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Pinkerton Astros Football '08

Sat, Nov 15, 2008 01:00 PM @ Pinkerton
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Playoff Game
Londonderry 3 6 0 6 15
Pinkerton 0 0 6 13 19
Londonderry's Joey McLaughlin, far left, leaves the others behind during the playoff game against the Astros at Pinkerton Academy on Saturday afternoon. Pinkerton won the game 19-15. » Allegra Boverman, Staff PhotographerMore photos

On the Verge: Halfback Verge's career day leads Pinkerton

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Saturday, November, 15 By David Willis
Staff writer

DERRY, N.H. —  Pinkerton’s Colby Verge needed only two carries — two carries — to change the fate of two teams’ seasons.

The senior halfback rushed the ball only twice, for touchdowns of 43 and 40 yards. The second, with 44 seconds left in the game, gave the Astros a 19-15 victory over Londonderry and their fifth straight trip to the Division 1 state championship.

“I didn’t think he was going for a touchdown on that last play,” said O’Reilly. “Absolutely not. We were trying to work our way down field for a first down and a field goal. But I did expect the counter play to be open.”

The play was open, and the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder made a cut on the mucky surface and scampered past the Lancers defense for the final score.

“I was blocking on the right side,” said offensive lineman Ryan Raymond. “I looked up and saw him running down the sidelines and it was just pure happiness.”

Also a member of the basketball team (9.2 points a game last season), Verge was smiling from ear-to-ear on his mud-covered face after the victory.

“I saw an open hole and just looked at the end zone and hoped to get there,” he said. “You take so much pride from a  victory. I have three state championships so far, and hopefully I’ll have a fourth.”

Verge’s first TD was just as important. The Lancers had held Pinkerton to just 26 yards of total offense in the first half, and just 16 on the ground. But Verge broke free on the 43-yard score that finally put the Astros on the scoreboard.

The senior, who had rushed for just one touchdown in his career going into the game, provided explosiveness the Astros desperately needed. Pinkerton was without dynamic junior halfback Eric Guinto, who was lost for the season with a knee injury against Manchester Central.

The 84 rushing yards was also a career-high. His next best game was 63 yards on 13 carries in the Astros’ loss to Brockton, and had had just 174 ground yards for the season.

“It was the perfect opportunity for Colby,” said captain Chris George. “He deserves it. He is quicker than most people his size and is a great runner. I couldn’t have been happier.”

Verge also helped set up his last score with two catches for 28 yards on the game-winning drive, and provided support as a defensive back.

“The guy is amazing,” said Raymond, with his left hand wrapped to cover his cast. “He’s a good runner, a great player and a leader for this team. I was just trying to block for him.”

Game Statistics:

First Quarter

L — Matt Charest 29 field goal, 1:27

Second Quarter

L —Adam Bardwell 5 run (kick failed), 2:34

Third Quarter

P — Colby Verge 43 run (kick failed), 8:57

Fourth Quarter

L — Joey McLaughlin 56 run (kick failed), 7:19

P — Matt Mangano 84 pass from Ryan Simpson (Shawn Clukey kick), 6:47

P — Verge 40 run (rush failed), 0:44

 

 


INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: P (23-148) — Colby Verge 2-83, Chris George 10-44, Matt Mangano 5-24, Mark Maguire 1-1, Christian Diaz 2-(-1), Ryan Simpson 3-(-3); L (59-266) — Joey McLaughlin 17-93, Adam Bardwell 22-92, Anthony Terenzi 12-39, Alex Lambert 6-33, Conor McKinney 1-8, Gary Glines 1-1

PASSING: P — Simpson 7-19-2, 178; L — McKinney 5-12-1, 48

RECEIVING: P — Mangano 3-122, Verge 2-28, Sean Allen 1-20, Colton Desmarais 1-8; L — Kevin Hale 3-29, Jake Finnegan 1-22, Bardwell 1-(-3)

Additional stories:

1 Story Comments

0         AhugePinkertonfan

To know Colby is to love Colby. For all you and your family had to endure with your injury; this is truly a remarkable day. Thank you for never giving up on or off the field. All the way! Go Astros!!

Report! #1 11/16/2008 03:13 PM