Warriors Rally From 17 Down, Beat Cougars In Principals’ Cup Game

Submitted by Barth Keck:

James Marsden scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter to complete Valley Regional/Old Lyme’s 22-17 comeback victory against Haddam-Killingworth in the annual Principals’ Cup game on Tuesday night.

Earlier in the fourth quarter at Blythe Field in Deep River, junior Di’Angelo Jean-Pierre’s 45-yard touchdown reception from James Marsden, and Marsden’s 2-point conversion run, pulled the Warriors within one (17-16) before their winning drive.

Sam Mullaney also scored for the Warriors (4-6), who are 9-2 versus the Cougars in the series since 2010.

Ryan Duncanson and Nick Glynn scored touchdowns for the Cougars (2-8) in the first quarter. Kevin Cavrell also kicked a 23-yard field goal as H-K took a 17-0 lead into halftime.

“The kids did a great job executing the game plan in the first half, but we couldn’t extend it into the second half,” said H-K coach Tyler Wilcox. “It was frustrating, but they played hard all year. And I’m going to miss the seniors — they’ve made the most of their last chance to play high school football after missing last year’s season (due to COVID). They’re just a great group of young men.”

Cavrell, Duncanson, Corey Phipps, Matt Minasian, Matteo Piacenti, Gabe Barile, Jared Frith, Nick Glynn and Tobias Ketchedjian played their final game for H-K.

Suiting up for Valley/Old Lyme for the final time were Marsden, Mullaney, James Beckman, Michael Marino, Tommy Rapp, Connor Lunz, Sean Cordock, Joseph Kuhn, John Baczewski, Daniel Stack, Race Greenawalt, Ian Mackenzie and Sam Ibbitson.

Scoring

H-K………14 3 0 0–17
V/OL……..0  0 8 14-22

H-K: Ryan Duncanson 25 pass from Alex Phipps (Kevin Cavrell kick)
H-K: Nick Glynn 1 run (Cavrell kick)
H-K: Cavrell 23-yard field goal
V/LOL: Sam Mullaney 14 pass from James Marsden (Marsden run)
V/LOL: Di’Angelo Jean-Pierre 45 pass from Marsden (Marsden run)
V/LOL: Marsden 1 run (run failed)

Principals’ Cup (since 2010)

2021: Valley, 22-17
2019: Valley, 20-2
2018: H-K, 27-21
2017: Valley, 22-7
2016: Valley, 31-0
2015: Valley, 27-13
2014: Valley, 49-7
2013: Valley, 48-0
2012: Valley, 42-12
2011: H-K, 6-0
2010: Valley, 33-7