BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Register
The Horton Griffins made their high school football debut memorable.
On a beautiful, sunny day in front of a good crowd, the Griffins stunned the SAERC Saints from Port Hawkesbury 21-20 Sept. 9 in Greenwich.
Rufus Bedell ran for close to 250 yards and three touchdowns, including a 105-yard run from scrimmage in the second quarter, to lead Horton to victory in a game that probably shouldn’t have been as close as it was. Bedell also handled the kicking chores, good on three of three converts to account for all his team’s scoring.
It would be unfair to say Bedell was the only factor in the win. Mitch Long showed some poise in his first game at quarterback, and the Griffins defense, led by middle linebacker Jordan Davison, played a solid game - despite more than a few lapses due mainly to inexperience and “rookie jitters.”
SAERC opened the scoring on a run by Clyde Gale, but the Saints missed the convert. Bedell gave Horton the lead with a five-yard touchdown run and his first of three converts to make it 7-6 late in the first quarter.
The Griffins’ defense then recovered a fumble deep in their own territory. Long was sacked on first down but, on the next play, Bedell broke free and ran the length of the field for a 105-yard touchdown. His convert made it 14-6.
SAERC engineered a drive late in the first half that culminated in a short touchdown pass and two-point convert to tie the score at 14.
In the fourth quarter, Bedell scored his third touchdown on a 15-yard run, and his convert made it 21-14. SAERC responded with a touchdown, but the Saints missed the extra point.
Horton head coach Alec Hyndman was pleased with the win, though he was concerned at the number of breakdowns on defense and the offensive line.
“At this level,” he said, “you need to do a better job of protecting the outside.”
Hyndman was also concerned the Griffins “took far too many penalties,” including a holding call that negated what would have been a fourth touchdown by Bedell.
“I can’t be too mad at them, because it was their first game and they did some things very well. We’re a better team than we showed today.”
Titans lose second season opener
The result was not as satisfying for the NKEC Titans, who dropped a disappointing 26-6 decision to Cole Harbour in their season opener Sept 9 in Dartmouth.
Jeremy Beals ran for 241 yards and three touchdowns and Cole Harbour quarterback Corey Boutilier added 167 passing yards. The Cavaliers also registered six sacks on defense. Logan VanBlarcom had the only NKEC touchdown.
BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Register
The Horton Griffins made their high school football debut memorable.
On a beautiful, sunny day in front of a good crowd, the Griffins stunned the SAERC Saints from Port Hawkesbury 21-20 Sept. 9 in Greenwich.
Rufus Bedell ran for close to 250 yards and three touchdowns, including a 105-yard run from scrimmage in the second quarter, to lead Horton to victory in a game that probably shouldn’t have been as close as it was. Bedell also handled the kicking chores, good on three of three converts to account for all his team’s scoring.
It would be unfair to say Bedell was the only factor in the win. Mitch Long showed some poise in his first game at quarterback, and the Griffins defense, led by middle linebacker Jordan Davison, played a solid game - despite more than a few lapses due mainly to inexperience and “rookie jitters.”
SAERC opened the scoring on a run by Clyde Gale, but the Saints missed the convert. Bedell gave Horton the lead with a five-yard touchdown run and his first of three converts to make it 7-6 late in the first quarter.
The Griffins’ defense then recovered a fumble deep in their own territory. Long was sacked on first down but, on the next play, Bedell broke free and ran the length of the field for a 105-yard touchdown. His convert made it 14-6.
SAERC engineered a drive late in the first half that culminated in a short touchdown pass and two-point convert to tie the score at 14.
In the fourth quarter, Bedell scored his third touchdown on a 15-yard run, and his convert made it 21-14. SAERC responded with a touchdown, but the Saints missed the extra point.
Horton head coach Alec Hyndman was pleased with the win, though he was concerned at the number of breakdowns on defense and the offensive line.
“At this level,” he said, “you need to do a better job of protecting the outside.”
Hyndman was also concerned the Griffins “took far too many penalties,” including a holding call that negated what would have been a fourth touchdown by Bedell.
“I can’t be too mad at them, because it was their first game and they did some things very well. We’re a better team than we showed today.”
Titans lose second season opener
The result was not as satisfying for the NKEC Titans, who dropped a disappointing 26-6 decision to Cole Harbour in their season opener Sept 9 in Dartmouth.
Jeremy Beals ran for 241 yards and three touchdowns and Cole Harbour quarterback Corey Boutilier added 167 passing yards. The Cavaliers also registered six sacks on defense. Logan VanBlarcom had the only NKEC touchdown.
