GameTime CT

Connecticut's premier high school sports website

  • GIRLS SPORTS
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Field Hockey
    • Golf
    • Gymnastics
    • Hockey
    • Indoor Track
    • Lacrosse
    • Soccer
    • Softball
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Volleyball
    • Track & Field
  • BOYS SPORTS
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Cross Country
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Indoor Track
    • Lacrosse
    • Soccer
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Track & Field
    • Volleyball
    • Wrestling
  • Schools
  • Newspapers
    • CT Post
    • The Danbury News-Times
    • Greenwich Time
    • The Middletown Press
    • New Haven Register
    • The Norwalk Hour
    • The Register Citizen
    • The Stamford Advocate
  • Polls
    • Baseball Top 10
    • Boys Basketball Top 10
    • Girls Basketball Top 10
    • Football Top 10
    • Hockey Top 10
    • Boys Lacrosse Top 10
    • Softball Top 10
    • Other Polls
  • Scores & Stats
Football

Liberda interception, run seal Berlin win over Tolland

Michael Fornabaio | September 12, 2019

  • Berlin’s Zach Hrubeic dives over a pile vs. Tolland on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 at Berlin high school. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Daniel Lynch forces a fumble vs. Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland’s Ryan Carlson rushes the ball against Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland’s Nico Carneiro celebrates after the defense held Berlin on 4th down at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Zach Hrubeic runs the ball vs. Tolland on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 at Berlin high school. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland’s Ryan Carlson rushes the ball against Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Justin Skates throws a pass at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Nicholas Jutras lines up to block at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland’s Aidan Clark throws a pass at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Jonathan D’Amore makes a tackle at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Zach Hrubiec points after the defense holds on 4th down at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Jamie Palmese runs the ball vs. Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland’s Brady Gordon celebrates after making a tackle vs. Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland coach Scott Cady at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland coach Scott Cady at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin played against Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Zach Hrubeic dives over a pile vs. Tolland on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 at Berlin high school. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Daniel Lynch forces a fumble vs. Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland’s Ryan Carlson rushes the ball against Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland’s Nico Carneiro celebrates after the defense held Berlin on 4th down at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Zach Hrubeic runs the ball vs. Tolland on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 at Berlin high school. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland’s Ryan Carlson rushes the ball against Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Justin Skates throws a pass at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Nicholas Jutras lines up to block at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland’s Aidan Clark throws a pass at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Jonathan D’Amore makes a tackle at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Zach Hrubiec points after the defense holds on 4th down at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin’s Jamie Palmese runs the ball vs. Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland’s Brady Gordon celebrates after making a tackle vs. Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland coach Scott Cady at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Tolland coach Scott Cady at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
  • Berlin played against Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 1of/16

                                  Caption

                                  Close

                                  Image 1 of 16
                                  Berlin’s Zach Hrubeic dives over a pile vs. Tolland on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 at Berlin high school. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Berlin’s Zach Hrubeic dives over a pile vs. Tolland on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 at Berlin high school. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 2 of 16
                                  Berlin’s Daniel Lynch forces a fumble vs. Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Berlin’s Daniel Lynch forces a fumble vs. Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 3 of 16
                                  Tolland’s Ryan Carlson rushes the ball against Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Tolland’s Ryan Carlson rushes the ball against Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 4 of 16
                                  Tolland’s Nico Carneiro celebrates after the defense held Berlin on 4th down at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Tolland’s Nico Carneiro celebrates after the defense held Berlin on 4th down at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 5 of 16
                                  Berlin’s Zach Hrubeic runs the ball vs. Tolland on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 at Berlin high school. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Berlin’s Zach Hrubeic runs the ball vs. Tolland on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 at Berlin high school. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 6 of 16
                                  Tolland’s Ryan Carlson rushes the ball against Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Tolland’s Ryan Carlson rushes the ball against Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 7 of 16
                                  Berlin’s Justin Skates throws a pass at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Berlin’s Justin Skates throws a pass at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 8 of 16
                                  Berlin’s Nicholas Jutras lines up to block at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Berlin’s Nicholas Jutras lines up to block at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 9 of 16
                                  Tolland’s Aidan Clark throws a pass at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Tolland’s Aidan Clark throws a pass at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 10 of 16
                                  Berlin’s Jonathan D’Amore makes a tackle at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Berlin’s Jonathan D’Amore makes a tackle at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 11 of 16
                                  Berlin’s Zach Hrubiec points after the defense holds on 4th down at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Berlin’s Zach Hrubiec points after the defense holds on 4th down at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 12 of 16
                                  Berlin’s Jamie Palmese runs the ball vs. Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Berlin’s Jamie Palmese runs the ball vs. Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 13 of 16
                                  Tolland’s Brady Gordon celebrates after making a tackle vs. Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Tolland’s Brady Gordon celebrates after making a tackle vs. Berlin at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 14 of 16
                                  Tolland coach Scott Cady at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Tolland coach Scott Cady at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 15 of 16
                                  Tolland coach Scott Cady at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Tolland coach Scott Cady at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Image 16 of 16
                                  Berlin played against Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Berlin played against Tolland at Berlin high school on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Pete Paguaga, Hearst Connecticut Media)
                                  Liberda interception, run seal Berlin win over Tolland
                                  1 / 16
                                  Back to Gallery

                                  BERLIN — Berlin played nearly three quarters Thursday night without one of its best players, nearly two quarters without another.

                                  The Redcoats gutted out a 14-8 win over Tolland at Sage Park to open the 2019 football season, getting big plays at key moments, blocking a couple of kicks and getting a game-ending sack.

                                  “Going into the game, if I said we’re going to lose Zach Hrubiec to injury (to start the second quarter), we’re going to lose our shutdown corner (Tony Undercuffler) in the third quarter, we’re going to botch a snap and get a safety, and we’re still going eke out a victory?” Berlin coach Joe Aresimowicz said.

                                  “Other than losing the guys, which everybody would be angry at me, I think everybody else would take that deal.”

                                  Adam Liberda’s interception set up his own 22-yard touchdown run with 2:31 to play to, as it turned out, seal the win.

                                  A low snap forced Berlin to take a safety on a punt attempt with 20 seconds left. Tolland got the ball at midfield after the snap, but Danny Lynch sacked Tolland quarterback Aidan Clarke to end it.

                                  “We worked hard. We lost two of our key players,” said Elijah Crowley, who had a big kick return, blocked a field goal and stepped in for Undercuffler at corner. “We had to keep our heads up and keep moving.”

                                  Aresimowicz said Undercuffler has been battling injury since last season. Hrubiec, injured on a carry on Berlin’s first play of the second quarter, had to be carried off the field by teammates.

                                  “I think Zach will be OK. We’ll evaluate in the morning. He’ll be day-to-day,” Aresimowicz said. “(Undercuffler), tough kid. We’ll see with that one. Obviously he’s got to get it looked at, and we’ll see what happens.”

                                  BERLIN SEASON PREVIEW

                                  Tolland turned the ball over three times Berlin territory, not to mention a couple of times on downs.

                                  “We kept stepping on our own feet. That was the story of the first half,” Tolland coach Scott Cady said. “It’s something we’ve battled in the past, especially here. Taht’s the kind of thing that bites you at Berlin.”

                                  After Liberda’s touchdown and Aaron Senz’s point-after kick put Berlin ahead 14-6, the Eagles’ Ryan Carlson (who forced two second-half fumbles) returned the kickoff to the Berlin 15. Two runs and a pass went nowhere, though. On fourth down, Tolland wanted a defensive holding call in the end zone. It didn’t get it.

                                  25 CIAC FOOTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH

                                  Two big plays in the first 2:11 put Berlin ahead. Crowley took the opening kickoff 69 yards to the Tolland 27.

                                  “That’s been my specialty. I just try to find an opening and get it back,” Crowley said. “Start of the game, we needed to start with something positive.”

                                  On fourth down, Justin Skates found Mark Addamo for a 22-yard touchdown pass.

                                  No one scored again for 32 minutes.

                                  “That’s a good team. They controlled the line of scrimmage,” Aresimowicz said. “Even when we had plays I thought we were good, the back side would get it, or somebody’d make a football play. I kept asking the coaches, looking on the video, ‘how’d they make that play?’ I kept getting the answer in the headset, ‘they’re getting after it.’”

                                  SIGN UP FOR THE GAMETIMECT NEWSLETTER

                                  After Carlson sacked Skates to force a fumble for the first time, Aaron Lange got Tolland on the board, capping a short drive with a 3-yard score.

                                  Berlin’s Trevor Miano got through to block the extra point and keep the Redcoats ahead. But on Berlin’s next play, Carlson forced another fumble.

                                  Clark lined up for a 42-yard go-ahead field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter; he’d had the leg for it in warmups. But this time Crowley got through to block the kick.

                                  Cady said Tolland knew its defense was good, wanted this game badly and was disappointed. The Eagles, he said, came in with what he called a “three-season” approach.

                                  “Berlin is such a huge game on our schedule. We had nine months to prepare. I said, go for it guys,” Cady said. “We’ll put all our eggs in one basket, go for it. At the end of the game we’ll sweep it up, win or lose, and move on to the next season, which is I believe Avon next Saturday at 10:30.

                                  “That’s a long time to prepare for one team, but that’s a team I want to prepare for for a long time.”

                                  The game was played on Thursday because of the Berlin Fair, which runs Friday-Sunday.

                                  Berlin honored Nick Zuk, a player who died of cancer in 2016, and fans’ donations supported the Nick Zuk Memorial Foundation. Berlin also recognized Cady, who is battling cancer himself, and held a moment of silence in honor of Tolland track and field coach Corey Pusey, who died earlier this week.

                                  mfornabaio@ctpost.com; @fornabaioctp

                                  BERLIN 14, TOLLAND 8

                                  TOLLAND 0 0 6 2—  8
                                  BERLIN     7 0 0 7—14
                                  B—Mark Addamo 22 pass Justin Skates (Aaron Senz kick)
                                  T—Aaron Lange 3 run (kick blocked)
                                  B—Adam Liberda 22 run (Senz kick)
                                  T—Safety
                                  Records: Tolland 0-1; Berlin 1-0.

                                  About Michael Fornabaio

                                  Newsletter Signup

                                  Don't strike out on CT high school sports news. Sign up for The Whistle newsletter from GametimeCT

                                  You agree to our Terms of Use. Your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.

                                  Spring Sports Quick Links

                                  Spring Sports Quick Links

                                  BASEBALL 2021: PRESEASON TOP 10 | PLAYERS TO WATCH | GAMES TO SEE
                                  SOFTBALL 2021: PRESEASON TOP 10 | PLAYERS TO WATCH | GAMES TO SEE
                                  BOYS LACROSSE 2021: PRESEASON TOP 10 | PLAYERS TO WATCH | GAMES TO WATCH
                                  Spring Sports Schedules

                                  Winter 2021 Preview Links

                                  Winter Sports 2021 Links

                                  2021 ALL-STATE TEAMS

                                  CHSCA: GIRLS BASKETBALL | GYMNASTICS | BOYS HOCKEY | CHSGHA: GIRLS HOCKEY

                                  ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS

                                  BERKSHIRE | CCC | CRAL | CTC | ECC | FCIAC | NCCC | NVL | SCC | SHORELINE | SWC

                                  TeamPlayer Scores and Stats search

                                  Scores and Stats

                                  Video

                                  Podcasts

                                  Fall Sports Quick Links

                                  Fall Sports Quick Links

                                  2021 FOOTBALL COLLEGE RECRUITING LIST
                                  2020 GAMETIMECT ALL-STATE TEAMS
                                  BOYS SOCCER
                                  GIRLS SOCCER
                                  FIELD HOCKEY
                                  GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
                                  BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
                                  GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
                                  2020 LEAGUE PLAYOFFS:
                                  Central Connecticut
                                  Fairfield County
                                  Shoreline Conference
                                  Southern Connecticut
                                  South-West Conference

                                  Twitter

                                  Tweets

                                  Polls

                                  Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
                                  Follow Us
                                  © Copyright 2017 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC