Local Roundup: Hartford blanks Mount Anthony to remain undefeated, atop VPA Division I

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Hartford High’s homecoming celebration Friday honored the football team’s 10 seniors and a slew of past championship squads in assorted sports.

The pep band and student section were appropriately rowdy, and an eight-minute fireworks display enlivened halftime. It was a rousing show of small-town Americana and the gridiron gang played its part, thumping Mount Anthony, 35-0.

Hartford is 7-0 with one game remaining in the regular season and is raising hopes it can claim its first state title since 2016 and the 13th in program history.

Hartford scored in each quarter against the winless Patriots, who were worn down in the trenches, allowing running backs Brody Tyburski and Ezra Mock and quarterback Brayden Trombly room to roam.

“We’re very fortunate to have a lot of kids who can carry or catch the ball,” said Hartford coach Matt Trombly. “In the past we had to take very good care of our quarterback, but this year, if we’re going to be playing in November, we have to pull out all the stops and let him go 100 miles per hour.”

Brayden Trombly opened the scoring with a 32-yard run with five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Quick feet, straight-ahead speed and decisive moves allow the senior son of Hartford’s head coach to burst past the line of scrimmage before the defense can adjust.

Zach Parker ran 15 yards for the Hurricanes’ second score early in the second quarter. Graham Thompson booted the second of his three extra points for a 14-0 lead. A 6-yard Trombly run three minutes after halftime put the hosts up, 20-0.

Tyburski bulled in for a 1-yard touchdown and Trombly ran for the two-point conversion and a 28-0 lead two minutes into the fourth quarter. Switching from quarterback to defensive back, Trombly also intercepted a pass with five minutes to play, leading to another 1-yard Tyburski touchdown run two minutes before the final horn.

Matt Trombly touted linemen Cole Withington, Andrew Keenan, Richie Rosenbeck, Matt Franklin and Aiden Harrington and added he hopes Ryan Spaulding can return for the playoffs after a hip injury.

“Our seniors have been playing together for a long time, and they really want to get the job done this year,” said the coach, whose team visits Rutland (1-6) next week.

— Tris Wykes

Stevens 34, Kingswood 6

WOLFEBORO, N.H. — Tyler “Tank” Christian and Zack Richardson scored two touchdowns each to lead the Cardinals (3-4) over the Knights (2-5).

Christian opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 5-yard run, and Richardson ran it in from 30 and 25 yards in the second quarter for a 22-0 Cardinal lead at halftime.

Kingswood got on the board in the third quarter, but Stevens secured the win in the fourth with a 12-yard pass from Christian to Maddox Foster and Christian’s 20-yard run.

Stevens plays ConVal at Barnes Park in Claremont on Friday.

Hanover 44Manchester West 16

MANCHESTER — The Bears improved to 4-2 with a dominant win against the Blue Knights (0-6).

Hanover is home against Gilford-Belmont on Friday.

Cross country Hanover boys win CVCs, girls take second

SWANZEY, N.H. — The Hanover boys captured the Connecticut Valley Championship at the Cheshire Fairgrounds, and Thetford’s Ava Hayden won the girls 5K race with a time of 18:41.

Hanover’s Lucian Gleiser was second in the field of 76, finishing the 5K in 15:23, 12 seconds behind winner Sullivan Sturtz of Keene (15:11). Thetford’s Ben Mattern was third (15:58), and Lebanon’s Chip Silver took ninth (16:37) to highlight Upper Valley athletes.

The Hanover girls finished second behind Keene by one point in the team standings.

Hanover coach Eric Picconi said several runners, included Gleiser, ran their best times of the year, and the girls team showed depth with a number of personal bests.

“I’m so proud of how the team supported each other on the course,” Picconi said. “They ran with pride and confidence and they continue impress.”

Others results:

Hanover girls: Megan Faris (sixth, 20:27), Iris Freeman (seventh, 20:35), Alice Bell (eighth, 20:37), Ari Hirschler (11th, 20:45), Aria Deeb (12th, 20:54).

Thetford girls: Charlize Brown (21st, 21:52), Annie Hesser (27th, 22:22), Lucia Carr (41st, 23:26).

Lebanon girls: Katherine Herring (22nd, 21:53), Sophia Mladek (36th, 23:13), Sarah Smith (42nd, 23:34).

Thetford boys: Brady Sloop (seventh, 16:24) Sebastian Perdrizet (16th, 17:06).

Hanover boys: Andrew Valentino (11th, 16:54), Noah Branchflower (12th, 16:54), Isaac Novosad (15th, 17:03), Ryan Faris (18th, 17:10).

Lebanon boys: Nicholas Engert (14th, 16:59), Doyen Kodiweera (35th, 18:15).

Newport boys: Bryce Palmer (32nd, 18:12).

Boys team scores: Hanover 58, Keene 74, Thetford 81, Monadnock 88, Fall Mountain 99, Lebanon 115, Newport 187.

Girls team scores: Keene 43, Hanover 44, Fall Mountain 82, Thetford 108, Monadnock 111, Lebanon 155.

Field hockey

Lebanon 1, Plymouth 0

PLYMOUTH, N.H. — Meg Cheevers had 17 saves in net against the Bobcats (2-9-2) and Hannah Barton scored her first varsity goal with an assist by Mackenzie Ray. Lebanon finished the regular season at 5-8-1 with the win.

Lebanon coach Amanda Valliere praised the goaltending of Cheevers and the stick work of senior Lindsey Stark in protecting the circle.

“Not our prettiest field hockey game, but the team stayed calm and kept working to move the ball up and we came out with the win,” Valliere said.

The Raiders will open the NHIAA D-II tournament on the road later this week.

Mascoma 7, Littleton 0

WEST CANAAN — Freshman Evie Bennett scored twice and Ann Buffington added a goal and an assist as the Royals completed the regular season at 10-4-0.

Also scoring against Littleton (0-14-0) were Brianna Thurston, Kylie Rogers, Anna Emerson, and Maya Crandall, who got her first varsity goal. Ellie McGrody and Makenna Houston had assists. The Royals celebrated their five seniors: Thurston, Rogers, Hailey Miller, Kara Miller and goalie Gabby Pierce.

Mascoma will be the sixth seed in the NHIAA D-III tournament and will host a first-round game later this week.

Merrimack Valley 2Hanover 0

HANOVER — Goalie Guinevere Riordan had four saves for the Bears against Merrimack (7-5-2).

Hanover finished the regular season at 7-6-3 and will open the NHIAA Division II playoffs on the road this week.

Windsor 3, Brattleboro 1

WINDSOR — The Yellowjackets got goals from Gwen Ambrose, Annie Preece, and Gabby Gilbert to defeat the Bears (4-8-0). Mackenzie Kleefisch had two assists and Hannah Tenney one for Windsor.

Windsor (6-5-0) plays Springfield (0-11-0) at home on Monday.

Girls soccer Hanover 2Manchester Central 0

MANCHESTER — After a scoreless first half, the Bears took control on offense against the Little Green (2-12-0) with improved possession, leading to a goal in the 25th minute by Syd McLaughlin off a corner serve from Kiran Park.

Less than a minute later, Maeve Lee made it 2-0 with a shot from the left side 15 yards out. Sadie Ross had four saves for Hanover.

Hanover (9-3-1) is home against Bishop Guertin (13-1-0) on Tuesday.

Stevens 5, Bishop Brady 0

CLAREMONT — Payton Ferland had a hat trick and Maddy Minckler and Bella Bovell added a goal each in the win over the Green Giants (4-8-2). Bovell and Addison Derosier had assists for the Cardinals.

Stevens (12-2-1) hosts Hopkinton (12-1-1) on Monday for senior night at Monadnock Park in Claremont.

Sharon 2, Twin Valley 0

WHITINGHAM, Vt. — The Phoenix (2-9) picked up their second win of the year, defeating the Raiders (0-12), and will play Proctor at home on Monday.

Woodstock 1Otter Valley 0

WOODSTOCK — Maeve Roylance scored with nine minutes left in the second half assisted by Olivia Grasso. Jane Stout had five saves for the hosts.

Woodstock (9-4) welcomes Green Mountain on Monday.

John Stark 2, Lebanon 0

LEBANON — The Raiders dropped to 6-7-1 and will conclude the regular season on the road with visits to Souhegan (2-11-1) on Tuesday and Oyster River (6-6-2) on Friday.

Fall Mountain 4Mascoma 1

LANGDON, N.H. — The Wildcats (8-5-2) dropped Mascoma to 6-9-0. Mascoma wraps up the regular season on Wednesday with Berlin.

Leland & Gray 3Rivendell 1

ORFORD — The loss to the Rebels (9-2-1) leaves Rivendell at 7-4. Rivendell hosts Windsor on Tuesday.

Boys soccer Peoples 1, Thetford 0

MORRISTOWN, Vt. — The Panthers’ loss to the Wolves (8-3-1) leaves them at 4-7-0 with a road game at Lamoille on Monday.

Volleyball Belmont 3, Mascoma 0

BELMONT, N.H. — The loss to Belmont (11-2) drops the Royals to 3-10. Mascoma is on the road against Inter-Lakes on Monday.