Rutland
Withstanding a Hurricane surge after leading by two touchdowns late in the third quarter, the Hilltoppers hung on for a 33-32 win and their first D-I title as time ran out on Hartford at the 7-yard line.
Undefeated St. Johnsbury (11-0) escaped despite a courageous performance by senior Canes QB Tyler Hamilton who, despite suffering a badly sprained ankle on the first play of the second quarter, returned at the start of the second half and — limping considerably at times — finished with 90 rushing yards, two scores on the ground and one through the air.
Bolstered as well by running backs Kody Rhodes (10 carries, 100 yards, touchdown), Nick Porter (13 carries, 78 yards) and Hunter Perkins (11 carries, 56 yards), Hartford amassed 326 yards on the ground to counter electric St. Johnsbury QB Jacob Cady’s 266-yard passing night and four total touchdowns (two rushing).
Hartford faced two-score deficits for much of the night as the frigid weather did little to deter St. Jay’s vaunted passing attack.
Trailing 33-20 after Cady’s second rushing score with 2:44 left in the third quarter, the Hurricanes responded with a five-play scoring drive following a long kickoff return by Rhodes.
Added by a personal foul penalty against the Hilltoppers, Hartford quickly entered the red zone and Hamilton connected with Porter for a 19-yard scoring pass to make it 33-26.
Hartford stopped St. Johnsbury for a turnover on downs on the next drive and engineered another scoring march, converting on fourth-and-3 when Hamilton scampered for 16 to set up first-and-goal. Hamilton finished the job with a QB sneak on third down from inside the one, giving Hartford the chance to tie the game with an extra point or take the lead with a 2-point conversion.
The Hurricanes — who haven’t attempted an extra point in a close game since the season opener against the same Hilltoppers — went for two, and Hamilton was stuffed just shy with 5:39 to play.
“I thought I was in, but it was a judgment call (by officials),” Hamilton said.
The Hilltoppers earned one first down on the ensuing drive before punting, giving it back to Hartford at the 31 with 3:58 to go.
The Hurricanes used their final timeout and reached midfield before the aching Hamilton dove to convert a fourth-and-5 and keep Hartford’s hopes alive. The Canes converted twice more on fourth-and-short, Rhodes’ 4-yard rush setting up a Hamilton spike at the 7-yard line with 9.9 seconds left.
Eschewing what would have been a 25-yard field goal attempt for the lead, Hartford kept it on the ground with an outside rush by Porter. He was tackled for a 3-yard loss to end the game.
Hartford freshman Koby Peach had booted one extra point — equivalent to a 20-yard field goal — during each of two blowout wins in Hartford’s two previous playoff games, but Hartford made no field goals this season and has relied heavily on 2-point conversions following touchdowns.
“I felt the odds of us making it were too low,” said Hartford coach Matt Trombly about passing on a field goal attempt. “We wanted the ball in our playmakers’ hands.”
As for electing to run, Trombly was playing the odds that St. Johnsbury would be anticipating a pass.
“I thought we would catch them in prevent, which would give Porter a chance to make a play or get out of bounds,” he said.
As they did during St. Johnsbury’s 22-19 win in the season opener, conversion points played a significant role in the final. The Hilltoppers made extra points after three of their five touchdowns, failing once on a PAT and once on a 2-point attempt, while Hartford was just 1-for-5 on 2-pointers.
“Two-pointers were the difference,” said St. Johnsbury coach Rich Alercio. “If we allow more conversion points, we probably lose.”
Cady, a junior, ran in from 9 yards out and Matt Roy scored from the 5 after a 43-yard connection from Cady to Rankin to give the Hilltoppers as early 13-0 lead.
“Especially in a game like this, you always want to jump out early and play with the lead,” Cady said. “I’m just glad we were able to hang on for the win.”
Hamilton exploded for a 65-yard touchdown rundown the left sideline to make it 13-6, but he was hurt one play after linebacker Reece Thompson recovered a fumble for the Canes.
With freshman Cole Jasmin in for Hamilton at both QB and safety, Cady found Justin Bailey for a 21-yard score.
Hartford’s ground game kicked in with force during a 65-yard march capped by Rhodes’ 5-yard plunge, but Cady tossed what was deemed a lateral pass to lineman Hunter Hamel for a two-yard score to make it 26-12 at halftime.
An official later explained that Hamel didn’t need to be declared eligible because he caught the ball behind the line of scrimmage. Trombly said he will seek further clarification.
By this time, Hamilton was seen performing calf raises and even sprinting on the sideline, indicating he might return.
He did at the start of the second half, impressively keeping Hartford in position to rally despite noticeable pain.
“I thought I heard something snap (during the initial play I was injured), so I thought I was done for the night at first,” said Hamilton.
“Once I went back in, I was going to do whatever I could to stay in.”
Extra Points: St. Johnsbury handed Hartford (9-2) its only losses this year and avenged last season’s 24-14 defeat in the final. … Alercio is in his fifth season with St. Johnsbury after resigning from Castleton State College (now Castleton University) in 2011 amid reported recruiting violations. … Former Thetford Academy head of school Dave McGinn is now the athletic director at St. Johnsbury… The Hilltoppers’ last championship came in the D-II ranks in 1994. … Hartford fell to 12-7 all-time in title games.
Jared Pendak can be reached at jpendak@vnews.com or 603-727-3225.