QB hurt in loss to Essex

Sept. 16, 2010

The Champlain Valley Union High football team returns home Saturday and to its Division 2 after last Friday’s experience

Champlain Valley Union High quarterback Derrick Goodwin (28) awaits a snap during Friday’s loss to Essex High. Goodwin stepped in at quarterback after starter Konnor Fleming left the game with an ankle injury. (Courtesy photo by Joe Kropf)

in Division 1. In the top division, the Redhawks suffered a 39-13 defeat at Essex High at the hands and quick feet of the defending state champions.

North Country Union High will make the trip from Newport to Hinesburg for 1 p.m. Saturday. North Country carries a 2-0 record, following Friday night’s 22-13 victory over Mount Mansfield Union, a team that nipped Essex in overtime the previous week in Jericho Center.

“North Country is tough,” CVU head coach Jim Provost said Monday. “They run the option very well.”

Health is a concern of the Redhawks’ staff. Senior co-captain and quarterback Konnor Fleming had an angry ankle flare up early in the second quarter against Essex and had to leave the game. His status will be evaluated all week.

There are other dings and bruises as well, including a balky wrist that, while protected, limits junior linebacker and co-captain Drew Nick to defense. Nick was the backup quarterback but that chore Friday fell to senior Derek Goodwin, who ran the offense over the last two-and-a half quarters.

“He only started taking snaps in practice on Thursday,” said Provost. “Derek gave us a heroic effort.”

Right after the game, Provost had nothing but praise for the effort of the entire team. The Redhawks fell behind the pass happy, quick striking Hornets 14-0 early, but then regrouped to trail 20-10 at intermission.

The ultimate game changer came early in the third period after CVU had a second half-opening, 55-yard drive stall at the Essex 21. From there, a Tucker Kohlasch 30-yard field goal try went wide.

Taking over at the Essex 20, Hornets’ senior signal caller Ryan Mitchell drilled a pass some 20 yards down the right sideline to mercury-footed wide receiver Mike DiMambro. The receiver leaped to snatch the ball from not one, but two CVU defenders and escaped to speed the remaining 60 yards into the end zone for a 26-10 Essex advantage.

It was the second scoring reception of the night for DiMambro, who missed Essex’s opener with an injury. He wound up with six catches for 137 yards.

In all, Mitchell put the ball in the air 34 times and completed 17, four for touchdowns, before leaving the game late in the third period with an injury. At the start of the contest, Essex threw 12 passes and punted once before trying a run (1 yard) on its 14th play from scrimmage.

Mitchell’s touchdown strikes were of 15 and 80 yards to DiMambro, 1 yard to Jordan Goodrich and 29 yards to Matt Mulcahy.

Trailing 14-0, the Redhawks struck late in the first period when Fleming, on a keeper, bolted 39 yards into the end zone and Kohlasch booted the point-after.

Fleming had 45 yards in four carries prior to leaving.

Goodwin also found some success in the quarterback keepers, picking up 72 yards in 14 tries. Otherwise, a large and generally immovable Essex defensive line proved tough work for the CVU ground game, although Tyler Barnes was able to smash his way for 44 yards in nine sorties.

Kohlasch did knock down a pair of 27-yard field goals.

CVU wide receiver and defensive end Taylor Gingras caught five passes for 74 yards. He was also a hard-hitting presence on the CVU defense along with defensive lineman Crawford Morris, who sacked Mitchell once and helped busy linebacker Eric Palmer with another. The two sacks cost Essex 17 yards in losses.

“Essex was hitting on all cylinders tonight,” Provost said after the game. “We threw the kitchen sink at them but they handled it.”

CVU-Essex, stats

CVU            7            3            3            0   –   13

Essex            14        6            13           6   –   39

CVU ESSEX

First downs                    15                        12

Rushing yards              180                        47

Passing yards               163                        291

Return yards                130                        71

Comp-Att-Int             12-29-1                19-38-0

Sacked-Yards lost       0-0                        2-17

Punts-Avg                    4-39                      5-31

Fumbles-lost                2-0                        1-0

Penalties-yards            7-53                     5-40