Howdy,

East Lyme head coach Rudy Bagos played quarterback for Bill Mignault's first state championship team at Ledyard (1986). That meant a lot of handoffs, a lot of long drives, and taking a lot of time off the clock running Mignault’s wing-T, ground-and-pound offense.

The Vikings' first touchdown drive in Friday night’s 28-6 win over Stonington would have made Mignault smile. East Lyme began its second drive at its own 1-yard line with six minutes, 43 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Vikings gradually moved their way down the field and scored in 24 plays, bleeding 11:43 off the clock. Isaac Tomblin’s 1-yard run gave East Lyme a 7-0 lead with seven minutes left in the half.

“Yeah, that was coach (Mignault),” Bagos smiled. “I’m getting more-and-more like Ledyard, old-school Ledyard. That was one that he’d be proud of for sure. I wish he were here. I’ll have to let him know (Saturday). I’ve got to stop by his house.”

The Vikings (2-1) twice converted on fourth down with Tomblin getting the majority of the work. He ran 16 times for 58 yards.

Sam Angiolelli (center), Thomas Bartok and Michael Quick (guards), Travis Clement and Liam Whaley (tackles), and Sam Highman (tight end) paved the way for East Lyme.

“It’s really tough starting at the 1-yard line,” Vikings receiver Dylan Hatajik said, “but it’s demoralizing for (Stonington) for us to go 99 yards and for them not to be able to stop us. Our offensive line just pounded them all the way down the field. They just did not let off the gas pedal.”

Bagos said, “That drive was so long I didn’t realize it was the same one that started at the 1-yard line because it went to the second quarter, and I had no idea (it was the same drive). One of the coaches said that was a 99-yard drive, and I was like, ‘really?’ I had really had no idea because it was so long. … (It) shows my old age.”

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Awful stuff from Ledyard's 35-6 loss to Norwich Free Academy — two-way senior standout Max Ebdon suffered a compound fracture leg injury during the third quarter.

“I feel so bad for him,” NFA's Shea McManaway said. “He’s a great player. He’s a great basketball player and a great baseball player. My best wishes go out to him and his family. Our team had a moment of silence for him and his family.”

Ebdon, the starting quarterback and inspirational team leader, is the primary source of Ledyard’s offense. He makes plays with his arm or his legs. He threw a 54-yard touchdown pass and rushed for a team-best 92 yards against NFA. He’s also a presence on defense.

Ledyard will now turn to junior quarterback Jacob Sylvia, who took his first varsity snaps on Friday when he replaced Ebdon.

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While there weren't a ton of positives for New London in it's 18-13 loss to Bacon, the Whalers' defense did hold Bacon to 181 yards (146 rushing, 35 passing). Jahyde Marcus and Nazell Hodges recovered fumbles for New London. But with standout running back Jacob Commander sidelined with a leg injury he suffered against Masuk on Sept. 15, New London rushed for only 16 yards.

"He should be back next week,'' said New London coach Juan Roman. The Whalers host East Lyme Friday night.

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Stonington is really young this season with just nine seniors on its 46-man roster.

"We have a lot of young kids playing," Bears head coach A.J. Massengale said. "We have a huge freshman class (27), which is great, just not right now. We've got some good, older players that work very hard and we've got a ton of young kids. That's where we're at."

Sophomore Josh Curtin ran for a 55-yard touchdown. Tedeschi, the quarterback, is also a sophomore and hung tough late in the game. The Vikings stepped up its blitzing with Tedeschi getting leveled a few times as he got rid of the ball.

"He's very tough," Massengale said. "He's doing everything we ask of him."

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Montville’s lone touchdown was also the top individual play of Friday's 28-6 loss to Fitch — receiver Gennaro Davis hauled in a 30-yard pass from quarterback Luke Hall with one hand in the end zone. “He’s a really good football player,” Montville coach Tanner Grove said of Davis. “We wanted to show Fitch some things we hadn’t done, so we came out throwing more. We wanted to see if they had the gumption to cover (Davis) with one guy. We’ll take that.” … Fitch coach Mike Ellis on his senior fullback Hollis Scott, who ran for nearly 200 yards: “He’s a very good player and a fun kid.” … The wind played a role in this game, aiding Montville punter Greg Clark’s 66-yard punt … A bad snap looked as though it would cost Fitch an extra point. But that’s when holder (and quarterback) Tyler Nelli was resourceful enough to pick up the ball, roll left and find Antonyo Figueroa in the end zone for a two-point conversion … Nick Angell had an interception for Montville in the second half … Montville (2-1) plays its first game at home this week after three straight road games.

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It’s not lost on the returning players from Valley/Old Lyme what happened to them in the state semifinals last season. They were competitive with St. Joseph, but ultimately lost (28-7). That’s what made the summer so important. “We beat them in the seven-on-seven (passing) league up at UMass,” Valley quarterback Michael Cullina said after Saturday’s 41-13 win over Coginchaug/Hale-Ray. “Losing that game in the playoffs was extremely hard. That’s what has motivated us. We want another shot at them.” The Warriors (3-0, and on a bye week) and St. Joseph both dropped from Class M to S this season. … Valley coach Tim King on Saturday's win: “We showed we could take a punch and come back from it. Coginchaug has a good football team. We needed this.” … Valley has a number of skill players who touch the ball: Jake Kruszewski, Jason O’Brien, Jae’Lyn Arnum, Ernie Jean-Pierre, Nick Braga and Judson O’Brien among them … King singled out two-way tackle Ian Nevaiser after the game for his toughness. Nevaiser was sick all week and managed to play virtually every down Saturday on a hot day. … Saturday's game was played at Old Lyme instead of at the co-op’s home field at Valley Regional. Old Lyme school officials may ask to use portable lights for the game next year and play Friday night.

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McManaway put his stamp all over NFA's win Friday as he ran for three touchdowns and passing for two. His primary targets were junior Keith Pomroy (five receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD) and sophomore Nolan Molkenthin (3 receptions, 18 yards, 1 TD).

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Thanks to Dave Davis (New London-Bacon), Mike DiMauro (Fitch-Montville, Valley Regional/Old Lyme WARRIORCATS-Coginchaug/Hale-Ray), and Gavin Keefe (NFA-Ledyard) for providing copy to this here blog.

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Thanks for reading. More soon.

Adios.