Indeed, the boys in the trenches effectively paved Bliss’ way. But both the Middle-town front seven whom he carried for first downs and the defensive backs who chased after him knew they had witnessed a special performance.

Bliss scored five touchdowns and piled up 316 yards Saturday night to lead the Indians to a 41-34 victory over Middletown in their Nutmeg League opener.

Bliss pounded away at the center of the Blue Dragons line 32 times, often carrying multiple tacklers with him as he drove toward the goal. Aside from his TD runs, he converted first downs on four third-down plays and twice on fourth down. Middletown knew what was coming but could do nothing about it.

"We felt we had a size advantage, not only with who we had at certain points but with the extra guys we had to fill in," Farmington coach Jeff Bemis said. "They only played 16 or 17 guys. I figured we could wear them down. I’ve got seven guys that I feel confident rotating in and out and they can play different positions."

Bliss was quick to pay homage to the men up front.

"I don’t get any credit," he said. "It’s not me. It’s the guys in the trenches who get it done. It’s the blocking backs and the blocking receivers. If it wasn’t for them, I don’t get anywhere."

Mitch Alves, Mike Russo, Mike Bartles, Adam Bonati, Brandon Postl, Ryan Martin and Gavin Frechette were the horses who carried the day. Fullback Carl Morrissey and receiver Sean Gerhart poured through the hole behind them to provide Bliss with proper escort.

Middletown coach Eric Marszalek had equal praise for the elements of a Farmington ground game that totaled over 400 yards.

"(Bliss) was awesome and he’s got a great offensive line," Marszalek said. "They were able to use the fullback and (quarterback Steve) Harrington is still enough of a threat to get outside that our defensive ends couldn’t be fully committed to the inside run game."

The riveting contest between two of the league’s best teams came down to Farmington’s power game against the speed and athleticism of Middletown’s elite core.

Middletown quarterback Shamar Carr threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more. He completed 14 of 25 passes for 285 yards, five to shifty Jashone Cunningham.

For every punch Farmington threw, the Blue Dragons countered. Midway through the second quarter, the game was tied at 14.

After a defensive stand that featured brilliant work by defensive end Alves and linebacker Adam Golab, Farmington took the lead for good with 4:56 to go before halftime. Bliss raced 59 yards to pay dirt after Gerhart escaped the shadow of his goal posts with a 30-yard punt return.

A tackle behind the line by cornerback Brandon Parenteau and a bad snap destroyed Middletown’s next possession. Gerhart made another long punt return to give Farmington a first down in the red zone with under a minute to go in the second quarter.

When the drive stalled, Bemis ordered a field goal, or so Middletown thought. Harrington picked up the snap and hit Gerhart for a 7-yard TD with 19 seconds left. Farmington held a 28-14 halftime lead.

Farmington maintained the two-touchdown lead until late in the fourth quarter when the Blue Dragons (1-1) shifted into desperation mode. Carr connected with Michael Bradley for 42 yards, then Cunningham for 16.

A 6-yard strike to Korey Speller put Middletown inside the 10 with a third-and-4. Carr carried for a 9-yard TD and Todd Hettrich added the extra point to make it a one-possession game.

An onside kick squirted through to the 30 where Farmington secured it with 2:41 left. Bliss exploded for a 57-yard run on the next play and the Indians (1-0) ran out the clock.

Ken Lipshez can be reached at klipshez@newbritainherald.com