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The kickoff return came on the game’s first play. Rocky Hill -- likely to its regret -- won the toss and decided to defer until the second half and kick to Middletown. Jashone Cunningham made the Terriers (1-3) pay for that decision by returning the kick 91 for a touchdown and with J.R. Bagley’s kick, MHS led 7-0.
In the second quarter with the game tied 7-7, Middletown’s Martavis Isaac picked off a Fritz pass at the Rocky Hill 26 and returned it to the nine. Four plays later Hampton Watson (10 carries 57 yards; five receptions for 61 yards) scored on a two-yard run and the Dragons never looked back.
"We have some talented kids, but they’re very young," said Middletown coach Eric Marszalek. "They’re just learning how to play the game. They showed flashes of what they’re going to be able to do more consistently as they get more experience. Cunningham’s return and Isaac’s interceptions are examples."
After Watson’s go-ahead touchdown, Middletown forced Rocky Hill to go three and out and proceeded to put the game away with a touchdown just before the half. The Dragons drove 53 yards in five plays for the score which came on a seven-yard run by Cunningham with 2:03 left in the half.
The big play of the drive was a 33-yard pass from Shamar Carr to Korey Speller. The ball was a jump ball, and despite being interfered with, Speller came down with the ball for the completion that set up the touchdown.
After experimenting for the preseason and through the first two games, Marszalek has settled on Carr, a sophomore, as his quarterback. Carr was 12-for-18 for 137 yards. He also ran for a 27-yard touchdown on the last play of the third quarter.
"The coaching staff has decided that Shamar gives us the best chance to be successful," said Marszalek.
And it was the offense Marszalek said, that was the key to the win.
"We were able to establish the run and off of that, we were able to pass," said Marszalek. "I was very pleased with the job the offensive line did. They did a great job protecting the quarterback and on run blocking.
"I also thought Watson was very good on both sides of the ball (he plays linebacker). Given he’s not the biggest kid on the field (5-8, 172) what he does on the field is amazing. He’s a very good football player."
Rocky Hill’s touchdown came in the first quarter. Following Cunningham’s jolt that started the game, the Terriers marched 60 yards in 11 plays with Eric Fritz hitting brother Mark from 17 yards out. But that was it for Rocky Hill’s offense as it could manage just 96 net yards the rest of the way.
"We have a talented quarterback and we have good receivers," said Coyne. "But we just have to do a better job blocking for that to work."
