Warriors Muzzle Rabid Bulldogs

HAMPTON – Four times this season Bedford came from behind to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Today was not one of those occasions.

The second-seeded Bulldogs – who earned a 20-15 last-second victory against Keene in last week's semifinals – kept the Division II championship contest close throughout the game, nearly tying the contest during one pivotal minute in the third quarter. But top-ranked Winnacunnet's stout defense stamped a definite "NO" on Bedford's application for more late-game heroics and held on for a 21-13 triumph in front of a packed house of crazed fans.

The Warriors, who entered the fourth quarter ahead, 14-13, ate up much of the remaining clock with a 91-yard scoring drive that culminated when Bedford defenders allowed Seth Edwards to scamper 14 yards into the end zone with 1:15 remaining on the game clock.

Bedford head coach Kurt Hines said the aim was to give his team time to pull one more rabbit out of the hat.

"That was the message. Been there, done that," he said. "It's just, you know, this time they came out on top."

Though the contest proved the defensive battle that Winnacunnet coach Ron Auffant sought, it certainly didn't begin that way.

On the game's opening two drives, WHS standout running back Ben Franzoso and Bedford star quarterback James Caparell traded rushing touchdowns of eight and two yards, respectively.

Bedford's defense did its job on the third drive of the game, but the first of three key momentum shifts occurred when Bedford lost a punt at its own 36-yard line and then allowed Winnacunnet signal caller Ing Hao Veasna to put the exclamation point on a quick three-play drive with a one-yard quarterback sneak to put the Warriors ahead by seven.

Both teams assumed a defensive stalemate through the second quarter. The offensive blockade lasted until late in the third quarter when, with Winnacunnet driving deep in Bedford territory, the Bulldogs forced and recovered a fumble.

BHS lost yards on the first play, setting up a second and long from their own one-yard line before Caparell broke free on a 96-yard sprint that pushed his team to the Winnacunnet three.

"We were in a different type of defense and they called the perfect play for it," said Auffant. "We were man-to-man matching up ... we were trying to get a safety in that situation and it was probably not the right thing to do because we had nobody in the middle of the field and when he broke free he was gone."

"It gave us the life that we needed back to keep playing," said Hines. "We knew we had our backs against the wall there. I would like to say that play was designed to go that far, but we wanted some breathing room, you know, we wanted to get three or for yards, but (Caparell) just kept his legs moving and did a (heck) of a job."

Bedford's quarterback finished what he started, finding paydirt on the next play to pull the visitors within one.

Miscommunication and a Bedford player still running onto the field when the ball was snapped on the point-after attempt resulted in a penalty that was quickly turned down after the kick sailed wide right.

"Boy, was that a momentum shift," said Auffant. "I mean, we're coming down to score and we fumble. That's a 14-point swing, so that was huge. That ended up being the difference in the game."

The contest resumed its defensive tone until Edwards scored the go-ahead touchdown, yet the final result was not decided until the last minute.

"We probably should have taken a knee there," said Auffant. "I think they made the right decision letting us score because if they score and make a two-point conversion, we're in overtime."

Nyles Makarewicz-Connor made the point mute on fourth and five of the ensuing drive. The senior linebacker delivered a hard, clean hit that knocked a scampering Caparell off his feet and the ball out of his hands.

Winnacunnet recovered. Game over.

"It was a great football game. It came down to end," said Auffant. "I thought our defense did a pretty good job not giving big plays until that (96-yard) run. That was a backbreaker, but we answered, which was good ... Bedford gave us everything we could handle. Tough kids. Classy kids. A well-coached team. I have a lot of respect for them."

For the Warriors, the victory ended a four-game losing streak in state championship games. It was the programs first title since 2000 and fourth overall.

Hines and company, who fell to Portsmouth in last year's D-III finale, are still seeking their first crown.

"It's heartbreaking, but I'm proud of our guys. They fought to the end," said Hines. "We lost to a very good Winnacunnet team. You know, it's an unfortunate way to end the season, but these guys will look back at this, once they have a chance to lick their wounds, and realize we did something amazing."