Defenisve ’Dawgs
Three defensive touchdowns propel Bunnell to shutout of Stratford
STRATFORD — Bunnell set out to make a statement Thursday morning at Penders Field.
Last year’s loss to crosstown rival Stratford knocked the Bulldogs out of any hope for a football postseason berth. With no playoffs on the line this year, a victory, and a decisive one at that, was the ultimate goal.
Bunnell got that statement win: 45-0 over Stratford as the Bulldogs scored three defensive touchdowns.
“It’s a really good feeling,” said Bunnell senior linebacker Eamon Moran, who returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns. “The zero means a lot because my coaches have invested so much time into me, especially my defensive coordinator and my linebackers coach. I felt that shutout was for them.”
Moran returned interceptions for touchdowns on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter. They went for 40 and 75 yards, respectively. Moran was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
Moran said he spent a lot of time watching film on Stratford (3-7), picking up some tendencies that helped with the two interceptions of Stratford quarterback Joe Booska.
“He set the tone for us. He was a four-year player for us, a one-year starter for us and he played out of his mind today,” Bunnell coach Ty Jenkins said about Moran.
Mike Ricketts returned a fumble on a botched hookand-ladder play 35 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to complete the scoring.
Bunnell held Stratford to three first downs through the first three quarters, including one via penalty.
“We didn’t execute in the way that we needed to, that’s really what it came down to, lack of execution offensively or defensively,” Stratford coach Nathan Tyler said.
Bunnell (6-4) now leads the series 42-22
Michael Trovarelli scored the game’s first touchdown, a 34-yard reception from quarterback Steven Mendoza, and added an 18-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
“I lined up in the slot and they were confused. When we said, ‘Hike’, I put my hand up. I knew I was going to be open,” Trovarelli said about his first touchdown. “We knew we were the better team coming into this game. Having a shutout and 45 points, it’s awesome.”
The furthest the Red Devils got was Bunnell’s 27-yard line.
“We were really hoping for a shutout. We really wanted to get back for the seniors last year,” Moran said. “We had two first team All-Conference (SWC) senior linebackers last year. For them to lose that game last Thanksgiving, I thought I really needed to step up for them and show how Bunnell linebackers really play.”
Jenkins broke out a “Town of Bunnell” shirt early in the fourth quarter with the game already in hand.
“We live in town where Stratford’s everywhere. They are the original school,” Jenkins said. “So I told these guys, ‘One day a year, if we win the game, for 24 hours, I’m making it the Town of Bunnell.’ And so today, I think we did that.”
PLAYER OF THE GAME Eamon Moran, Bunnell:
Senior linebacker returned a pair of interceptions for touchdowns on back-toback Stratford possessions in the second quarter.
QUOTABLE
“If we were just singularly focused on just this game every year, the program will never be successful. To me, it’s a lot bigger than, ‘Can we beat Bunnell on Thanksgiving.’ ” — Stratford coach Nathan Tyler