Wasps rally from 12-0 deficit for big win

Woodstock started the football season with three straight losses (two in Division III) and quickly fell behind Springfield 12-0 before getting its season back on track with a huge comeback in a 35-18 win Friday night at Brown Field.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100925/SPORTS/709259894                    Wasps rally from 12-0 deficit for 35-18 win.  •  By POODY WALSH  •  Rutland Herald Correspondent - Published: September 25, 2010  •  SPRINGFIELD — Woodstock started the season with three straight losses (two in Division III) and quickly fell behind Springfield 12-0 before getting its season back on track with a huge comeback in a 35-18 win Friday night at Brown Field.  • “Not only did we fall behind 12-0, but we looked bad in doing it,” said Jim McLaughlin, a very much-relieved Woodstock coach.  •  McLaughlin attributed the comeback to finally getting all the injured and ailing players back in their proper positions. The Wasps utilized a ground-pounding running game, along with some Springfield turnovers, to get in the win column.  •  “We’re still in this thing,” McLaughlin said about his team’s chances to get in the playoff race. “The kids really needed this. They’ve been through some tough times.”  •  Now it’s Springfield going through some rough times as the Cosmos have dropped three straight after an opening season win over Poultney.  •  “(Woodstock) made some key stops and we turned the ball over too often,” Springfield coach Jack Cohun said.  •  Springfield led at the half in each of the last two weeks, but in the second half of both games gave up a combined total of 60 points.  •  “I think some of out young kids got tired,” Cohun said. “We also had to play without our middle linebacker, Max Blake (wrist), and he’s the heart and soul of our defense.”  •  One of the key plays of the game may have been a Woodstock punt from the Springfield 39 in the third quarter. The Wasps were going to kick from the Springfield 34, but got penalized back to the 39. From there Hunter Schmell dropped the ball inside the 5 and forced Springfield to take over on its 2. Two plays later, Greg Selbo picked off a Kirk Perham pass on the Springfield 34.  •  It looked like the Woodstock drive would stall when, on a fourth-and-1 from the 15, Selbo fumbled as he hit the line of scrimmage, but the ball squirted forward and teammate Josh Perkins covered the ball on the Springfield 11 for a first down.  •  Three plays later, which was the start of the fourth quarter, Edward Doton took it in on a sweep. When Schmell, who would convert all five touchdowns, booted the point after, the Wasps were up 21-18.  •  Woodstock quickly made it 28-18 with a score sparked by a J. T. Tolar interception on the Springfield 30. Woodstock then took its time and eventually put the ball in when Doton carried it over through a large off-tackle hole.  •  The final nail came as after Springfield went four-and-out, Woodstock moved 45 yards in seven plays, Cameron Stiles going the final 11.  •  Springfield took a quick lead, scoring on its first possession as Jake Patoine culminated a 64-yard, seven -play drive with a cutback run from the 14.  •  Springfield got the lead to 12-0 after a drive stalled on the Woodstock 1-foot line. On Woodstock’s first play from scrimmage, Selbo was hit behind the line of scrimmage and, as he tried to stretch the ball over the goalline to avoid the safety, fumbled and Alec Benoit recovered for Springfield. Kirk Perham then took it over.  •  Woodstock came back with two scores, one on a 55-yard off-tackle run by Selbo and then on a Cameron Stile rush from the 3.  •  Springfield scored just before the half on a James Rabeiro rush from the 3 to put the Cosmos in front 18-14 at the break.  •  The rest of the night belonged to the Wasps.  •