Simsbury beats Avon/St. Paul to retain Valley Gridiron Classic trophy
Simsbury’s Andrew Convery (8) scored on an early run in Froday night’s Valley Gridiron Classic win over Avon/St. Paul at Avon on the turf field. (Photo courtesy Scott Kerr)
Quarterback Braedon Siano completed 10-of-26 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Simsbury High football team to their second straight win on Friday night with a 20-6 win over Avon/St. Paul in Avon on the turf field.
Simsbury (2-1) retained the Valley Gridiron Classic trophy, which goes to the winner of the contest.
Kayveon Long had 14 tackles, a sack and three tackles for a loss for Simsbury while teammate Brett Osborne had seven tackles, three tackles for a loss and a sack.
Avon (1-2) forced three turnovers with an interception and two fumble recoveries. Evan Herron ran for 44 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries for the Falcons.
After Avon/St. Paul fumbled the opening kickoff, Simsbury quickly cashed in with an eight-yard TD run from Andrew Convery for a 6-0 lead. The extra point failed.
Senior Sean Yanac (56) and Trojans beat Avon/St. Paul, 20-6 on Friday to retain the Valley Gridiron Classic trophy. Jesse Carst (50) and Caden Candelario (18) celebrate with Yanac. (Photo courtesy Scott Kerr)
On its next drive, Avon/St. Paul was facing a fourth down and nine on their own 40-yard line before Jaden Scott ran 16 yards for a first down. Falcon QB Chace King completed a 31-yard pass to Sam Putt to the Simsbury 13-yard line and Herron scored to tie the game at 6-6. Avon/St. Paul’s two-point conversion attempt failed.
Late in the second quarter, Simsbury marched to the Avon/St. Paul eight yard line thanks to a 15-play drive that included two conversions on third down and one fourth down conversion to keep the march going.
But the drive stalled on the eight when Silano fumbled and Avon/St. Paul’s Ian Herron came up with the loose ball.
Simsbury’s defense stood tall and forced Avon/St. Paul to turn the ball over on downs. Simsbury tried for a 26-yard field goal but missed it.
Late in the second quarter, Simsbury took a 12-6 lead on a 25-yard TD pass from Siano to Cole Roberts. The two-point conversion try failed.
Avon/St. Paul drove to the Simsbury 26-yard line on their first drive of the third quarter but the drive stalled, thanks in a part to a 10-yard holding penalty.
Later in the quarter, Simsbury’s Grayson Wagner intercepted a Chace King and returned it 37 yards to the Falcon 35-yard line. Two plays later, Siano connected with Bryan George for a 30-yard touchdown pass and a 20-6 lead. Cole Roberts scored on a two-point conversion pass from Siano.
Evan Herron ran for 44 yards and a touchdown for the Avon/St. Paul co-op squad in Friday’s game against Simsbury. (Photo courtesy Scott Kerr)
Of note: Simsbury leads the Valley Gridiron Classic series, 5-1. The Classic was first held between 2015-19 but it was discontinued at the time because the two programs were not competitive with each other at that time. From 2017-19, Simsbury outscored Avon, 131-16 in three consecutive games. .. The Trojans lead the overall series between the two schools that began in 1961 by a 10-5 margin. … Simsbury hosts Bloomfield on Thursday while Avon/St. Paul will host Weston on Friday at 6 p.m. in a non-conference contest.
Simsbury 20, Avon/St. Paul 6
At Avon
Simsbury (2-1) 6 6 8 0 — 20
Avon/St. Paul (1-2) 6 0 0 0 — 6
First quarter
S: Andrew Convery 8 run (kick failed)
A: Evan Herron 14 run (pass failed)
Second quarter
S: Cole Roberts 25 pass from Braeden Siano (run fails)
Third quarter
S: Brian George 30 pass from Siano (Roberts pass from Siano)
Individual leaders
RUSHING: Simsbury – Braeden Siano 11-56, Roberts 1-4, Brian George 2-7, Andrew Convery 7-32, Greyson Goetz 12-22, Nasir Gouldbourne 1-2; Avon – Evan Herron 11-44, Jaden Scott 3-31, Jaidyn Perry 5-19, Chace King 5-0, Dwane Edward 2-minus 5
PASSING: Simsbury – Siano 10-26-1, 164 yards, 2 TDs; King 7-24-1, 124
RECEIVING: Simsbury – Cole Roberts 2-39, Grayson Wagner 4-56, Brian George 1-30, Greyson Goetz 1-7, Aaron Blecher 1-17, Christian Sillari 1-15; Avon – Evan Herron 2-8, Sam Putt 1-31, Peyton Bip 2-66, Dwane Edward 1-17, Alex Schwarz 1-6
Of note: Kayveon Long (S) 14 tackles, 7 unassisted; 3 tackles for a loss (TFL), 1 sack; Brett Osborne 7 tackles, 4 unassisted, 3 TFLs, 1 sack; Avon forced 3 turnovers (interception, 2 fumbles) while Simsbury forced 2 turnovers (fumbles).
Valley Gridiron Classic
2015: Avon 55, Simsbury 26
2016: Simsbury 28, Avon 13
2017: Simsbury 42, Avon 0
2018: Simsbury 42, Avon 6
2019: Simsbury 47, Avon 10
2026: Simsbury 20, Avon 6