Things didn’t go as planned for the Alvirne High School Football team on Friday night, Sept. 27, at Windham High School, as they were looking to advance their Division I record to 4-0, after starting the season with three strong victories.
The Broncos fell behind in the first quarter after a snap on a fourth and seven punt attempt went over the head of Broncos kicker, Shawn Boudreau, where the Jaguars recovered for a safety and a 2-0 lead.
It turned out that the two-point margin was all the Windham squad needed for the 14-12 victory.
The Jags were able to do something that the Broncos previous opponents couldn’t, contain junior running back, Mike Landmesser, and limit him to 85 yards on 22 carries.
Encroachment penalties were another thorn in the side of the Broncos coaching staff. The defense had several throughout the night at critical moments.
With the loss, Alvirne fell to 3-1 and WHS moved their division record up to 2-1.
Both teams had issues getting started in this game, going two-quarters without putting any offensive points on the board.
The Windham defense was able to contain the Alvirne offense for much of the first half leaving the Bronco scoreless by halftime, something no other team had done up to this point in the season
They also limited the amount of positive yard that Landmesser could put on the board, he finished the night with 88-yards on 22 attempts.
On Windham’s first possession of the second half, with the ball at their 16-yard line, on second down with nine to go, the Jags put six more points on the board with a huge passing play, making it 8-0 at the 11-minute mark of the third quarter.
Broncos special teams players were able to block the extra-point attempt.
Responding to that big play, the Alvirne offense seemed to get into a better rhythm, marching down the field, but then a fumbled at Jags 37-yard line for a turnover.
The Broncos quickly got the ball back, right where they lost it, when after a three-and-out series by WHS, the Alvirne defense blocked the punt attempt.
That block set up the first score of the night for the Broncos, after quarterback, Charlie Crawford, completed a pass to the two-yard line on second and 11, from the 29.
Crawford followed that up with a run into the endzone for six-points.
Unfortunately for the Broncos, the two-point conversion attempt was no good. Crawford’s receivers were covered and he was tackled while rolling right.
With the score now 8-6 at 3:33 in the third quarter, it seemed that Alvirne was back on track, but the Jags came right back with running touchdown from midfield to end the third quarter at 14-6, unable to convert the two-pint attempt.
The Alvirne defense kept their team in the game after that and the offense managed a solid drive in the final minutes of the contest.
Senior tight end, Ryan Rocheleau, ran the ball in from the 19-yard line on third and 13 for the second AHS touchdown of the night.
Finally, after another two-point conversion was foiled, behind by two withunder three-minutes left on the clock, AHS had no choice but to attempt an on-side kick, which skidded along the wet surface of the field into the hands of a Windham player.
With the final possession of the game, the Jaguars were able to run the ball out to end the game at 14-12.
Alvirne will try to get their fourth win of the season this week at Londonderry High School.
The Lancers are also coming off their first divisional loss of the season, losing to Pinkerton Academy by a score of 35-15 during Mack Plaque weekend on Saturday, Sept. 28.
