The Wolcott High football team led by two touchdowns late in the first half of Friday night’s game at Joe Monroe Field, but Kennedy was on the move.
Kennedy pushed the ball deep into Wolcott territory, getting inside the 10-yard line. The Wolcott defense stood tall and stopped Kennedy on downs. Wolcott used the momentum gained to forge a four-touchdown lead on the way to a 35-13 victory over Kennedy. Wolcott improved to 2-5 while Kennedy fell to 1-6.
Josh Dunne got the party started with a 75-yard touchdown on the game’s opening kickoff. The first of five Matt Johnson extra points without a miss made the score 7-0 in favor of the home team. Dunne made some nice moves and bolted down the sideline for the score.
Jahon Rose put Wolcott ahead by two scores with a 49-yard touchdown run. Rose got a little more playing time in the backfield with starting running back Matt LaMontagne being a little banged up, according to head coach Tony Bell.
In the third quarter, Wolcott quickly extended its lead. At the 10-yard line, Bell faked a handoff, then fired a pass toward the end zone. Riley Albanese-Harrison stuck his hand out, then was able to control the ball for the touchdown. Later in the quarter, LaMontagne didn’t give up on a short run and scored from three yards out.
Kennedy didn’t quit, and Dereck Ledee scored twice on touchdown runs of five and 25 yards. Ledee’s first touchdown, followed by a Miguel Castillo extra point, made the score 28-7. Ledee’s second run, which was made possible by a strong stiff arm, cut the deficit to 28-13. Castillo’s extra point attempt clanged off the right upright, but Kennedy was in the game with 8:09 left in the fourth quarter.
Bell completed a deep pass down the left sideline on the ensuing drive. Rose had a couple strong runs, then Bell lofted an 11-yard touchdown pass to Albanese-Harrison with 3:53 to play to put the game away.
“The kids played with heart, and that’s what I told you at the beginning of the season. That’s what I wanted,” Coach Bell said.
GALLERY: Here are my photos from Friday night’s game.
PHOTO CAPTION: Wolcott quarterback Anthony Bell (25) hands off to Jahon Rose (8) during Friday night’s game against Kennedy at Joe Monroe Field in Wolcott. (Copyright, Sports on CT-69)
