Vermont stuns NH in Shrine game, 50-2

Springfield’s Ben Tubbs and Bellows Falls’ Zac Streeter contributed half of the Vermont defense’s four turnovers. With Vermont already up 7-0, Tubbs had the game’s first takeaway when he pounced on a fumble deep in NH territory. Vermont would turn it into a field goal.

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2016-08-08 / Sports Print article Print Vermont stuns NH in Shrine game, 50-2 «» View full-size Springfield’s Ben Tubbs (right) and Bellows Falls’ Zac Streeter (second from right) set up on defense during Saturday’s Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl. Each player contributed a takeaway to Vermont’s 50-2 victory over New Hampshire. — TIM TAYLOR http://www.eagletimes.com/sites/www.eagletimes.com/files/imagecache/full/VTduo.JPGhttp://www.eagletimes.com/sites/www.eagletimes.com/files/imagecache/full/Nix.JPGhttp://www.eagletimes.com/sites/www.eagletimes.com/files/imagecache/full/Belt.JPGhttp://www.eagletimes.com/sites/www.eagletimes.com/files/imagecache/full/king.jpghttp://www.eagletimes.com/sites/www.eagletimes.com/files/imagecache/full/cheer.jpg By TIM TAYLOR sports@eagletimes.com CASTLETON, Vt. — The only thing more noteworthy than Vermont’s shocking 50-2 victory over New Hampshire in the 63rd Annual Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl on Saturday evening was the reason the game was being played in the first place. The purpose of the all-star classic is to raise money for Shriners hospitals in Boston and Springfield, Mass., and Canada, and at the same time help raise awareness of their mission. For the players, all of whom are recent high school graduates, it’s an opportunity to give something of themselves other than their athletic talents. Bellows Falls’ Zac Streeter and Springfield’s Ben Tubbs never lost sight of the reason they were participating, even while celebrating their side’s lopsided win. “It means the world to me,” Streeter said. “It's just a football game and we're playing it. We get to have fun and run around, but it's really for the kids and to raise money for such a great cause. It's really an honor to be part of this game.” The same could be said for Stevens’ Collin Belt, selected a New Hampshire captain for the game, and was his team’s top fundraiser, and Newport’s Stephan Nix. “It just means a lot to me that something that I could have done by raising money could lead to a kid that's in the hospital right now, maybe he can play a football game down the road that he wouldn't be able to without Shriners hospitals,” said Belt. In fact, the message every player on the field was hoping to put across with his participation in the game was that the reason why they were playing was much more important than the final score. Of course, coming away with a victory just makes the event that much more special — and Vermont has certainly waited a long time to celebrate a win. The victory was Vermont’s first in the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl since 2000. Ironically, the head coach was the same in both games – Fair Haven’s Brian Grady. The 50 points were the most scored in a game by Vermont, breaking the previous mark set in its 47-40 win in 2000. Streeter and Tubbs also contributed half of the Vermont defense’s four turnovers. With Vermont already up 7-0, Tubbs had the game’s first takeaway when he pounced on a fumble deep in NH territory. Vermont would turn it into a field goal. Streeter would record the game’s final takeaway, picking off a pass at his own 27 to stop a New Hampshire drive early in the fourth quarter. Both players saw plenty of time on the field and were solid in the secondary. Streeter finished with five tackles and Tubbs had one. Nix had a solid day at receiver, catching five passes for 38 yards, and contributed a few tackles on special teams. Belt had three tackles, including one that forced what NH fans thought was an obvious fumble, but the referee ruled the ball carrier down. “Coach told us to let you guys know that we didn't end the streak, we started a new streak,” said Tubbs, who couldn't describe his feelings about his teammates, but was pleased to be a part of the event. “I don't know what to say. I'm kind of at a loss for words,” he said. “Honestly, it's a huge honor because coming out here with some of the best athletes in Vermont, never in a million years did I ever think I'd be here. For the coaches to pick me was the biggest honor I could ever experience.” “It means so much to everybody here,” Streeter said. “Our coach was saying all week the best thing we could do for the kids is to make this game relevant again. I think we went out there and did that. “They're an amazing group of guys. We really got to know each other all week and really bonded together as a team. We could tell we had something special just because of the chemistry we had. Everyone knew who they were playing for and everyone went out there and gave it their all, all four quarters.” “It was an honor,” said Nix. “It was a privilege, really. “Everybody here has been working hard all week and it just didn't go our way. Everybody loves to win … everybody gave it their all. If that's what happens, that's what happens.” “Getting together with guys you used to be enemies with and playing, becoming friends, becoming brother for life,” Belt said. “We all have this bond together. Nothing can ever change that. A scoreboard can't change that. “I would have loved to win, but football is done for me. I moving on to college, but I've got bigger and better things to move on to.” Vermont took control of the contest at the onset, scoring on its third play from scrimmage just 73 seconds into the game on a 37-yard Ryan Alexander (Fair Haven) pass to high school teammate Lucas Czarnecki. When the offense sputtered and had to settle for a field goal following Tubbs’ fumble recovery, it appeared New Hampshire would get back in the game. NH would block a punt midway through the first quarter, but then miss a 25-yard field goal attempt. New Hampshire couldn’t get its offense going and Alexander hit Cam Slade (Rutland) with a 7-yard TD pass with eight second s left in the period for a 16-0 lead. Alexander and Czarnecki hooked up a second time midway through the second quarter, this time from 14 yards out and the gap grew to 23-0. Alexander targeted Connor Plante (Burlington) with his next two TD strikes, passes of 10 and 8 yards. The scores, which came with 1:24 and :19 remaining in the half, gave Vermont a 36-0 cushion at intermission. A blocked punt gave Vermont the ball at the NH 11 early in the third quarter and Andy Kenosh (Rutland) found Czarnecki for his third TD reception of the day on the next play. Following a New Hamsphire three-and-out, Kenosh found high school teammate Austin O’Gorman uncovered over the middle for Vermont’s final TD. New Hampshire would avoid a shutout when Alexander was sacked in the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Vermont out-gained NH 331-163, although New Hampshire had 207 passing yards to 203 for Vermont. The game featured plenty of local flavor other than those on the field. Stevens head coach Paul Silva was a New Hampshire assistant and Belt’s mother, Jada, coached the cheer squad. Stevens cheer coach Jenn Ferland was the assistant coach. The cheerleaders included Newport’s Taryn Wentzell, and Stevens’ Danielle Lundy and Lindsy Rzeczycki. The all-star marching band had several area students involved. They included Bellows Falls' Christian Terry, Green Mountain's Isabelle Cameron, Noelle Gignoux, Rachel Guerra, Alyssa Ripley and Angelae Wunderle, and Stevens' Jacob Ford, Lexie Grenier, Sara Mullen, Adelyn Nelson, Alison Numme, Troy Putman, Tyler Sawyer and Hayley Valdivia. Even the Shrine King was a local resident — Justin Demars from Claremont. He enjoyed his role regardless of the score the game. “I like to participate, with being here and sleeping in hotels,” he said, even though he only spent one night in a hotel. Of course, one special night might create a lifetime of memories. Just ask the Vermont players.