Avon’s Francesco Longo ran for 47 yards and a touchdown in Friday night’s loss to Berlin.
BERLIN, Nov. 1 – A few quick mistakes helped the Berlin High football team secure their sixth win of the season in a 41-7 CCC Division III East victory over Avon on Friday night at Sage Park.
The victory lifts Berlin (6-1, 4-0 CCC Div. III East) to their fourth straight CCC Division III East championship and fifth title in the last six years.
Leading by 14 points, the Redcoats scored two touchdowns in the span of 27 seconds in the second quarter to take command of the contest. Berlin cornerback Mark Addamo intercepted Avon QB Tabor Engle, setting up a 47-yard touchdown run from Johnny McGeever on the next play for a 21-0 lead.
After the kickoff, it was Berlin defensive back Kyle Krupa intercepting Engle and returning the ball 44 yards for a touchdown and a 28-0 lead. The Berlin defense forced five Avon turnovers, intercepting three passes and recovering two fumbles. The Redcoats also blocked a field goal attempt.
McGeever ran for a game-high 134 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Berlin QB Justin Skates completed 11-of-14 passes for 144 yards and two TDs. He was intercepted once. Berlin receiver Danny Lynch caught four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Francesco Longo led the Falcons by rushing for 47 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Sean Nolan caught a pair of passes for 65 yards for Avon (1-6, 1-3 CCC Div. III East). Engle completed 7-of-19 passes for 130 yards and three interceptions.
The Falcons will play their final home game of the season on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. when Avon hosts Plainville (5-2) on the new turf field.
Berlin 41, Avon 7
At Berlin
Avon (1-6) 0 0 0 7 – 7
Berlin (6-1) 7 28 6 0 – 41
First Quarter
B: Jamie Palemese 44 pass from Justin Skates (Josh Grimm kick), 3:33
Second Quarter
B: Johnny McGeever 21 run (Grimm kick), 11:37
B: McGeever 47 run (Grimm kick), 2:59
B: Kyle Krupa 34 interception return (Grimm kick), 2:42
B: Danny Lynch 23 pass from Skates (Grimm kick), 0:36
Third Quarter
B: Palmese 13 pass from Skates (kick fail), 6:06
Fourth Quarter
A: Francesco Longo 17 run (Kevin Mullaj kick), 4:16
Individual statistics
RUSHING: Berlin — McGeever 13-134, Elijah Crowley 5-28, Palmese 4-35, Tanner Sparks 2-2, Justin Skates 1-minus 11, Lorenzo Miele 1-minus 10, Kyle Krupa 2-9. Avon — Longo 9-47
PASSING: Berlin — Skates 11-14-1, 144, Jamie Palmese 1-1-0, 3, Lorenzo Miele 1-1-0, 2; Avon: Tabor Engle 7-19-3, 130
RECEIVING: Berlin — Palmese 3-68, Lynch 4-42, Mark Addamo 2-24, John McKeever 1-5, Kyle Krupa 2-8, William Gomes 1-2. Avon — Sean Nolan 2-65, Tyler Brokenshire 1-38, Colby Nemarich 1-20
INTERCEPTIONS: Krupa (B) 1-35, Addamo (B) 2-15; FUMBLE REC: Jon D’Amore (B), Jake Holmes (B)
