MIDDLEBURY, VT – The Ephs traveled two hours north to Middlebury, VT to take on the undefeated Panthers. Middlebury improved their record to 4-0 with a 30-7 victory while Williams fell to 1-3 on the season.
Middlebury opened up the game with a long kick return to near mid-field and scored three plays later on a 40-yard touchdown pass from Cole Kennon to Donavan Wood. Kennon finished the day with 283 total passing yards for four touchdown passes. Williams answered with a 16 play, 73 yard drive capped off by a touchdown rush from senior RB
Joel Nicholas from 6 yards out. This second quarter score would be all that the Ephs would tally on the day.
The Williams defense showed flashes of dominance amidst a few broken plays that gave Middlebury opportunities to score. Senior and captain
Ian Devine recorded two dominant sacks, while senior and captain
Coleston Smith led the defense with 9 tackles. Middlebury scored on a 10 yard pass from Kennon to Jamin with 4 minutes left in the half to head into halftime with a one score lead, at 14-7.
The third quarter was very much back and forth between the Ephs and Panthers, with Middlebury earning a 20-yard field goal from Andrew Haas after a 55 yard drive. Williams' 4th quarter offense made a couple advances but were ultimately thwarted by Middlebury's defense. Early in the last quarter Kennon connected again with Donavan Wood for a second touchdown of the day on a 25 yard pass along the end line of the end zone. Wood ended the day second in receiving with 123 total yards. This touchdown extended the Middlebury lead to 24-7.
Six minutes later, Middlebury scored the final points of the game with a 19 yard touchdown connection to the leading receiver in the game, Greg Livingston. He ended the game with a game high 9 receptions and 125 receiving yards. The ensuing extra point was blocked by the Ephs goal line defense making the final score 30-7.
Eph head coach
Mark Raymond remarked after the game that he was impressed with his team's resilience and comradery amidst a tough battle. The Ephs (1-3) will host Hamilton (1-3) next Saturday on Farley-Lamb field at 1:30pm.
