Redcoats Hold Off Hurricanes, 14-7

In a game that will be remembered more for its ending than the special plays during it, the Berlin football team hung on to beat New Britain 14-7 at Veterans Memorial Stadium Wednesday night. Berlin now leads the series 2-1.

With just under two minutes left in the game and Berlin clinging to the touchdown lead and hoping to run the clock out, a skirmish broke out in the middle of the field.

Berlin made a first down on a run by Tommy Undercuffler but New Britain coaches asked for a measurement. The officials had already moved the chains so they could not measure. Then the refs did not start the clock right away, which upset the Berlin coaches because New Britain had no more timeouts and the Redcoats wanted the clock to run. While the referees were trying to get things under control players began to push each other, drawing coaches from both sides to pull their players away from each other.

At that point, with 1:46 showing on the clock, the head official called the game and walked off the field. As he walked by the chain crew he said the game was over because of "unsportsmanlike behavior."

The teams did not shake hands as Berlin went straight to their busses.

“I was disappointed by the way the officials handled it,” Berlin coach John Capodice said. “We converted the first down by a good margin and then they didn’t start the clock. The official on our side said the game was over because they had no timeouts left, so that was it.”

New Britain coach Tebucky Jones didn’t see things the same way.

“You’re not supposed to talk about the officials but I’m always going to speak my mind,” said Jones, whose team finished 6-4 after going 1-9 last year. “We scored a touchdown on the goal line and they said we didn’t score. It was clear as day. At the end, there was some pushing and shoving so we were trying to get them back when their coach started yelling at me. I think he wanted to fight. Their coaches ran their mouths

“Listen they are a good football team, 8, no 9-1 now. They have some big kids and some good players and they did a good job and won the game. But everyone saw the officials were bad tonight.”

Berlin improved to 9-1 and will have a home game in the CIAC playoffs while New Britain ends the season 6-4.

The Redcoats got on the board first on a two-yard touchdown run by Undercuffler and a Devin Silverman extra point with 7:42 left in the first quarter.

Berlin came back and scored on a Mitch Williams to Justin Gombotz two-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the second quarter for a 14-0 lead.

New Britain got on the board when Jones’ son Malique threw a nice ball to Larry Garcia in the corner for a touchdown to close the gap to 14-7 with 7:48 left in the half.

Berlin looked like it was driving for another score before halftime but a long screen pass play was called back due to a holding penalty.

As the game played out, it appeared one of the teams would need a big play or a mistake by their opponent because the defenses stiffened.

Berlin made a mistake when punter Tyler Bouchard kicked the ball off the backside of personal protector Undercuffler and it was recovered at the Berlin 28-yard line. On the next play Devante Gardner rambled down to the five-yard line.  A personal foul penalty gave New Britain first and goal at the 3-yard line. Jones ran it very close to the goal line but the official marked him down about a foot outside the end zone. The next play, New Britain was called for a false start. Berlin then held on the next three plays for a tremendous goal line stand.

“To be up 14-7 and keep them out of the end zone was terrific,” Capodice said. “To go up and play a team two classes bigger than us on their home field was great. The best part about it is we guaranteed ourselves a home playoff game. Hopefully we can use this performance to give us a boost next Tuesday.”

Berlin got a solid effort from Undercuffler with four catches for 97 yards and sophomore quarterback Mitch Williams who was 9-for-17. Up front Chris Meucci and Mitch Blanchette were sturdy on both sides of the ball. Kevin Main proved a nice change-up in the backfield and ran hard.

The CIAC pairings will be officially announced Friday at noon.