BROOKLINE – The intriguing aspect of this year’s revamped NEPSAC alignment? Sometimes there are games that deliver, and then some.
In an instant classic, Avon Old Farms found out just why Saturday evening. Junior quarterback Matthew Baer (158 yards passing, 79 yards rushing, three touchdowns) scampered for the game-winning 33-yard score with 1:03 left in regulation, as the Winged Beavers (7-0) remained perfect with an unforgettable 29-28 road win over Dexter Southfield.
“It was a massive game for sure,” Baer said. “This game had our whole entire season on the line, so we knew we had to drive up two and a half hours to make it happen. We executed. We fell short on some plays, but we made sure we kept grinding it out to win this game. It was massive.”
For the majority of the first half, it appeared Avon Old Farms might coast, as the Winged Beavers methodically worked up the field, milking clock as they continued to capitalize on big plays. Baer rushed for a pair of touchdowns during the first two quarters of play, including a three-yard score that gave his team a 14-0 edge with 2:47 to play before intermission.
However, whenever Dexter Southfield (6-1) took the field, rising quarterback Rory Funke was able to make big plays. The sophomore sprinted into the end zone with a three-yard touchdown rush as the second quarter expired, as Dexter Southfield cut its deficit to 14-6 at the break.
Dexter Southfield received the ball to open the second half, and Funke found a groove. The sophomore broke off a 15-yard touchdown run with 7:28 left in the third, then punched in a two-point rush, rallying his team back to tie things at 14-all.
Once the final frame got underway, chaos ensued as the undefeated NEPSAC programs traded blows. After Funke guided Dexter Southfield into the red zone, senior running back Lamarri Sanchez-Colemnan bowled his way to paydirt with a one-yard touchdown rush, as Dexter Southfield pulled ahead for the first time all night with a 22-14 lead.
Just 39 seconds later, Avon Old Farms responded. Off an end-around, Mason Patras finished off a quick drive with an 11-yard touchdown scamper. Then Baer connected with wideout Johnny Gingeruha for a two-point pass, knotting things up at 22-all with 7:17 remaining.
Dexter Southfield proceeded to march into enemy territory on the ensuing possession, and Funke pulled off another miraculous play. This time, the sophomore broke free off a quarterback keeper, then darted up the sideline for a 39-yard touchdown rush to put his team back in the lead. However, a two-point attempt came up short, and Dexter Southfield clinged to a 28-22 advantage with 2:38 left.
Baer and his teammates took the field, looking to pull off a game-tying or winning drive. Facing fourth down with the game on the line at the Dexter Southfield 33, Baer scrambled to his left. Then the quarterback saw a lane.
“I saw a gap open up,” Baer said. “And I just ran.”
The junior made his moment count, taking the carry all the way home before sliding in the end zone. Gianluca Consentino drilled the go-ahead extra point try, and Avon Old Farms had seized a 29-28 lead with 63 ticks left. The Winged Beavers’ defense came up big with an interception on Dexter Southfield’s next drive, icing the incredible win.
The victory essentially put Avon Old Farms in line to play in this year’s New England championship. Winged Beavers coach Jon Wholley was ecstatic.
“When the going gets tough, the tough gotta get going,” laughed Wholley. “At the end of the day, our theme of the week was that we couldn’t feel pressure; we have to apply it. We did everything that we could to apply it. They were fighting with a blowtorch, too. They did a great job. I can’t be more proud of our offense. Matt and the offense, the grit and toughness they showed, and just the composure. These guys have done everything right on and off the field. I couldn’t ask for a better team. It’s not surprising that when things got the toughest, they got their best.”
Gingeruha added nine receptions for 105 yards receiving for Avon Old Farms.
Funke was the catalyst for Dexter Southfield all night, finishing with 163 yards passing to go with 153 yards rushing and three touchdowns himself.
“We said in our postgame huddle that we are going to find out what kind of football team we really are,” said Dexter Southfield coach Casey Day. “After facing adversity really for the first time (all season), coming off a loss. Losing by one to a football team like that? That game could have gone either way. Losing to a great football team by a point, there’s no shame in that. All of our goals are still in place, and hopefully, this loss comes back, and is something that we can build on in the future.”
