CVU football season ends, Five Redhawks named to State All-Star team

By Holly Fournier

All good things must come to an end, and so it did on Friday night with CVU’s playoff defeat at the hands of South Burlington, 42-20. The loss marks the end to a remarkable run for the Redhawks in their Division 1 debut.

It was just six years ago that the school’s club team earned varsity status and played their first game in D-4. After ascending rapidly through the Vermont divisional ranks, CVU’s program should be proud. The Redhawks ended their first D-1 regular season in the top half of the standings with a 5-3 record and achieved a playoff berth.

Although a playoff victory proved elusive for the Redhawks, there were many exciting moments that kept the Sea of Red in the stands on their feet all night. Fans roared as Tyson White returned a kick-off 77 yards for a touchdown – his blistering speed proved too much for the Rebels. Fans cheered when the Rebel signal caller was not only intercepted, but later sacked by CVU’s own quarterback, Drew Nick. And fans were energized when, over the course of the game, Michael Fournier deflected three passes and recovered a fumble.

CVU’s other scores came from Nick’s passes to Johnny Powers and Davis Mikell. In all Nick went 14-for-21, finishing with 219 yards passing, in addition to pounding out quite a few yards on the ground. Powers caught five passes totaling 129 yards. Nick Ferrentino, back from a three game absence, rushed for 123 yards on 24 carries. Tucker Kohlasch nailed two out of three extra point attempts, missing one on a bad snap.

Ryan Fleming, Nick and Fournier led the ‘Hawks in tackles with help from Matt Bauer, John Keen, Quinn Kropf and Rex McCoy.

Congratulations to the five CVU seniors named to the North team for the Vermont North-South Senior Bowl Football Classic – team co-captains Fleming, Kohlasch, Kropf and Nick, along with Dylan Raymond. The annual showdown between the top high school senior football players in Vermont takes place at Middlebury College on Saturday, November 19th, with kickoff at 12:30 pm.

Redhawks give Tigers a fight

By Joe Cribari

CVU’s Football Redhawks kept fans on the edge of their seats in an exciting home game against the Middlebury Union High School Tigers Saturday. The good news: CVU played well, fought hard, made plays at key moments and is bound for the post-season in its first year as a Division I team. The not-so-good news: the Redhawks came up just short, falling 27-21 in favor of the Tigers.

CVU drew first blood after an impressive 81-yard opening drive that consumed over six minutes. The offensive line dominated on that drive, giving quarterback Drew Nick time to connect with John Keen, Trevor Kennedy and three times to Ryan Beaudry. Nick kept the ball for some nice gains as well, thanks to key blocking by Brent Carreiro. Converting on third down four times, the Redhawks ultimately gave the nod to Carreiro, who punched it in from the 5-yard line.

The Redhawks defense had its say shortly thereafter. Middlebury was forced to turn over the ball as Matt Bauer and the Red D-line denied the Tigers on 4th and goal at the 5-yard line. Michael Fournier and Nick led the ‘Hawks in tackles, with a lot of help from Tucker Kohlasch, Harvey Ottinger, Carreiro, Beaudry and the rest of the defense.

CVU’s passing game was impressive. Drew Nick threw 16 for 27 for over 200 yards. Nick also scored two rushing touchdowns. Ryan Beaudry and John Keen took turns catching Nick’s passes. Beaudry was often acrobatic, fighting and pulling in tipped balls. Keen’s beautiful, thirty-six yard reception to the 1-yard line in the second quarter set up Nick’s second rushing TD. Tucker Kohlasch rounded out the Redhawks scoring, hitting three for three extra point kicks.

Middlebury’s scoring was provided by two rushing touchdowns by QB Dillion Robinson and one each by Patrick Foley and Jordan Connor. Connor also ran in for a 2-point conversion.

The Redhawks defense made a valiant stand as the Tigers attempted and failed to convert on 4th and 12 on the 23–yard line late in the 4th quarter. Middlebury’s following drive was stuffed once again, thanks in part to Bauer’s quarterback sack. Bauer also recovered a Tiger’s fumble. CVU’s defense got to Robinson three more times earlier in the game; once by Alec Distler, and twice in one drive by Michael Fournier & company.

This game ended in disappointment for the Redhawks but opportunity lies ahead. CVU travels to South Burlington next week to face the Rebels in the first round in the playoffs. This re-match of last week’s game should prove exciting. The Redhawks will be hungry and ready to take care of business. Expect a huge crowd of fans Rocking the Red on the Road. The game is Friday October 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday was Senior Day for the Redhawks – prior to the game each senior player escorted his parents onto the field to be recognized in a pre-game ceremony. There were photos and the boys presented small gifts to their parents. These seniors are commended for their leadership and contributions to the team, school and community. May they have success and good fortune for the remainder of the year and in their future endeavors.

Congratulations Seniors!

QB Nick dazzles, but Redhawks efforts fall short

By Holly Fournier

It was a battle of wills Friday night when the CVU Redhawks faced off against the South Burlington Rebels in a closely-watched Division 1 contest. The teams traded scores through four quarters of action-packed play. However, when the final horn sounded it was the Rebels on top by a touchdown – final tally, 35-42.

Redhawks fans showed up in droves to cheer on the team despite drenching rain, outnumbering the hometown crowd in an awesome display of support. Oddly, CVU cowbells were silenced by South Burlington’s staff, but that didn’t stop the impassioned crowd from being heard.

Both squads came to the match with similar stories: CVU and South Burlington shared 5-1 records, each having lost to powerhouse BFA St. Albans, and both notching wins over Burlington and Mt. Anthony. The teams also ran similar offensive strategies. Before the game Redhawks head coach Jim Provost would not offer a prediction, calling the outcome a “toss up.”

Provost was spot on as the contest came right down to the wire.

All night quarterback Drew Nick deftly ducked and dodged Rebel defenders, hitting pay dirt five times. The senior co-captain rushed 150 yards for four touchdowns and passed a total of 194 yards, finding Davis Mikell in the end zone with 6:16 remaining in the game to tie the score. Running back Brent Carreiro, filling in for a recovering Nick Ferrentino, sung the signal-caller’s praises, “Drew Nick is an animal! He really put the offense on his back and played harder than I have ever seen him play.”

Nick took full advantage of the protection provided by CVU’s imposing offensive line: Alec Distler, Michael Fournier, Timmy Halvorson, Quinn Kropf and Dylan Raymond.

Kicker Tucker Kohlasch had a perfect night, nailing all five extra point attempts.

The Redhawks, now 5-2, wrap up their regular season on Saturday, October 22 at home against the 6-1 Middlebury Tigers where they hope to improve their playoff seed. “We plan to practice hard all this week and really stick it to Middlebury, “ said Carreiro. It’s also Senior Day - the CVU football community will honor its 12th grade players before the game. Kick-off time is 1:00 pm.