Conard Beats Hall to Win Mayor’s Cup in 60th Annual West Hartford Contest

Conard’s first half touchdowns and Hall’s second half comeback lead to a fourth quarter thriller in West Hartford.

Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ted Newton. Photos by Ronni Newton

The 60th meeting of West Hartford’s crosstown rivals featured plenty of offense for both teams, timely inceptions by Conard and missed opportunities for Hall as Conard held on for a 24-18 win Saturday at Chalmers Field.

And as always in this friendly-yet-intense rivalry, the seniors for both teams played their hearts out while an estimated 3,500 fans watched an exciting game on a warm and sunny late fall day.

Down by 12 points with 3:56 left to go in the game, Hall stopped Conard on a critical fourth down to find itself 40 yards from the first of two touchdowns they would need to win. On the first play from scrimmage, Hall quarterback Burke Martindale hit fellow senior running back Theo Blaschinski for an 11-yard pass. After an unsuccessful pass attempt, Martindale again targeted Blaschinski – this time in the end zone – but his pass fell just short. After a run for no gain, Hall was staring at fourth down and 10 and time was ticking down.

Taking their third – and final – timeout, Hall knew the next play was critical if they were to have any chance to win the game.

Having plenty of protection from his offensive line, Martindale hit Blaschinski at the 2 yard line on a cross screen pass. On the next play, Martindale plowed over the Conard defenders for a touchdown. But Conard’s special teams came up big by blocking the extra point attempt, leaving Hall needing six points to tie the game with just over three minutes to play.

With no timeouts left, and the knowledge that Conard could simply run out most of the clock, Hall opted for an onside kick attempt. But Conard recovered it on their own 45 yard line. Hall’s defense was ready for the run, wrapping up Conard senior quarterback Declan Flaherty for a six yard loss, but the clock kept ticking.

Then Hall got the break they needed. On the next play, they stripped the ball from Flaherty and junior Josh Onyirimba recovered the fumble at the Conard 42 yard line. Another yard pass to Blaschinski, another run by Martindale, and Hall had another first down on the 31 with a minute to play.

Hall went for it all on the next play. Stepping back in the pocket, being pressured by the Conard defense, Martindale threw the ball toward the end zone. But Conard senior Kyron Bridges stepped in front of the intended receiver to grab the ball for his team’s third interception of the day and preserve Conard’s victory.

Conard junior Jack Moore, filling in for Flaherty who was injured on the ball strip, twice took a knee to run out the clock.

The game didn’t always seem like it would be this close. Conard owned the first half, playing inspired football in both quarters. After winning the coin flip (using a commemorative coin featuring former Conard coach Bob McKee and Hall coach Frank Robinson on opposite sides) officiated by Jay Kellaher, a 1968 Hall graduate refereeing his last game, Conard kicked off to Hall.

Starting with good position at its own 35-yard line, Hall failed to advance. Following a solid punt by Martindale, Conard began its first possession at its own 27.

After a couple of first downs, Flaherty got great blocking from the right side of his line and broke off a 35-yard touchdown run down the right side of the field. Conard lined up to kick the extra point, but placeholder Moore took the snap, faked a handoff to kicker Henry Fisher, and charged into the end zone for a two point conversion. Conard led 8-0 with just over eight minutes left in the first quarter.

Hall was far more productive on its second series, advancing down the field to the Conard 28. As Hall marched closer to the end zone, Martindale’s third-down pass was knocked down by a diving Conard senior Nate Garcia. Hall went for it on fourth down, and again Martindale’s pass was knocked down, this time by Conard senior Joe Morrissey. Conard took over on downs.

Yet Hall’s defense was strong, with two sacks to force Conard to punt. It was then Conard’s turn for a sack, with senior Dillon Forstberg dropping Martindale for a five-yard loss. Hall was unable to get going, and punted to Conard to end the first quarter.

Conard’s next series featured an 18-yard pass to junior Ryan Orlowski and several rushes by senior Jaeshawn Wilson. Wilson fumbled on his last rush, and the ball sat spinning on the 10-yard line for what seemed an eternity before Conard recovered. On the next play, sophomore Matt Langevin rushed the final 10 yards for Conard’s second touchdown.

Once again, Conard lined up to kick the extra point. And once again, Conard instead faked it, with Moore throwing a swing pass to Orlowski, who shook his defender and walked in for the 2-point conversion, putting Conard up 16-0 with just under 10 minutes to go in the first half.

With all the momentum swinging Conard’s way, Hall needed a boost. And they got it on the next play. As Conard’s shallow kick sailed into his arms at the 35 yard line, Onyirimba followed his blockers to sidestep the Conard defense, then turned on the jets to go straight to the end zone for a 65-yard return. But Hall’s 2-point conversion attempt failed, and the score was 16-6.

Orlowski fielded the kickoff, twisting and turning to Hall’s 43-yard line. Conard then executed a trick play, with Flaherty handing off to his running back, who ran to the right, then threw the ball back to Flaherty, who ran to his left and then threw the ball 23 yards to a wide open junior Aidan Stabnick.

Flaherty then rushed three times, the last a five-yard scamper into the end zone for Conard’s third touchdown. And for the third time, Conard faked the extra point, this time Flaherty putting the ball in Langevin’s hands in the end zone for another 2-point conversion. With 7:19 left in the half, Conard was up 24-6.

“We practiced the 2-point conversion plays all week,” said Conard coach Matt Cersosimo. “We were prepared for different looks that Hall would present, and the kids ultimately executed the plays well.”

Both teams had two more drives in the half, with both quarterbacks just missing long passes to open receivers and both punters trading higher than longer kicks that weren’t returned. Conard was content to run out the clock with its 18-point lead.

The second half belonged to Hall. “I told them at halftime, it just comes down to making plays,” said Hall coach Frank Robinson. “During the second half, we starting making those plays, and that was definitely the difference. Offensively, we just moved the ball better. We had a chance at the end. But we didn’t make the plays, and they did.”

Its defense was stiffer, limiting Conard’s offensive to just a few explosive plays. Hall put on one of its best drives of the day, starting at its own 29-yard line and marching down the field with a good mix of runs and passes, culminating in Blaschinski’s five yard touchdown run with 43 seconds left in the third quarter. The extra point kick failed, however, and Conard’s score was double Hall’s, 24-12. But the momentum now rested with Hall heading into the fourth quarter.

As the sun began to dip and shadows began to cover the field, Hall started at its 20. Following a six-yard pass to senior Mike Verrengia, Martindale and Blaschinski hooked up for the longest pass play of the day, a 53-yard trick play that found Hall with first and 10 at the 15-yard line. But after three unsuccessful plays, Martindale’s pass on fourth and 15 was tipped in the end zone and fell incomplete.

Taking over on downs, Conard ‘s offense was all about the run to work off as much clock as possible, yet Hall’s defense was inspired, forcing Conard to punt.

Blaschinksi fielded the punt, returning the ball 18 yards to Conard’s 47-yard line. But on Hall’s second play, Martindale’s long, high pass was intercepted by junior Jeff LaRosa at the 17-yard line, thwarting another opportunity for Hall to edge closer to Conard with 6:24 to play.

With the win, Conard leads the series 34-23-3. With the loss, Hall becomes ineligible for post-season play.

“There’s nothing better than sending seniors out with a win,” said Cersosimo. “This is why we work so hard. It’s is everything they think about. When they’ve been playing football their entire life, and they know they’re coming to Conard, they’re thinking about the Hall game.”

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!

Conard senior Declan Flaherty. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hall senior Mike Verrengia. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Bob McKee side of commemorative coin used in coin flip. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Frank Robinson side of commemorative coin used in coin flip. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conard Red C. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Declan Flaherty runs for Conard’s first touchdown. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Josh Onyirimba. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Stephen Bintz of Conard on Hall’s Drew Booth. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Theo Blaschinski of Hall. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Declan Flaherty sack. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Declan Flaherty hands off to Jaeshawn Wilson. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Matt Langevin of Conard is chased by Hall’s Josh Onyirimba and Evan Duzan. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Henry Fisher. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Josh Onyirimba runs the ball for a Hall touchdown. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Evan Duzan of Hall and Aidan Stabnick of Conard. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conard quarterback Declan Flaherty. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conard fans. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conard cheerleaders. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hall fans. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hall Blue Reign. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hall cheerleaders. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hall band entertains at halftime. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Burke Martindale. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hall quarterback Burke Martindale looks for the opening as Conard’s Dillon Forsberg pressures. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Burke Martindale prepares for the throw. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hall celebrates its third touchdown. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Conard’s Jack Moore prepares to take a knee to end the game. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mayor Shari Cantor and West Hartford Athletic Director Jason Siegal award the Mayor’s Cup to Conard. Annual Conard vs. Hall West Hartford Mayor’s Cup football game. Nov. 19, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton