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Saturday September 13th, 2008
BIG RED – 35 AVON – 28
Location: Avon, CT
Exeter kicked off the regular season with a Big Red victory in the opening game of the year. Taking on an always competitive and hard nosed Avon squad, the Big Red came away with the win after what turned out to be a high scoring offensive dual.
Following a solid week of preparation after the Thayer Scrimmage, the Football Team put their work on the grid iron to good use and came out flying. Despite a first series case of the jitters, where both the Big Red and the Winged Beavers traded fumbles on the first two offensive plays of the game from the two teams, Exeter pulled it together quickly and powered the ball past the goal line on just their 6th offensive play of the day. Post-Graduate Niccollo Mastromatteo found his way into the end zone on a 5 yard run to cap off the 65 yard drive. The day was not all kept to the ground as just two series later Mastromatteo picked of an Avon pass to set up a drive in which Post-Graduate Captain Patrick Donnelly (13/26 with 185 yards passing and 71 yards rushing) took to the air, completing a 50 yard touchdown pass to fellow Post-Graduate Tellef Lundevall (5 receptions for 106 yards) on a well executed play.
However, Avon was not about to be lulled to sleep as they proved they too were capable of putting up offense. Despite solid defense from the Big Red, Avon snuck in 7 points with a tough dozen play drive. After pinning Avon back at their own 2 yard line, the Big Red returned an Avon punt 33 yards, punching their way in on another Mastromatteo run. Mastromatteo would later rush for his third and final touchdown of the game finishing with an astounding 160 yard rushing and 115 yards returning.
Following Avon's second touchdown of the game, the Big Red special teams blocked the ensuing Extra-Point and kept the Winged Beavers at bay with 13 points. Upper Evan Sequeira would later tough his way into the end zone with an impressive 16 yard run that included 3 broken tackles and great execution from the offensive line. Not to be left out of the action was Senior Alex Akoto who kept several Big Red drives moving with key first down catches to cap off the day with 6 catches for 70 yards. Although the stats may be credited to single players it is not to go without mention that the hard-nosed work from the line was one of the large reasons for the success of the Big Red offense.
Despite a high scoring victory for Exeter, the Big Red Defense came through with several key stops and numerous big plays in order to keep Avon from gathering all the way back into the game. The defense accounted for a half dozen forced punts, one of which was blocked and recovered by Upper Thomas Jardine, through well executed assignments and team work. With 3 sacks on the day and a first quarter interception by the defense it was an all-around effort by Exeter to come away with a season-opening win. Thanks to all of the friends and parents who made the trip all the way to Avon to cheer on the boys.
The players and coaches would like to thank the parents for all of their hard work and contribution to a very successful Friday Night Lights dinner. FNL has become a wonderful tradition with Big Red football. It has become something that the boy's look forward to. An extra thanks to Tracy Gardner for all her organization and coordination of all the parents and the meal plans.
Already back to work for the week, the Big Red will travel down to Worcester, MA to take on Worcester Academy in what always proves to be a battle. Game Time is set for 3:30 this coming Saturday, September 20th.
GO BIG RED! Submitted by Coach Glennon
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Saturday September 20th, 2008
BIG RED – 33 WORCESTER – 7
Location: Worcester, MA
Taking on the Hilltoppers Saturday, the Big Red came away with what proved to be an overall team victory by displaying both a high scoring offense and an unforgiving defense.
After allowing 28 points to Avon in the previous week's game, Exeter showed that they can always work to improve by keeping Worcester Academy to 7 points and only giving up an impressive 59 yards rushing. Defensive tackle Casey Bessemer (PG) stepped up as a solid force by leading the team in tackles. The Big Red defense helped to change the pace of the game by making two of the day's pivotal stops. Following a slow start and falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, Exeter showed their force by stopping the Hilltoppers on a 4th and Inches by driving Worcester's front line back and causing WA to turn over the ball on downs. Dan Maddox (Lower) helped to seal the victory by intercepting a Worcester pass later in the game, which would lead to another Big Red touchdown.
With a solid defensive effort, Exeter's offense was able to break down Worcester's coverage throughout the game. Highlighting the day was the Big Red's passing game which came away with 4 touchdowns through the air, caught by 4 different senior receivers, an impressive accomplishment at any level. Tellef Lundevall (PG), Alex Akoto (Senior), Justin Ramos (Senior) and Taylor Diamond (Senior) hauled in the passes from Captain Patrick Donnelly (PG). Running back Evan Sequeira (Upper) stepped up and muscled his way in for the first touchdown of the day to bring the Big Red back to even with WA. Combining solid running and passing, while ridding the penalty margin to nearly a fraction of the Avon game, put the Big Red on the way to victory. Not to go unmentioned, Exeter's front line proved they were a force that would not give in against an always aggressive Worcester team.
Although the week had to make due without the second Friday Night Lights Dinner, due to a required alumni dinner for the students, the team most appreciatively had their fill of home cooking at the Riley's house. After waiting several hours with a broken down bus, the team eagerly filled the outdoor banquet hall at the Riley's for another great dinner. The coaches and players would like to thank the Riley's for their hospitality and all of the parents who contributed to a great post-game event.
The Big Red will host their home game opener this weekend against Choate in Phelps Stadium at Exeter. The game has a scheduled start for 4:30pm this coming Saturday, September 27th. GO BIG RED! Submitted by Coach Glennon
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Saturday September 27th, 2008
BIG RED – 27 CHOATE – 24
Location: Exeter, NH
It was a wet home opener for the Big Red on Saturday as they took on the Wild Boars of Choate. The game showcased Exeter's sharp new home jerseys, just in time to break them in with 4 solid quarters of New England rain.
Exeter knew that Choate would be anther good and strong opponent playing in a game that would have to be won with execution and toughness. Off the bat it seemed as though Choate might be that team as they took advantage of a defensive miscue and took in a 55 yard pass for the games first touchdown. However Exeter would not back down as the team forced the ensuing extra-point kick wide right.
The Big Red would have to prove that they were able to pound the ball down the field with their run game in addition to the passing game that scored 4 touchdowns in the previous week. With a ground total of 153 rushing yards by Evan Sequeira (lower) it appeared well proven by the effort of the entire offense. Sequeira completed the day with three touchdowns, which included a 12 yard touchdown reception. Alex Akoto (senior) scored the games remaining touchdown on a well executed pass pattern in addition to a nicely placed ball by quarterback Patrick Donnelly (PG).
Execution seemed to be the difference maker in Saturday's game as Choate failed to execute any of their point after tries which included two missed extra point kicks, a fumble on a 2 pt. play and a deflected pass on another 2 pt. try. Defense sealed the victory for Exeter as they kept Choate to minimal offense in the remaining 5 minutes of the game. The defensive line highlighted themselves towards the end, following a solid game, as they forced Choate's quarterback to hurry throws and knocked down those that he couldn't complete. A Tellef Lundevall (PG) interception off a deflection from Sam Gardner (senior) gave Exeter the ball back with under 4 minutes. Choate would get one last chance at a comeback with under 2 minutes remaining in the game, but again good execution and tough, hardnosed playing, capped the win with a 4th down pass being batted down by Patrick Donnelly (PG). The game marked another great win against one of the top teams in Class A Prep Football.
The Coaches and Players would like to thank the parents for another successful and enjoyable Friday Night Lights Dinner this past weekend and to the fans who were able to attend the drenched Saturday Evening game under the lights. The Big Red will host the Pelicans of Loomis Chaffee this upcoming Saturday, home in Exeter at Phelps Stadium under the lights again with a start time of 5:00 pm. Submitted by Coach Glennon
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Saturday October 4th, 2008
BIG RED – 20 Loomis – 7
Location: Exeter, NH
The Big Red came away with a tough win against a formidable Loomis Chaffee team on Saturday. The day started out down for Exeter as Loomis took advantage of a secondary breakdown early in the game, throwing a deep pass 47 yards for a touchdown. The first half reflected the slow Big Red start as Loomis controlled most of the action as Loomis went into the half with an unexpected 7-0 lead over Exeter.
Not to be outdone by themselves, the fired up Exeter team came out ready to play at the beginning of the 3rd quarter. Led by senior captain Sam Gardner, the Big Red turned the gears and began pushing the run game down the field on Loomis. With Runs of 46 and 24, Gardner got the team excited as they drove down the field to what would turn out to be the Big Red's first of 3 unanswered touchdowns. Exeter would find its game through the air as well as the first and third touchdowns would come off of passes from PG Captain Patrick Donnelly to Gardner and PG wide-out Tellef Lundevall, capping the second touchdown of the day was a QB sneak by Donnelly.
Converting much needed fourth downs is what seemed to seal the deal for Exeter, with probably the most important one being a fourth and six completion to Gardner for the first touchdown of the day. Solid second half defense proved to be an unforgiving answer to the Loomis offense that had seemed to push around the Big Red in the first half of play. Upper Danny Maddox and PG Casey Bessemer led the charge by leading the team in tackles, with Tellef Lundevall picking off a dangerous goal line pass from the Pelicans to get the momentum back in Exeter's favor.
With second half play that seemed to be a complete 180 degree turn from the first half, the Big Red football squad pulled away an impressive second half victory against a very willing and under rated Loomis Chaffee team. It was going to take every individual on the team to come together and pick each other up in order to pull of the win and that is exactly what seemed to happen in the third and fourth quarters of Saturday's contest.
The coaches and players would again like to thank the parents for another successful Friday Night Lights Dinner and for their and all of the fans support in what turned out to be an exciting, yet unexpected, comeback win. The Big Red will face off against an always tough Northfield Mount Herman team next Saturday, at Mount Herman on the Hogger's homecoming weekend. Submitted by Coach Glennon.
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Big Red Loses Heartbreaker 22-21
On a beautiful Western Massachusetts afternoon things started out as bright as the sunshine for the Big Red. Exeter took the opening kick off and drove 75 yards to open the scoring early in the first quarter. With precision plays culminating in a 6 yard Evan Sequeira jaunt into the end zone. The point after by Shailin Thomas was good and Exeter led 7-0.
NMH took their turn and on the first series hit a pass for a 74 yard TD strike on a blown coverage by the Big red secondary and then converted a two point attempt for an 8-7 NMH lead. This did not seem to bother the Big Red. This however is when the winds of change took to the field.
Already playing without four of the starters, Evan Sequeira was injured and out for the remainder of the game. Exeter continued to move the ball as Donnelly hit Sam Gardner and Tellef Lundevall on crucial pass plays for big gains and Jason Brown, now at Tailback and only a sophomore, entered the game and ran very well. As we approached the red zone and another scoring opportunity Patrick Donnelly our exceptional QB was injured and out for the remainder of the first half.
In trotted Colin Dougherty and proceeded to finish off the drive scoring himself on a 2 yard run again the PAT was good and Exeter led 14-8.
This is when injuries and inexperience started to show. The boys played with tremendous heart, effort and desire. NMH scored on a TD pass late in the half after an Exeter fumbled punt as Justin Ramos was interfered with by the NMH defender…but no flag. Still the boys would persevere as these situations would plague Exeter the rest of the game. The half ended 14-14 as the Big Red Defense thwarted the two point conversion attempt.
Quarterback Pat Donnelly re-entered the game in the second half and gave the truly "Gutsy" performance to rally the Big Red for another score by completing passes to Lundevall, Ramos and Gardner. Brown then capped the drive with his first career TD.
The PAT again was good and Exeter held a 21-14 lead but more injuries appeared as Ryan Eggers went down as did Jason Brown. Even though we were hobbled by the injuries the Boys never withered. Sander Scott one of our starting linebackers who has never carried the ball as a tailback rushed for more than 60 yards in the second half. With less than 3 minutes left in the game Exeter scored on a beautiful pass from Donnelly to Ramos for a TD that could have sealed the game but lady luck was not on our side as a late flag negated the TD and so Exeter settled for a field goal try but the ball sailed wide and the scene was set for a wild ending. NMH threw a desperation pass with less than 2 minutes and a great catch brought the ball to the 30 yard line where Gabo Borunda, another sophomore made a great tackle. With time running down NMH scored on a 4th down run and would go for two for the win. Exeter sniffed out the fake and with the QB being wrapped up by Mike Hamel he threw the ball and it landed in a receivers hands and a race to the corner of the goal-line ensued. It appeared we had stopped the play short of the End Zone it was ruled good and Exeter came away on the wrong end of the score.
Brilliant performances by Sophomores Borunda and Brown highlighted the day. Also uppers Scott, Tom Jardine and Charles Curtis gave a great effort. An outstanding performance by PG Tellef Lundevall. Telly caught 5 passes for 91 yards and picked off three NMH passes as well as making 9 tackles. Colin Dougherty receives accolades as he stepped in at QB and led Exeter to a go ahead score in the first half as well as stepping in to punt as Exeter's three punters were all injured.
Matt Cook played a great game on special teams and downed three of our punts inside the 10 yard line as well as making tackles on the kick off team.
Come support the Big Red this weekend against Deerfield one of the top teams in New England.Game time is 4:30. Submitted by Coach Glennon.
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Saturday October 18th, 2008
BIG RED – 0 Deerfield – 16
Location: Exeter, NH
The Big Red took on the always tough Deerfield Academy on Parents' Weekend. The physically tough Deerfield Big Green came out right off the bat, proving that both teams were in for a close game.
Exeter's Offense did not appear to show up in the same light that it has been throughout the year as the game ended with the Big Red being shut out. With Deerfield keeping Exeter to a low 52 rushing yards total, it is no surprise that the offense could not get going successfully. Some big plays highlighted the day offensively for Exeter, including a long third down conversion from quarterback Patrick Donnelly (PG) to wide out Justin Ramos (Senior) for a pick up of 35 yards, getting Exeter moving. However turnovers and a lack of more third down conversions caused the Big Red to spend a substantial time on defense.
The Defense played solid in the second half of the game, following a first half which depicted a Deerfield offense being able to pick up easy rushing yards. After putting themselves together, the run defense of Exeter stepped up their game and began to push back the Green. LB Thomas Jardine (Upper) picked off a Deerfield pass off of a great effort in the end zone. Confusion was spread among the officials as the nearest ref to the play originally called the play a touchdown until realizing a red jersey had the ball. After discussion the officials ruled the play a questionable incomplete pass and Deerfield kicked a 28 yard field goal to put the Green ahead 16-0. An interception by S Gabo Borunda (Lower) made for some excitement early in the game, however Exeter was unable to convert on the turnover.
The game turned out to be a hard fought effort by both squads, with Exeter never willing to give up and put their heads down. This could be most noted following Deerfield's second touchdown where Alexander Scott (Upper) broke through the Deerfield line and blocked the Extra Point. Missed tackles and early timid play seemed to be the weak point of the chain for Exeter. A solid defensive effort kept the Green to just 16 points, however a Big Red offense that just could not get anything going left Exeter with their first shut out in several seasons.
This week the Big Red look to get back on their feet as they take on the Penguins of Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, MA on Saturday October 25th. The game is slated to start at 5:30PM under the lights. The Coaches and Players would like to thank the parents for another great Friday Night Lights Dinner as well as their continuing support throughout the season. Submitted by Coach Glennon
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Saturday October 25th, 2008
BIG RED – 29 Cushing – 24
Location: Ashburnham, MA
The Big Red took the field on a windy Saturday evening to take on the Penguins of Cushing Academy. Exeter was looking to right themselves after a two game losing streak to Deerfield Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon.
Cushing took the ball on the first possession of the game and woke up the Big Red defense by driving the ball for well over 5 minutes and taking it into the end zone for an 8-0 lead, following a successful two point conversion play. Two point conversions seemed to be a struggle for the defense as Cushing attempted and succeeded on 3 of 3 tries on the day. With their eyes now open, the Big Red offense stormed down the field on a mere 5 play drive that took them for a touchdown off of a 1 yard touchdown run by Evan Sequeira (Upper). With the score 8-6 Exeter attempted a two point conversion of their own but were held short as the pass was deflected by a Cushing defender.
Although the Cushing offense was able to sustain lengthy drives, Exeter's defense was able to cause havoc in both the secondary and behind the line of scrimmage as defensive lineman Casey Bessemer (PG) recorded the day's only sack which also turned out to be a safety. Danny Maddox (Upper), Sander Scott (Upper) and Tellef Lundevall (PG) recorded interceptions, with Scott picking off two of Cushing passes. Exeter did a nice job holding the Penguins back to long third downs, but seemed to allow many of those to be converted.
The Offense found a groove to work with on Saturday as they were able to put up 27 points on two Sequeira runs and two Patrick Donnelly (PG) passes, one to Lundevall and the other to Justin Ramos (Senior). Ramos had a stand out day as he pulled in 5 receptions for a total of 90 yards and one of the season's top touchdowns. Ramos shook four separate defenders, ran 30 yards after the catch and dove into the end zone off of a downfield block by Bessemer for the score. The offense as a whole appeared to be back on track and ready to play as they put up the numbers they had been previously in the year.
The Big Red defense held their ground at the end of the game as Maddox made his interception with under a minute left in the game and returned it 45 yards for the score. An illegal block below the waist called the return back, however the damage was done and Exeter took a knee to seal the victory.
The Coaches and Players would like to thank all of the Parents for their continued support throughout the season both on the field and off, as well as after another successful Friday Night Lights Dinner occurred prior to the game. This week the Big Red take on the Blair Academy Buccaneers at Home on Saturday November 1st, with a scheduled start time of 3:00PM. Submitted by Coach Glennon
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Saturday November 1st, 2008
BIG RED – 25 BLAIR – 36
Location: Exeter, NH
Exeter welcomed Blair Academy to campus for the first football meeting between the two teams. Saturday also marked the last home game of the season for Exeter with the game being preceded by the recognizing of this year's senior varsity players.
The Big Red came out strong with a solid defensive effort on Blair's first drive of the game, creating a three and out situation which forced the Buccaneer's to punt early. The Buccaneers running back lived up to his billing by rushing for more than 250 yards and 3 TD's. Dion Lewis had already signed to play at Pitt next year and he showed the reason why he is heading to a top BCS school. Coming back the other way, Exeter drove the ball down the field on great catches from Tellef Lundevall (PG) and Justin Ramos (Senior), along with a solid run game lead by Jason Brown (Lower). Brown capped the drive off with an exceptional run, eluding defenders and finding his way into the end zone for the games first score and an early Exeter lead.
Blair proved to be a formidable opponent as Exeter successfully kept the Buccaneers to short drives; however the big play offense of Blair was able to finish several of those short drives with long touchdown runs and a single touchdown pass. Special teams helped to keep the game in check by causing two missed extra points by Blair. The first half came to a close with a questionable field goal by Blair, giving the Buccaneers and extra push going into the break.
Not to be counted out, the Big Red offense was flying on the field having one of Exeter's more successful days with the ball. Having been held to only 3 punts the entire game, one being a successful fake punt completion from Patrick Donnelly (PG) to Lundevall for a first down, it was apparent that the Big Red offense was able to move the ball. Donnelly found a wide open Ramos for the day's first passing touchdown and a wide open Taylor Diamond (Senior) for Exeter's final touchdown. Brown scored both of the Big Red rushing touchdowns. A blocked extra point and a failed two point conversion attempt by Exeter slowed down Big Red's response. A missed onside kick late in the fourth quarter gave the ball back to Blair and all but seemed to close the doors to a Big Red comeback.
The upcoming week marks the last game of the season for Exeter as they take on arch rival Andover in one of the oldest and most exciting football rivalries in the country. The Exeter-Andover rivalry game will be held in Andover, MA with a start time of 2:30PM. The game will also be televised live via the internet for those unable to attend. Information can be found at www.exeter.edu.
The Coaches and Players would again like to thank the parents for another successful Friday Night Lights Dinner and for their continuing support throughout the season.-- Submitted by Coach Glennon.
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* denotes time change from original schedule.
