Guilford uses its power running back to defeat Waterford
Waterford — The Waterford football team had to prepare for its nonleague game against Guilford on Friday night without much to go on.
While the Lancers were coming off a 14-13 win over Ledyard in Week 1, Guilford had a bye — leaving Waterford coach John Strecker to only see film of a scrimmage.
The scouting report on Guilford is now available. And the Indians can run the ball. Really well.
The Southern Connecticut Conference team rushed for 273 yards en route to a 28-14 win. Junior Charles Schioppo was the main culprit, gaining 192 yards on 32 carries while running exclusively up the middle.
But while Strecker wasn't pleased with the loss, injuries had taken two starting linemen from both sides of the ball and that proved too much to overcome.
“We had a couple of guys playing their first varsity games,'' said Strecker. “We rotate a lot of guys on our defensive line but we like to keep our offensive line as solid as we can.''
Guilford led 14-0 at halftime as Schioppo had 111 yards rushing on 20 carries. Charles Walcott scored on a 28-yard run in the first quarter and Tyler Filley caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Vashel in the second quarter.
Filley's 28-yard TD run capped Guilford's first possession of the second half and his third extra point made it 21-0.
Waterford's passing came alive in the second half as junior Ryan Bakken finished with 186 yards passing on 10-of-22 after throwing for just eight yards in the first half.
“In the first half (Bakken) made some great reads. He didn't make some great throws,'' said Strecker. “But that was pretty much what they were giving us in the second half.''
Bakken threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Dan Annibalini in the third quarter that featured a pretty juke from Annibalini to strip himself of two defenders. Sam Menders' extra point made it 21-7.
Guilford followed that with a 60-yard drive that ended with Vashel's 10-yard touchdown run and Filley's kick made it 28-7 with 4:02 left in the third quarter.
Bakken's 3-yard touchdown run with 3:35 left in the game capped the scoring.
“We have to pass protect better,'' said Strecker, “And we have to do something with our defensive line. We can't give up that many rushing yards.''
Waterford was held to 47 yards rushing on 22 carries. d.davis@theday.com