Pomperaug football uses big second half to roll past Bunnell, stay unbeaten
· Yahoo Sports
STRATFORD - The gauntlet is over and the Pomperaug football team is still undefeated. After facing three playoff teams from a year ago in its first four games, the Panthers are 4-0 and are no longer just surviving the schedule, but they are now in prime position to make the playoffs themselves.
"We want to be one of them," Pomperaug senior running back Gavin Lynch said. "We ran the same play over and over and once it started working, we started wearing them down and it was our work ethic that took us there."
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After beating playoff teams Brookfield and Newtown, the Panthers turned in a dominant second half, running away from Bunnell 49-21 behind a punishing ground attack.
Running its "flexbone" offense, Pomperaug turned a 21-14 halftime lead into a rout, scoring three times following second-half interceptions, including on the first two possessions of the third quarter, capped by Lynch touchdown runs.
"Coming out at halftime, we went from 21-14 to 35-14 in a matter of minutes," Pomperaug coach Tony Pereira said. "We came out with a couple of key turnovers and that put the game out of reach. Our defense has been steadily improving each week."
The Panthers' defense was swarming all night, causing five Bunnell turnovers.
"Too many mistakes," Bunnell coach Ty Jenkins said. "That's a generational team right there. We started three freshmen tonight, our defense had 10 juniors on it and we lost four starters to injury in the first quarter. I think we will be OK, it's a long season and we are going to be fine."
Bunnell gave up 57 points in its season-opening loss to Notre Dame Prep, but did not allow any points the following two weeks before allowing 49 Friday.
Lynch scored three times for Pomperaug, Josh Coughlin had touchdown runs of 37 and 29 yards, Jack Guinipero had a 30-yard touchdown run and Dom Creaco scored on a 31-yard touchdown run.
Bunnell got a 3-yard touchdown run by John Redding and a 25-yard touchdown pass from Jake Garrigan to Rody Ricketts to keep it close in the first half.
Pomperaug has a bye next week and will travel to Harding for its next game Oct. 16 at 6 p.m., while Bunnell will be at Masuk in two weeks for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Player of the game
Gavin Lynch, Pomperaug: The senior scored on runs of 2, 7 and 3 yards and also picked up some big yards elsewhere to help lead the Panthers' offense.
Quotable
"I love (my offensive line). They placed second at the (Southington) Linemen Challenge. I love those boys and they do everything for us and I am proud to run for them." - Gavin Lynch.
Pomperaug 49, Bunnell 21
POMPERAUG 7 14 14 14-49
BUNNELL 0 14 0 7-21
P-Jack Guinipero 30 run (Jack Reeder kick)
P-Josh Coughlin 37 run (Reeder kick)
B-John Redding 3 run (Chicago Edouard kick)
P-Coughlin 29 run (Reeder kick)
B-Rody Ricketts 25 pass from Jake Garrigan (Edouard kick)
P-Gavin Lynch 3 run (Reeder kick)
P-Lynch 7 run (Reeder kick)
P-Dom Creaco 31 run (Reeder kick)
P-Lynch 2 run (Reeder kick)
B-Eron Victorian TD (Edouard kick)
Team records: Pomperaug 4-0; Bunnell 2-2.
This article originally published at Pomperaug football uses big second half to roll past Bunnell, stay unbeaten.