QB Andrew Livingstone (21) throws a pass in the 2009 Class M semifinal against Berlin at Muzzy Field. Avon’s second half rally fell short in a 35-28 loss. (Photo courtesy Paul Tortland)
BERLIN, Oct. 22 – It’s been a while since Avon and the Berlin High football team played with a championship on the line.
In 2009, the two teams met for the first time in the CIAC Class M playoffs at Muzzy Field in Bristol.
The Redcoats leaped out to a quick 28-point lead thanks to several Avon turnovers. And Berlin was able to hold off a late charge for a 35-28 win in the semifinals. A few days later, Berlin went on to win its first state championship in football with a 46-6 win over Bethel.
Avon (3-2, 2-0 CCC Div. III East) and Berlin (5-0, 2-0 CCC Div. III East) meet Friday night at Sage Park at 6:30 p.m., in Berlin with the divisional championship up for grabs.
A win by either side won’t clinch any championship but it will certainly put the winner in the driver’s seat to claim the pennant. Avon or Berlin would certainly be favored to win its remaining divisional contest. After five weeks, Tolland, Fermi and Rockville — the other three teams in CCC Division III East — are a combined 1-14.
Avon is looking to rebound from a 42-28 loss to Bloomfield two weeks ago. The Falcons have lost two of their last three games. They also dropped a 22-20 decision to East Catholic.
Avon’s Austin Kick (87) and Tyler D’Onofrio finish off a tackle of Berlin’s Mason Powers (18) in the 2009 Class M semifinals (Photo courtesy Paul Tortland)
Quarterback Ian McDonald looks to be in the middle of everything offensively for Avon, which is playing in the CCC for the first time this fall. McDonald has scored 11 touchdowns in the last three games including four each in games against Bloomfield and Tolland. Against Tolland, he completed 11 of 25 passes for 271 yards and a TD – the second-highest yards passing in team history in a single game.
The Falcons are still clinging to its fading CIAC Class L playoff hopes. They can’t lose another game if they hope to be among the top eight teams that earn a playoff berth. Right now, Avon is ranked No. 14.
The Redcoats captured the CCC Div. III East title for the second consecutive season last fall. Berlin earned a spot in the Class M playoffs for the fifth time in six years last season, advancing to the Class M Large championship game before losing to Brookfield, 14-0.
This year, the Redcoats are off to a fine start. Quarterback Jack Lynch was completed 29-of-49 passes for 449 yards and four TDs. Owen Taylor leads the way on the ground with 279 yards and seven TDs on 54 carries while Ryan Cup is the leading receiver with nine receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, watch for Alex Fleeton with 31 tackles, five for losses and three sacks.
It’s not the first time the two teams have met with championship aspirations on the line. The schools were members of the Northwest Conference from 1965 through 1984 and played together in the Nutmeg Football Conference from 1994 through 2003.
Outside of the two years when Avon made its first jump into the Pequot Conference (1996, 1997), the two schools had a yearly contest through 2003.
In 1983, Avon rolled past Berlin, 22-3 behind running back Lee Ranaldi, who ran for 175 yards and two touchdowns in the win. The Falcons limited Berlin to just 154 yards of offense.
But a berth in the Class S playoffs and sole possession of the Northwest Conference title vanished in a 27-0 loss to Farmington the week before Thanksgiving. Avon (8-1) ended up sharing the Northwest Conference title with Berlin.
In 1980, Berlin denied Avon (9-1) a perfect season and a playoff berth with a 16-6 decision in early October. A big goal line stand in the second quarter and a defense that forced three Avon turnovers and limited Henry Brown to just 69 yards lifted Berlin to the victory. The Falcons had won their first five games of the season.
Berlin’s 20-7 decision in week five of the 1979 campaign was the difference in the Northwest Conference race. Berlin back Rich Liburdi ran for 210 yards and two TDs on 25 carries. The Redcoats ran the table in the league at 5-0 while Avon was second at 4-1.
Berlin’s 8-6 win in the second week of the 1965 season was the difference in the Northwest Conference race in Avon’s first year in that league. A fourth quarter safety was the key play in the game. The Falcons scored on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Jim Eacott to Bill Loeffler. The two-point conversion run failed. Berlin went 5-0 in the league while Avon was 4-1.
It’s been 32 years since the Falcons beat Berlin. The 22-3 win in 1983 was Avon’s last victory in the series. Berlin has won 19 straight games over the Falcons.
NOTABLE: Berlin leads the overall series, 27-11-1. … The biggest win in the series was Berlin’s 55-7 win in 2000. … Avon’s biggest win came in 1967 in a 41-6 decision. … Berlin has won 19 in a row since last losing a game in 1983.
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