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"They were a good football team," Farmington coach Jeff Bemis said. "Last year’s (Farmington) team would’ve had trouble with them."
But it wasn’t the Falcons’ speed or offensive prowess that troubled the sixth-year mentor. It was desire of his players.
"They were much more intense," Bemis said. "They were more willing to hit, hit and hit. Size-wise, we’re about the same. But it was the intensity and the fire they had in their eyes. You could see it on every single play. They came and came and came and never let up."
It was the worst opening-day loss for Farmington in the last 75 years and its first opening day shutout in 12 years since being blanked by Berlin in 1993. Only four other teams since 1930 have beaten Farmington by bigger scores.
"We have good size and speed, more so than we’ve had in the past," said Fitch coach Jim Buonocore. "We played them as freshmen and sophomores and took our lumps. But now we’re starting to see things come to fruition. We’re able to do so many more things offensively."
In 2003, the Falcons were 5-5 before rebounding to go 7-3. "It’s been a long road for us," Buonocore said. "We’ve worked hard in the weight room."
Fitch dominated from the start. The only play that Farmington gained yards in its first possession was a 29-yard completion from QB Steve Harrington to Domingo Astiasaran.
But when the Indians punted, Fitch’s Bryon McClellan evaded two tacklers and streaked down the right sideline with a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
On Farmington’s next possession, Fitch’s Tony Patterson intercepted Harrington (6-15-2, 46). OnFitch’s next play, QB JustinWalz broke through with a 42-yard TD run. Two plays later, Patterson intercepted Harrington again with a 31-yard return to the Indian six-yard line. McClellan’s 4-yard run made it 20-0.
On Farmington’s next possession, Harrington made a pitch in traffic to teammate Orlando Ortiz who got a hand on the ball but fumbled it and Fitch recovered. On the next play, Walz completed a 30-yard TD pass to Rob Chiaccio. A two-point conversion made it 28-0.
Fitch’s Bobby Shepard made a 37-yard extra point in the third quarter after one of his teammates was penalized 15 yards for spiking the ball in the face of a Farmington defender after catching a touchdown pass.
Peter Berlandy had an nice diving interception for the Indians while Craig Suhre recovered a Fitch fumble.
Matt Robinson had a 34-yard kickoff return. In the Nutmeg League, Farmington probably won’t see an opponent as quick or skilled as Fitch. But the Indians will still have to execute.
"We’re taking this loss and using it a lesson," Bemis said. "We’re going to try and learn from it."
NOTES: It was only the second time in team history that Farmington met Fitch. The two teams last met in the 1999 Class L championship game with the Falcons prevailing, 50-7 ... Buonocore was happy to pick up a game with Farmington. He is confident that the Indians will win some games this year and Fitch will benefit in the CIAC playoff points race. "They have some good young players," he said. "They’ll win some games."
... This was the first in a two-year series.Farmington is scheduled to travel to Groton next year. ..It was Farmington’s biggest loss since losing toBerlin, 54-0 in 1991. ... Farmington’s previous biggest loss on opening day was a 49-6 loss toNewington in 1974.
