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Orlando's touchdown gives Hornets double-OT victory

Monday, October, 29 By Matt Langone
Sports editor

The Manchester Essex football team needed a win over Chelsea on Friday night to keep realistic hopes of making the postseason.

It took two overtimes, but the Hornets accomplished their goal.

Junior quarterback Pat Orlando ran in the go-ahead score from 10 yards out on fourth down in the second overtime, and then the Manchester Essex defense held Chelsea out of the end zone to earn a 34-28 victory at Gloucester's Newell Stadium.

The win improves Manchester Essex to 6-2 on the season with two conference games remaining, including a Thanksgiving Day Commonwealth Conference Small showdown with first place Georgetown (6-1).

"It was a good win against a big and physical team," said Manchester Essex head coach Mike Athanas. "We played tough when it came down to crunch time."

Orlando enjoyed another huge day passing, as he accounted for 205 yards through the air and two touchdowns to receiver Sam Cohen (three catches, 91 yards).

Sophomore Brian Ciccone supplied the other big plays for the Hornets, as he returned an interception 60 yards for a TD and added a rushing score from 1-yard out in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 28-28 and send it to overtime. Jack Bishop also contributed to the win with 102 yards rushing.

The offense was once again solid for the Hornets, but it was the defense that was the difference, as it held Chelsea scoreless for the fourth quarter and both overtimes.

"We played pretty sloppy in the first half," said Athanas. "But we made a couple of adjustments and tackled a whole lot better down the stretch."