Terriers Hold Off Rams

The Rocky Hill football team was down at halftime Friday night, but a change in the game plan helped propel the Terriers to victory, 21-14.

The Terriers had trouble defending the pass during the game, especially in the first quarter. Bristol Central was able to complete a 73-yard pass, which would set up the only score of the first half. Bristol Central would score a few plays later on one-yard touchdown run by Mike Benites. However, the kicker for the Rams would miss the extra point.

Shane Steinman would recover a fumble late in the second quarter for the Terriers but, Rocky Hill was unable to turn the turnover into points.

In the first half, Bristol Central was able to hold the running back combination of Chris Young and Alex Denardo in check. At halftime, Terriers head coach Dave Coyne decided to run the ball up the middle more with fullback Greg Marzilli. The decision would pay dividends for the Terriers.

Marzilli would score back-to-back touchdowns for Rocky Hill on a five-yard run in the third quarter and a 10-year run in the fourth quarter. He would finish the game with 70 yards rushing on 11 carries.

Bristol Central would tie the game up in the fourth quarter on 19-yard pass from Andrew Laviero to Benites. Laviero would run it in for the two-point conversion.

However, the Terriers would come right back and score on DeNardo five-yard run to take the lead for good.

DeNardo would rush 62 yards on nine carries and Young would run for 107 yards on 18 carries. Troy Syme completed one pass for 14 yards and rushed for three yards.

Matt Clapp led the Terriers’ defense with 10 tackles (five solo) and a sack for a loss of five yards. Chris Stoneburner had nine tackles (six solo) and Brandon Renk had eight tackles (six solo). Nico Sutera also had a sack.

With the win, Rocky Hill is 7-2 and ranked sixth in the Class S conference. They are first in the CCC Division III West and undefeated in division play. The Terriers have a Thanksgiving matchup with Northwest Catholic at 10 a.m. at Northwest Catholic High School.