lethal again as in the second quarter they combined for a 15 yard touchdown.  The extra point attempt was no good and the score was 19-7 Sabercats with 6:58 left in the second quarter.

Central Mass would score again right before the half as Desiderio would spread the wealth around and pass to receiver #80 David Salvi this time on a short 5 yard goal line pass.  The extra point attempt turned into a 2 point conversion as holder #10 Eric Ramos dropped the snap, but recovered and had the presence of mind to scramble right and flip the ball to an open Sabercat #17 Brian Owusu in the end zone to make the score 27-7 Sabercats with just over 6 seconds to go in the half.

Starting up where they left off it took only 44 seconds for Central Mass to find the end zone again as Desiderio passed to #12 Jared Wilbon for a 15 yard touchdown.  The extra point was unsuccessful, but the score had grown to an insurmountable 33-7 lead for the Sabercats with still 14:16 left in the third quarter.

Vermont still had some life in them though and they were able to move the ball down the field where Torres avoiding the relentless rush by the Sabercat defense rolled right and found an open receiver #19 Steve Noyes (Barre).  Noyes caught the ball and was immediately hit by a defender.  Keeping his balance he was able to break free from that defender and then a second as he outraced the safety to the end zone for the Ravens second score of the day.  Ayidas extra point was blocked and the scoring on the day for the Ravens was complete.  With 12:09 left in the third quarter the score was 33-13 Sabercats.

The Sabercats used the clock for most of the remainder of the quarter and game as the running back duo of #27 John Vassar and #31 Raymond Rizzi were effective moving the chains.  Desiderio was able to throw one more touchdown pass, this time to #10 Eric Ramos, from 30 yards out.  The 2 point conversion was stopped and with 37 seconds left in the third quarter the score was 39-13 Central Mass.

The fourth quarter had more of the same ball control from the Sabercats and they were able to score on the ground as Rizzi would break away from the pack and ramble in from 30 yards for the only rushing touchdown of the game.  The extra point was wide and the scoring was complete as Central Mass enjoyed a 45-13 lead with 4:33 left.

While the Sabercats caused excessive turnovers for the Ravens which ultimately were too much to overcome Vermont was able to move the ball on offense.  Torres ended the day 11-27 for 186 yards and 2 touchdowns and the running game accumulated 75 yards on the ground with Torres running for 41 on 8 carries.  Many of the runs were scrambles out of the collapsing pocket as with his athletic ability he was able to make something out of nothing.

Receiver Steve Noyes caught 5 passes for 101 yards and the 1 touchdown of 40 yards.  Tyler had the 1 catch for the touchdown of 30 yards.  Mayo caught 5 passes for 51 yards.  Kicker Juju Ayida was 1-2 on extra point attempts.

Unfortunately Central Mass just made their plays count more as the poised Desiderio would complete 6 passes for touchdowns using multiple combinations and his offensive line gave him protection to check off when his first and second reads were covered.

There were some bright spots for the Raven defense as linebacker/defensive end #56 Nolan Callahan (Cabot) had two passes defensed, an interception and return of 9 yards, and 3 tackles.  Defensive back #18 Jeric Tyler had 8 tackles, 7 of them solo.  #9 safety Olivier Kpesse (Graniteville) recorded 6 tackles, 4 of the solo.  #35 linebacker Jesse Burke (Cabot) had a fumble recovery, a pass defensed, and 5 tackles, 3 of them solo.  #93 defensive tackle Lloyd White (Barre) 1 fumble recovery, 2 passes defensed, and 5 tackles, 1 of them solo.

#1 defensive back Matt Gomes (Montpelier) blocked an extra point attempt, and added 3 tackles, 1 of them solo.

#9 free safety Olivier Kpesse (Graniteville) had 6 tackles, 4 of them solo.

#18 receiver/defensive back/kick returner Jeric Tyler (Northfield) caught 1 pass for 30 yards and a touchdown, returned 1 kick-off for 15 yards, and on defense had 8 tackles, 7 of them solo.

#20 strong safety Roy Rose (Northfield) had 1 pass defensed and 7 tackles, 3 of them solo.

#22 defensive back Jesse Martin (Randolph) 5 tackles, 4 of them solo.

#35 linebacker Jesse Burke (Cabot) had 1 fumble recovery, 1 pass defensed and 5 tackles, 3 of them solo.

#56 linebacker Nolan Callahan (Cabot) had 2 passes defensed, 1 interception with a return of 9 yards, and 3 tackles.

#77 defensive tackle Juju Ayida (Plainfield) had 5 tackles.

#92 defensive tackle Anthony Michie had 4 tackles, 3 of them solo.

#93 defensive tackle Lloyd White had 1 fumble recovery, 2 passes defensed, and 5 tackles, 1 of them solo.

The Ravens are 3-1 and travel to Old Killingly High School in Danielson, Ct. to take on the 3-1 Green Valley Blackhawks next Saturday, Aug. 13.  Kick-off is 6:30pm.

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