Football Falls to Avon Old Farms on Controversial Fourth Quarter Penalty

AVON, CT - Big Red drove out to Avon Farms Old Farms School for their last game before E/a weekend. Exeter gave Avon a good battle, but unfortunately, Big Red did not get the win, falling short by a touchdown, 21-28. Football heads into E/a weekend with a 6-1 record after this loss.Exeter once again failed to play a good first half, and Avon took full advantage of Exeter’s shortcoming. Avon’s running backs—Andre Boggs, who is headed to Rutgers University next year, and Mickoy Nichol—destroyed Exeter’s defense in the first half. “They ran a lot of plays up the middle. We started the game with just three linebackers in and it was difficult to stop them,” upper Kelvin Borges said.“In the beginning of the game we just couldn’t stop them on the ground; they would break off ten yards every single time,” lower Jason Corcoran added.With Exeter’s defense unable to rein Avon’s rushing attack, Avon took a 22-0 lead early in the half, but Exeter did have a few shining moments, including a rushing touchdown by Exeter’s running back Auggy Roberts ‘14. Avon tacked on another score before the half, and Big Red entered the locker room trailing 28-7.After the tough first half on defense, Big Red’s defense ended the Avon’s scoring night. Avon would score no more than 28. With Exeter’s defense back on track, it was time for the offense to shine. Quarterback Vince Sansone scored the first touchdown of the half on a run; Avon now led by two touchdowns. Big Red co-captain Joey Hebl ‘14 then scored the next touchdown for the team on a catch from Sansone, putting the game within reach for Exeter.Although Exeter did not come home with the W in this game, they came tragically close. On the last play of the game, Vince Sansone heaved a ball to team co-captain Matt Greaves ’14, who played in the game despite a pulled hamstring. In the end zone, Greaves—in triple coverage—made the catch, but unfortunately, Big Red’s spectacular comeback was rejected by a questionable penalty. Sansone was called for passing the line of scrimmage. Although review on the tape showed him behind the line of scrimmage, Exeter was robbed of their chance to win the game.Exeter came close to leading another second half comeback, but the team found the Avon’s lead too large in the end. “Throughout the entire season we have been a second half team, but we dug ourselves too deep of a hole,” Corcoran said.Although Exeter could not keep their undefeated season alive, Big Red will be looking forward to ending Andover’s own undefeated season during E/a. “This week we just need to stay extra focused in practice to get the win,” upper Jake Willett said. With the extra focus, Corcoran knows that Big Red can come away victorious, “With the talent that we have, if we show up to play, there is no doubt in my mind that we will win.” With the extra drive of rivalry pushing Big Red to win, Andover will surely have a tough time taking home the win.