Schools

Colonels Escape Branford, 28-21

Secure Probable Playoff Bid With Exciting Come-From-Behind Win

The Ledyard High School football team traveled to Branford Thursday and came away with the gutsiest win of the year, rallying in the second half to top the Hornets of the Southern Connecticut Conference for a 28-21 last-minute victory.

“This was the toughest victory in a long time for Ledyard,” parent Ted Stockmom said. “Branford was all over Alex Manwaring the second he got the ball.” With the Colonels having trouble passing, Stockmom said, “the only thing that kept us moving was Slade Baxley.”

The Colonels trailed the 3-6 Hornets 21-6 at the half, and it was beginning to look like an upset was in the works.

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Ledyard Coach Jim Buonocore had said before the game that his team’s success would depend on playing sound, disciplined defense.  “Defense is the name of the game. We certainly hang our hat on that.”

Ledyard’s defense stepped up big time in the second half, Stockmom said, holding the Hornets scoreless. But the Colonels still had to score some points. And that's where Baxley, who scored 22 of Ledyard's 28 points, came up huge.

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“We had a chance to tie the game at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but we missed the extra point,” Stockmon said.

Then, with only 22 seconds left in the game, quarterback John Rainey took off from 20 yards out and ran through the outer edge of the end zone, tipping the pylon for a 26-21 lead.

Just to be sure, Baxley converted for two extra points and the Colonels held on for the win. Ledyard has now swept the two-game series with Branford, winning last year at Mignault Field by an almost identical 28-20 score.

“The players celebrated as though they had won a championship,” said Stockmon, who said Baxley was awarded the WELI MVP award. “They were euphoric that their post-season hopes were still alive.”

Indeed, with the win, the 8-1 Colonels are all but guaranteed a bid in the state tournament. They will host Fitch on Thanksgiving in the regular season finale.

“It wasn't a pretty win,” Stockmom said, “but once again they showed a lot of heart and never gave up.”


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