Kearsarge Football Pounds its Way to Big Win in Season Opening Game

The Kearsarge football team had high expectations heading into the 2015 season given its success from a year ago, so Mike Pezone headed down to Pembroke Academy on Saturday to see how the Cougars would fare in Week 1 action.

It didn’t take long for the visiting team to make a statement, as a 3-and-out on Pembroke’s first drive resulted in a well-timed blocked punt by Cam Webster that was promptly scooped up Scott Matthews and carried into the end zone for a 6-0 lead and the team’s first touchdown of the season. Kearsarge added to that lead midway through the quarter on its first offensive play from scrimmage. This time it was quarterback Willio Rehor who got the job done, racing 45 yards to pay dirt to put his team up a commanding 12-0.

The Cougars made it a 24-0 game on the first play of the second quarter when Justin Norris fieled a punt near his own sideline, and then cut across the length of the field, before scampering some 50 yards for his team’s third touchdown of the game. And then for good measure, a 4-yard rush from Riley Antle midway through the second quarter, followed by a dominant 68-yard run from Norris behind some more solid blocking had Kearsarge celebrating a 36-0 halftime lead.

The Cougars added one final touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Parker Pitts rushed in from 11 yards out to put the visiting team up 43-0. Pembroke did have some cause to celebrate later in the quarter, though, when quarterback Julius Monroig connected with tight end Noah Manteau on a 57-yard touchdown pass to round to the game’s scoring.

Mike spoke to Kearsarge coach Zach Matthews after the game, who said he was happy with the way his team battled through any pre-game jitters to put up such a solid effort

The Cougars will try and make it two wins in a row on Saturday when they welcome Kennett to town.