Submitted by Eric Anderson.
(Oct. 5, 2018) — In week 4 of the 2018 season, the A, B and C squads traveled to Bloomfield while the D squad traveled to New Hartford for a match up with the Wolverines.
Looking to improve on a 1-2 start to the season with losses to East Hartford and Wethersfield by only 5 and 6 points respectively, the Cougar A squad arrived at Bloomfield looking to maintain aggressive defensive play and capitalize on offensive potential. The Cougars did not disappoint in either category, outscoring the Raiders 28-6 on a very warm last day of September to even their record at 2-2.
Kevin Harrison had an outstanding first half of play, setting up the HK offense inside the 2 yard line on separate series with catches of 18 and 12 yards. Quarterback Alex Phipps finished off both scoring drives with runs up the middle to give the Cougars an early 12-0 lead. Just before half, Phipps connected with Bryce Anderson for a 22 yard strike for a first down and 2 plays later Harrison would add to the HK lead with a score of his own, a 7 yard pass from Phipps in the end zone. Cavin Napoletano finished off the first half scoring with an extra point kick and the Cougars took a 20-0 lead into the half. The Cougar defense held the Raiders to 29 total yards in the first half, all on the ground, with stout play on the defensive line and penetrating defensive pressure from Lee and Cary Harwood and Jayden Fulton who all recorded tackles for losses. Jacob Maier recorded an interception on the Raiders only passing attempt of the first half and Tate Callender and Lee Harwood led the 1st half ground attack with 29 and 27 yards respectively.
In the second half, the Cougars ramped up the defensive pressure with Fulton and Lee Harwood teaming up for a sack and Fulton and Orion Inkel teaming up for a tackle for a loss. Vincent Scileppi and Connor Schipritt brought Bloomfield’s first 2 possessions of the 2nd half to a close with fumble recoveries and Jacob Maier forced a Raider fumble that tumbled out of bounds. HK’s only scoring of the second half was a 20 yard pass play to Bryce Anderson, who elevated for the reception and then broke away from his defender for the score. Napoletano kicked the extra point and Bloomfield would score a touchdown as time expired for a final tally of 28-6.
The win was a true team effort and the defense, who played spirited ball all day, deserves a shout out. Recording tackles on the day were Callender (4.5), Lee Harwood (4), Fulton (3), Ali Chater (3), Scileppi (2.5), Carey Harwood (2.5), Inkel (2), Nick Fox (2), Maier (1), Harrison (1), Ryan Wiese (0.5) and Kevin Gamache (0.5). The offensive line play of Colin and Aiden Griswold, Anthony Maio, Jason Maziarz and Alden Weston allowed the HK runners extra space and Alex Phipps extra time to post a 6 for 11 passing day for 89 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The team hosts Simsbury (2-2) on Sunday at Eric W. Auer Killingworth Recreational Park.
The B squad remains undefeated on the season at 4-0 with a 30-12 win over a Bloomfield team that had not given up a score this season prior to the matchup with HK. Michael Seward led the HK offense with 3 touchdowns (2 rushing, 1 receiving – pass from Cooper Savoy) and 3 extra-point kicks and Noah Conlan added a touchdown. The Cougars defense forced 3 Raider fumbles (Seward 2, Conlon 1) and Conlon had 4 sacks and led the team in tackles. Savoy recovered 2 fumbles and Gunnar Howes had 3 tackles for a loss. Hunter Roth recovered an onside kick by Wyatt Solosky. The team faces South Windsor (0-3) at home on Sunday.
Cougars C-Squad Wins 3rd Straight, 28-0 over Bloomfield Raiders
On a beautiful Fall Sunday, the Cougars traveled north to play Bloomfield. From opening kickoff to final whistle, the boys played good, hard team football. The hosting Raiders kicked off to begin the game and Axel Kolcio picked up the bouncing kick, moved left to the far sideline and ran the ball all the way to the end zone to start the game nicely for the Cougars. Josiah Bourne took an inside hand-off for the PAT and the Cougars were quickly ahead 7-0.
The Raiders’ offense took the field at the H-K 41 yard line, made a first down, but, then their drive stalled, returning the ball to the Cougars on their own 30. The team reeled off a time consuming 11-play, 70-yard touchdown drive, ending in a 6-yard TD toss to Garrett Whitmer from Owen Jones. The PAT was successful on a throw from Jones to John Moyher and the Cougars extended to 14-0. H-K’s defense stopped the Raiders on a 3-and-out, returning the ball to the offense on their own 43. After a false start penalty and three solid runs from Tyler Napierkowski, Josiah Bourne and Josh Frith, the Cougars faced a 4th-and 2. Jones connected with Moyher again for a big 38 yard gain, moving the ball to the Raider 11. Axel Kolcio scored on the next play on a pass from Owen Jones; Josh Frith with the PAT run and the Cougars took a 21-0 lead into halftime.
The second half featured more terrific play from the Cougar defense. The front line of Josiah Bourne, Jake McGrath, Eli Hamman-Shay, Kyle House, Stephen Bonczek, Nate Mulhall, and John Moyher made life difficult for the Raider offensive line. Linebackers Jack O’Brien, Garrett Whitmer and Josh Frith were also outstanding. H-K limited Bloomfield to 24 yards on 20 snaps and only two first downs. The Cougar offense in the second half was led by QB Lucas Norko who engineered a 10-play 78-yard drive, culminating in a TD run from Tyler Napierkowski. Tim Hickman ran in the PAT to finish the scoring for the Cougars. With the offense gaining 149 yards rushing and 59 yards passing, clearly the offensive line played outstanding football. Nate Mulhall, Noah Soucie, Kyle House, Jack O’Brien and Eli Hamman-Shay were terrific in getting their jobs done.
The Cougars host South Windsor on Sunday at 1pm at Eric W. Auer Killingworth Recreational Park. Please come out and support the boys!
The D squad notched their first win of the season on the road with a 20-18 win over the New Hartford Wolverines. Andrew Soucie scored the first 2 touchdowns of the game and Issac Edwards and Micheal Hardgrove capped of the Soucie scores with extra point runs. Edwards then added another touchdown to go with his earlier extra point. Miles Norko and Evan O’Neil had big days on defense containing New Hartford’s outside running game. The team faces an undefeated South Windsor team at home on Sunday.
Sunday marks week 5 and the start of the second half of the regular season with B, C and D squads hosting South Windsor and A squad hosting Simsbury.
