After a pair of tough losses, the Alvirne High School football team got back into the win column on Friday night, Sept. 25, posting a 17-7 victory over the Spaulding Red Raiders at home.
The victory improved the Broncos to 2-2 on the season and gave them their second win of the year. It was also their first victory since opening the season with a 16-6 win at Keene.
Alvirne entered Friday’s game looking to regroup after suffering a 28-6 loss to Windham the previous week. The Broncos responded with their highest offensive point total of the season, surpassing the 16-points they scored in the season-opening win over Keene.
While the Broncos’ offense provided enough production to secure the victory, the defense and special teams also played important roles in keeping Spaulding in check.
The Broncos put their first points on the board during an impressive opening drive that ended with a fourth-and-10 field goal by senior Suleiman Suleiman. The kick came from the 24-yard line and sailed through the uprights for a 34-yard field goal.
On the ensuing possession, the Alvirne defense forced the Red Raiders into a three-and-out, giving the Broncos excellent field position at their own 43-yard line.
Alvirne took advantage of the opportunity on its second drive. Junior running back Alex Bettencourt caught a screen pass from quarterback Cam St. Clair at the 12-yard line and raced into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. Suleiman added the extra point to give the Broncos a 10-0 lead.
Spaulding responded with an impressive drive of its own, but the Alvirne defense came up with a big play at the goal line. Senior defensive back Kylar Cox intercepted a pass, giving the Broncos possession at their own 10-yard line.
The Broncos were unable to capitalize on the turnover and eventually punted from their own 35-yard line. The Red Raiders returned the punt 74 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Alvirne lead to 10-7.
That score held through the remainder of the first half and into the third quarter, setting up a decisive fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth, Spaulding missed a critical field goal attempt from the 16-yard line, and the Broncos quickly took advantage.
With 9:00 remaining, Alvirne faced a fourth-and-one from its own 27-yard line. Senior tight end Angel Kangar took the handoff and broke through the middle, racing 73 yards for a touchdown.
Suleiman added the extra point, giving the Broncos a 17-7 lead.
The Alvirne defense then finished the job. With just seconds remaining and Spaulding threatening at the goal line, the Broncos forced a turnover on downs to preserve the 10-point victory and finish their fourth game of the season on a high note.
Senior Gus Baldon was one of the defensive standouts for the Broncos. He recorded a quarterback pressure that resulted in an interception, made two tackles for loss and delivered a key block that helped spring the fourth-quarter touchdown run.
Kangar also turned in an impressive two-way performance. According to the New Hampshire Football Report, he rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries while also making an impact defensively with an interception, a sack and a tackle for loss.
The Broncos also received important work up front from Eugene Njoroge.
The two-way lineman was credited with three pancake blocks that helped open holes for Kangar. Defensively, Njoroge forced a fumble and made a tackle as part of a goal-line stand.
The win moved Alvirne to 2-2 overall, while Spaulding dropped to 1-3.
The Broncos will return to the road for a Division I Central matchup against Manchester Central on Friday, Oct. 2, at 6:30 p.m. Manchester Central enters the game with a 2-2 record after falling to Concord, 40-0, on Sept. 25.
Alvirne will then make the short trip to Londonderry High School on Friday, Oct. 9, for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Lancers.
