The Pomperaug High School football squad delivered a commanding performance, triumphing over Wethersfield with a score of 50-21 in a recent Connecticut High School Football Alliance contest. This victory underscored the effectiveness of Pomperaug's triple-option offensive strategy, which saw the team pile up close to 400 yards on the ground. Having retained almost their entire roster from the previous season and demonstrating consistent improvement, the Panthers have commenced their fall campaign with significant momentum, positioning themselves as a formidable contender in their conference.
Last season, Pomperaug faced one of the most demanding schedules in Class MM, yet still managed a respectable 5-5 record. This challenging experience, combined with a highly productive offseason – including a second-place finish at the Southington Lineman Challenge – has evidently prepared the team for success. Their potent ground attack, a hallmark of the triple-option system, proved too much for Wethersfield to handle.
The Panthers' offensive prowess was a collective effort, with no single player reaching 100 rushing yards, yet four different athletes contributed at least 78 yards. Quarterback Josh Coughlin led the team with 92 yards on just five carries. However, the true strength lay in the dynamic fullback duo of Gavin Lynch, who rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns on 15 attempts, and Dom Creaco, contributing 78 yards and one touchdown on nine carries. Jack Guinipero also added significant yardage, gaining 87 yards and two touchdowns from eight carries, as Pomperaug skillfully exploited both interior and exterior running lanes.
Coach Tony Pereira highlighted the importance of stopping the fullback in their offensive scheme, noting that failure to do so allows the Panthers to dictate the pace of the game. The team, now in its second year running the triple-option offense implemented by assistant coach Ryan Swift, has fully embraced this style of play. Coach Pereira, along with other assistants, who have backgrounds in offensive and defensive line play, appreciate the physicality and grinding nature of the triple-option, which aims to wear down opponents as the game progresses.
The Panthers' roster boasts 16 seniors, many of whom have been starting since their sophomore year, indicating a strong foundation and continuity within the team. Their shared experience and commitment have been crucial to the team's current success. The game commenced with Pomperaug executing a seven-play, 67-yard drive culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by Lynch, followed by a successful extra point from Jack Reeder. Wethersfield initially struggled but managed to find the end zone after a Pomperaug penalty extended their drive, with Isaiah Edwards scoring from 3 yards out, and Rian Stevens converting the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.
Edwards, a resilient 5-foot-10, 215-pound senior running back for Wethersfield, was a standout player for his team, achieving game highs with 28 rushing attempts and 114 yards, alongside two touchdowns. However, Pomperaug dominated the subsequent quarters, scoring 29 unanswered points across the second and third periods to build a commanding 36-7 lead. This scoring spree included Lynch's second touchdown, a 41-yard dash by Guinipero, an untouched 25-yard run by Caleb McKee, and another 9-yard touchdown from Guinipero. Although Wethersfield momentarily interrupted Pomperaug's momentum with an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown by Adriatik Kaleviqi, the Panthers quickly regained control. Dom Creaco added another touchdown for Pomperaug with a 13-yard run, and after Edwards' second touchdown for Wethersfield, Cole Tracy sealed Pomperaug's victory with a 1-yard quarterback sneak.
The coaching staff recognizes the need to integrate passing into their offense for future high-stakes games, acknowledging that while their ground game is potent, a balanced attack will be necessary against top-tier opponents. This comprehensive victory, marked by overwhelming rushing statistics and a cohesive team effort, propels Pomperaug to a 2-0 record as they look ahead to their significant South-West Conference home game against Newtown. The team's philosophy, as articulated by Coach Pereira, emphasizes fundamental blocking and tackling, principles he credits to former coach Chuck Drury, underscoring their belief that success on the line of scrimmage is paramount to winning games.
