Time after time, they completed their mission, and them some. Not only did they keep Middletown from scoring, they kept the Dragons from holding onto the ball.

Plainville forced seven second half turnovers and eight in the game as it fought its way back from a ten-point halftime defecit to earn a 16-10 victory over Middletown on Saturday night at Plainville High School.

"We just played with so much heart tonight," Plainville coach Mack Scott said. "We just kept at it and worked hard and never gave up. That’s why I love coaching this team so much. This is what Plainville is supposed to be."

Plainville (1-1) struggled offensively all night long, but its defense refused to let Middletown (0-1-1) pull away.

Trailing 10-0 with 6:30 left in the game, Ryan McNeill and Shawn Thibeault combined to block a Middletown punt, and Plainville took over on the Dragons’ four.

Three plays later, Chris Boland caught a touchdown pass from Rob Lessard, and Plainville was within a field goal, 10-7.

On Middletown’s first play on the ensuing drive, Jashone Cunningham fumbled, and Plainville took over on Middletown’s nine-yard line. Steven Ellis capped Plainville’s scoring drive with a four-yard run up the middle, and Plainville finally took the lead, 14-10.

Middletown tried once more to drive down the field, but quarterback Jaron Murphy was sacked in his own endzone by a swarm of Blue Devils for a safety with 2:47 left, giving Plainville its final margin.