Schools

Berlin Uses Ground and Air To Crush Tolland

Redcoats force opponent to pick their poison.

The Berlin football team got contributions from the running game, the passing game and the defense to crush visiting Tolland Friday night before a small crowd on Berlin Fair weekend at Scalise Field.

Justin Gombotz ran in a four-yard touchdown and Mitchell Williams hit Tyler Bouchard for a 16-yard touchdown pass as the Redcoats jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead.

Gombotz, a junior, scored again to push the lead to 21-0 but Tolland scored on a quarterback keeper and then added the conversion run to close to within 21-8 with 8:30 left in the first half.

Find out what's happening in Berlinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Berlin came back and scored two more touchdowns, both on Williams passes to Tommy Undercuffler, one good for 34 yards and the other 20 yards. Those two touchdowns made it 35-8 at halftime. 

"The kids are starting to comprehend the scheme on offense and they're starting to figure out what varsity football on Friday night is like as opposed to J.V.," Berlin coach John Capodice said. "We want to come out and be balanced and take what the opponent gives us. Tonight we were able to throw it and run it so it was good to see. We had that one breakdown on defense when they scored but other than that we did a nice job containing their option."

Find out what's happening in Berlinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Gombotz scored his third touchdown on a 13-yard run. On Tolland's next possession, the Berlin defense flexed its muscles. Two straight tackles for loss put Tolland in a tough spot. Two players stripped the ball from the Tolland quarterback at the 25 yard line. It was scooped up by junior two-way lineman Chris Meucci who rambled for a touchdown. 

Ahead 49-14, Berlin took the ball to start the fourth quarter and ran Gombotz 13 straight times. They wanted to kill the clock and make sure they didn't go over the 50-point rule. On Gombotz' 13th run in a row, he scored from two yards out for the final margin, 56-14. The offensive line dominated on the drive.

"The line is still a work in progress," Capodice said. "Mitch Blanchette is the only one who has played before this year and we've had some injuries so we haven't had the same five guys in there in any of the games. We're only going to go as far as the offensive line takes us."

Capodice said Meucci might get a little pick-me-up after scoring the touchdown.

"He's been terrific on both sides of the ball," Capodice said. "Maybe this could be a little boost to his confidence but he has been really good in our first three games."

Capodice said it is also nice to have a player like Undercuffler out on the field.

"He's a two-way player and he's been out there since he was in ninth grade," Capodice said. "We go back and watch tape and see him as a freshman and there is number 11 out there playing. We rely on him a lot. He's a hard worker and an outstanding leader." 

Berlin is now 3-0 and plays host to winless Weaver next Friday night.

A huge game against a very good Northwest Catholic game is looming on Oct. 14 at Scalise Field. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here