Ellington’s Mark Hickman (left) and Stafford/Somers/East Windsor’s Jake Hinkle share a postgame moment after Ellington’s 40-7 victory. Both were teammates at Ellington last year (photo courtesy Ellington football)
Stafford/Somers/East Windsor’s Nate Lajoie greets his former Ellington teammates after a 40-7 loss Friday night. (Photo courtesy Ellington football)
STAFFORD >> Mark Hickman and Christian Rider scored a pair of touchdowns each as Ellington defeated Stafford/Somers/East Windsor 40-7 Friday night.
The game, which was a battle between former Ellington and Somers co-op teammates, saw Ellington amass 228 yards rushing and score 26 points in the second half to stay unbeaten. Hickman ran for 88 yards on 12 carries. Izaiah Castro-Rider ran 4 times for 49 yards and a touchdown for Ellington (4-0), which led 14-0 at halftime.
Nathan LaJoie connected with fellow former Knight Joe Mongillo for Stafford’s only score. Stafford’s Jake Hinkel, who is Ellington’s all time leader in sacks, had a sack for Stafford (1-2). “I’m proud of my kids,” Stafford coach Brian Mazzone said.
Kevin Barrett recorded two sacks for the Knights, who led 14-0 at halftime. Zach Luginbuhl added a 4-yard run.
Ellington 40, Stafford/Somers/East Windsor 7
Ellington 14 0 13 13 — 40
Stafford/Somers/East Windsor 0 0 7 0 — 7
First quarter
E–Mark Hickman 28 pass from Christian Rider (Jay Skorulski kick)
E–Izaiah Castro-Vega 3o run (Skorulski kick)
Third quarter
E–Zach Luginbuhl 4 run (kick failed)
E–Hickman 17 run (Skorulski kick)
S–Joe Mongilo 67 pass from Nathan LaJoie (Mike Munson kick)
Fourth quarter
E–Christian Rider 1 run (kick failed)
E–Rider 3 run (Skorulski kick)
Team records: Ellington 4-0, Stafford 1-2
Ellington scores 2 TDs in the 4th qtr, including one with under 2 minutes to go in the game… classy move from Ellington. Typical Pequot team, run the score up on the league and get embarrassed in the playoffs.
The first td was the 3rd play of the qtr from a long 3rd qtr drive. The second was the result of a fumbled PUNT at the opponent 1 yd. Line. Not exactly running the score up imho. And “TYPICAL PEQUOT”… that’s funny…last I checked, Valley was a state champ last year, no?
To me, playing your starters (on both sides of the ball) when your team is up 33-7 with 5 minutes to go is a highly questionable coaching move, especially on a wet field. Why in the world would a coach risk injury to his starters in that situation?
Because Friday night football is for varsity. If your son (or daughter) wants to play on Friday tell them to work harder. Cochran rule is a joke and it inhibits teams to properly determine how good they are or condition their players for a real 4 quarter football game.
I could care less about them running up the score. I don’t even think that’s what they were doing. That’s not my point. My point is why risk injury to starters when the game is well in hand? Do you get more State playoff points by winning by 50 than you do by winning by 30? What would the critics be saying about the coach if their starting QB got hurt with 2 minutes to play up 40 points? Seriously? IMHO, dumb move and not worth the risk.