After dropping the first two games of the season, the South Windsor Bobcats football team have won five straight games while averaging just over 38 points a game. Under the bright lights at East Hartford High School the Bobcats would battle the Hornets as they looked to push their streak to a half dozen.
The game started with the visiting Bobcats on offense. Both offenses would be quick to get going. Junior quarterback Wyatt Prather had a pair of big runs to set up his running back, Jalil Montgomery. Being one of the state’s leading rushers, Montgomery would easily punch in the touchdown to take an early 6-0 lead.
East Hartford would respond quickly and take a 7-6 lead after making the extra point attempt. The quarter would come to a close with the score separated by just one point, but the second quarter would be when the offenses really took off.
A long rush by senior Jaden Bridgeforth set up Montgomery for his second touchdown of the first half. The Hornets fired right back by housing the ensuing kickoff on a spectacular return by senior Isaiah Tripp.
Bridgeforth would kill the sudden momentum shift when he took off for a very long touchdown run to put the Bobcats back in front.
The Bobcats would keep the excitement going when they pounded on the kickoff and recovered the ball. Just a few plays later, senior Dom MacNeil punched in a touchdown to extend the ‘Cats lead.
An East Hartford touchdown would end the first half’s scoring fest. The teams headed to the locker room with a 26-20 South Windsor lead.
On the opening drive of the second half, the Hornets started to mount a nice drive. Just as they entered Bobcat territory, East Hartford’s junior quarterback Anthony Caravallo would misfire his pass right into the arms of South’s Justin Flor.
In a flash of deja vu, Bridgeforth took off for a long rush all the way inside the Hornets ten yard line. MacNeil would get the job done for Bridgeforth with his second rushing touchdown of the game.
Montgomery would have several long runs throughout the half to set the Bobcats up in great positioning. MacNeil tacked on another touchdown to put the ‘Cats over 40 points.
The Bobcats defense made several huge plays in the second half to keep the Bobcats lead intact. Senior Ny’kem Jackson became a regular in the Hornets backfield after making several tackles for loss and a sack. Junior Zach Jenks chased down Caravallo and made a huge sack to end the Hornets drive.
Bridgeforth took a handoff from the 50 yard line and went right through the middle of the East Hartford defense. The senior would go untouched all the way to the endzone for his second touchdown of the game.
The final blow came when MacNeil took off from deep in his own territory. Several spins, jukes, and a cut back right would send MacNeil to the endzone for his fourth, final, and most spectacular touchdown yet.
When all was said and done, the Bobcats won 60-38. The win marks the sixth straight for the ‘Cats and a new season high score.
After scoring a career high four touchdowns, MacNeil spoke to The Prowl, saying “We prepared and executed. That’s what we do. That’s six straight wins and it’s about to be seven.”
Montgomery agreed with MacNeil, saying “We focused in during practice, followed all of our keys and it paid off.”
The Bobcats will be back in action against Glastonbury on Friday as they look to win their seventh consecutive game and bolster their playoff chances.
