Otter defense sets the tone

Otter Valley’s defense was rock solid when its back was to the goal line and that turned Saturday’s season opener the Otters’ way for good in a 36-16 victory over Springfield.     23 photos slideshow of the game

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110904/SPORTS/709049897

Published September 4, 2011 in the Rutland Herald

Otter defense sets the tone

By Tom Haley

BRANDON — Otter Valley’s defense was rock solid when its back was to the goal line and that turned Saturday’s season opener the Otters’ way for good in a 36-16 victory over Springfield.

The Cosmos were trailing 22-8 late in the third quarter but they had a first-and-goal on the Otter 5-yard line, poised to make it a one-score game.

But four times in a row, the defense held. James Greeno put the exclamation mark on the goal-line stand by breaking through on fourth down and sacking quarterback J.T. Therrien.

Senior captain Alic Case, a force on both sides of the ball all day, said the Otters fed off one another in the huddle, whipping themselves into an emotional frenzy.

“We kept telling each other to stay together, to stay tough and that we’re a team,” Case said. “Our motto has been ‘fast, physical and sportsmanship.’

“And then James Greeno had the great play going up the middle.”

The Cosmos scored first, confusing the Otters with an unanticipated offensive package. They put together an 11-play, 67-yard scoring drive on the game’s first series. Therrien was razor sharp on the march, completing 3 of 4 passes for 55 yards. The last one was a 20-yard strike to Aaron Wallace, a perfectly thrown ball leading Wallace into the end zone.

Therrien then threw to Kirk Perham for the two points and the Cosmos were leading 8-0 with 6:24 left in the opening quarter.

“Springfield came out in a different look that we didn’t expect,” said Jim Hill, making his head coaching debut with the Otters. “Jack (Cohun) has always run that Power-I that he brought with him from Bellows Falls and that’s what we ran reps against.

“They came out with that spread double-wing stuff and we hadn’t prepared for it. I am so pleased with the way our defense adjusted.”

Still, they found themselves behind before they had their hands on the ball.

“We just kept telling each other not to hang our heads,” Case said.

Instead, they hung a score on the Cosmos on their first possession. It was set up by a 49-yard kickoff return by Brett Patterson. Seven plays later, Patterson bolted over from the 1-yard line. Nate Fitzgerald had a 23-yard reception from Owen that helped set up the score.

Quarterback Justin Owen’s pass for the two points was incomplete.

The game was tied on a safety when Therrien stepped out of the back of the end zone while throwing a pass 2:40 into the second quarter.

The Otters took the lead for good when Owen hooked up with Michael Winslow on a 36-yard scoring pass. Pike Ladago kicked the point to make it 15-8, 7:28 before halftime.

The Otters took a 22-8 lead into the locker room, largely by way of a great individual effort from Case. He sacked Therrien, forcing the Cosmos to punt out of their end zone. That gave the OV the ball on the Springfield 18 and, on the third play, Case scored from 4 yards out.

After the goal-line stand changed the momentum, Case scored on a 12-yard run and Lado kicked the point to put it out of reach at 29-8 with 5:11 left in the game.

Patterson scored on a 28-yard jaunt and Ladago kicked the point to swell the margin to 35-8 with 2:42 to play.

Brady Cook had an outstanding game on the defensive line for the Otters and his performance included a fumble recovery. The fumble was forced by Owen.

Cohun went with freshman quarterback Justin Gomez down the stretch and he had to like what he saw. Gomez completed both passes he attempted and the last one went to Kirk Perham for a 23-yard touchdown.

Wallace set up the play with a big kickoff return.

Owen completed 5 of 10 passes for 57 yards, but kept the Cosmos off balance with his scrambling and quarterback draws.

Therrien was effective through the air, going 9 of 14 for 110 yards.

“When Brett Patterson had that big kickoff return, it really ignited us. I could see right then that our kids had the momentum,” Hill said.

The Otters make the long journey to Lyndon on Saturday and the Cosmos make another trip to Rutland County for a battle with Fair Haven.