Montville — This was a reminder, if nothing else, that high school football isn't always about postseasons and playoff berths. It is very much this as well: Senior Night, playing the team from the neighboring town, with what feels like all of yours watching, emotions of a year — and careers in some cases — hanging on every play.

All of which made it a most auspicious night for Montville to play well enough to create a lifetime worth of memories Friday for the departing seniors. The Indians rallied from a 21-6 deficit and trampled Waterford, 41-21, giving themselves a chance at a winning season.

"What a feeling," senior fullback/linebacker Christian Davis said. "Senior Night and to play like that ... we weren't losing. It wasn't an option."

At least not with Montville's punishing ground game, led by senior Tyler Price's 135 yards. Tyler Glidden (90), Davis (86), Cody Calash (68) and Alex Quidgeon (56) all contributed to the Indians' 27-point second half.

"We knew we had to play with some passion tonight and that this game would have some ebb and flow," Montville coach Tanner Grove said. "Waterford did a great job in the first half with some schemes we didn't see on tape."

Glidden, who ran for more than 100 yards last month in a win at New London, returned from an injury and was quite effective in the second half. His touchdown run in the third period tied the game at 21.

Calash's 32-yard run set up the eventual game-winner, his 26-yard touchdown pass to Bradley Johnson that gave Montville a 28-21 lead. It was Calash's lone completed pass of the night.

"We had to take a chance," Grove said, alluding to his decision to go away from the ground game for a play. "We said, 'we're going to give you a shot, skinny man (Johnson).'"

Steve Bollinger's sack of Waterford quarterback Jake Mangual gave Montville possession of the ball again with 4:35 left. The Indians scored twice late to seal it, helped by interceptions from Glidden and Calash.

"We came out in the second half and just couldn't get our offense going," Waterford coach John Strecker said. "I'll have to look at the film to tell you exactly why. But they brought a lot of pressure in the second half they didn't in the first."

Then Strecker paused and said, "and you can't let a team run on you like that up the middle."

Mangual ran for two scores and Mike Rocchetti scored on a 17-yard run for the Lancers.

Montville (5-4) plays at Windham on Wednesday night and can achieve another winning season. Waterford (3-6) makes the short trip to East Lyme on Thanksgiving Day.

"These kids have never let me down," Strecker said. "They've played hard in every game. We'll be ready for East Lyme. It's a shame our record is what it is. We've been in every game except one."

m.dimauro@theday.com

Twitter:@BCgenius