Astros play physical, batter Memorial

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October 7, 2012

Astros play physical, batter Memorial

By Chuck Frye sports@eagletribune.com The Eagle-Tribune The Eagle Tribune Sun Oct 07, 2012, 12:08 AM EDT

DERRY — Pinkerton Academy had a decided size advantage against Manchester Memorial yesterday, but that only makes a difference if the big kids decide to play.

Without a doubt, Pinkerton’s kids did. The Astros simply put the hammer down, playing physical football at every level to pummel the Crusaders, 49-6, for their fourth straight victory.

”It’s our goal every game,” said linebacker and quad-captain Jake Bernaiche. “We go out, play our hardest and hit everyone as hard as we can.”

With five first-half tackles, one for a loss, a forced fumble and a defended pass, Bernaiche personified Pinkerton’s passion on defense. Memorial (now 1-4) ended up with only 113 yards of offense while the first-stringers were playing, and senior Brett Stuart added a 16-yard interception return for a touchdown.

“I love playing defense,” Bernaiche said. “Every time I get out there, I play like it’s my last (game). Especially (yesterday), I went out there and went crazy.”

The offense followed suit. Behind Chris St. Onge (90 yards, one touchdown), the running game was its usual bruising self with 234 yards on the ground.

Mix in timely and effective passing from quarterback Sean Conroy (5 of 8, 89 yards and 2 TDs) and add in an 89-yard Manny Latimore kickoff return to the house and you’ve got yourself a bona fide rout.

Hanson injured: Pinkerton could be missing starting left guard David Hansen for awhile as he was injured on the first drive of the day. “He has either a sprained wrist, or a potential broken wrist,” said head coach Bryan O’Reilly. “There’s no way to know until he sees the doctor on Monday.”

Putting the more in Latimore: Although his offensive numbers weren’t eye-popping (22 rushing yards, 35 receiving), Manny Latimore was a game-changer as he added a receiving TD and a rushing score to his long-distance kick return. And he could have had a 68-yard punt return touchdown in the second quarter if it wasn’t called back for a negligible holding penalty.

No sweat with the spread: The no-huddle spread offense like Memorial ran is no big deal to O’Reilly. “When it came in (a few years ago), it took some adjustment on defense. Now everybody plays it, and we can get guys on and off the field (to substitute), and we have wristbands so there’s no confusion (with plays). The effect (of the spread) is minimal at best.”

Lancer loss to Memorial to stay: Rumblings that Memorial would see its victory over Londonderry two weeks ago overturned due to use of an ineligible player were squashed by Crusader head coach Peter Colcord. “The player in question along with another starter were benched for the game, so we knew he didn’t play,” said Colcord. “We told the NHIAA and we have our complete game film that proves he didn’t play, so there should be no reason for the victory to be overturned.”

Pinkerton 49,

Manchester Memorial 6

agateText:Manchester Memorial (1-4): 0 6 0 0 — 6

Pinkerton (4-1): 14 14 21 0 — 4

First Quarter

P — Andrew Ong 10 pass from Sean Conroy (kick failed), 7:30

P — Chris St. Onge 1 run (Conroy run), 0:12

Second Quarter

MM — Bobby Cipolla 10 pass from Stephen Deane (run failed), 3:20

P — Manny Latimore 89 kickoff return (Kyle Cantalupo kick), 3:07

P — Latimore 35 pass from Conroy (Cantalupo kick), 0:23

Third Quarter

P — Latimore 2 run (Cantalupo kick), 7:25

P — Brett Stuart 16 interception return (Cantalupo kick), 6:36

P — Ryan Day 21 run (Erik Anderson kick), 0:24

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: MM (33-83) — Jared Ombati 15-56, Mohamed Elhassan 6-23; P (37-234) — Chris St. Onge 9-90, Jacob Burton 2-24, Sean Conroy 5-23, Manny Latimore 7-22, Ryan Day 1-21, Matt St. Onge 4-19, Matt Madden 2-14, James Tulley 2-11, Jason Hansen 1-6, Jake Lisauskas 1-5, David Dupont 1-4, Dan Lannan 1-3, Garrett Faino 1-(-8)

PASSING: MM (12-20-1, 97) — Stephen Deane 9-14-1, 65; JJ Lopez 3-6-0, 32; P — Conroy 5-8-0, 89

RECEIVING: MM — Bobby Cipolla 3-16, Ombati 2-16; P — Andrew Ong 2-37, Latimore 1-35, C. St. Onge 1-9, M. St. Onge 1-8