By Michael Letendre
We’re continuing our scholastic football talk in TBE today as the opening contests for both Bristol Central and Bristol Eastern are on the horizon.
The Rams have a chance this season to rack up its 300th program victory while the Lancers are in the hunt for win No. 250.
Bristol public high school football have combined for 543 victories and will look to add to those totals in 2021.
And here’s a unique question for today’s conversation:
Between the two public schools, which program has the most ties?
It’s a close call but Eastern boasts more stalemates than Central, 18-15.
Back in the day, some conferences did not sanction overtime periods.
In fact, some conferences around the state did not have the mechanism, or the means in place, to break ties after four completed periods.
This fall, the squad that the Lancers have tied most in program history is back on the schedule.
Out of those 18 ties, Eastern and Plainville have drawn five stalemates but don’t expect the same outcome on October 1 from Tinty’s Track and Field.
It’s been a while since the Lancers defeated the Blue Devils but the schools weren’t regular opponents over the past twenty years.
The last victory for Eastern over Plainville came back on September 14, 2001, as the Lancers snuck out a 16-14 non-conference win.
That season, with Eastern going 5-5 overall, the Lancers started the campaign at 5-1 – pulling off the opening season victory at Plainville.
It was the first win for Eastern head coach Jack Krampitz.
The Lancers scored all of its points over the first half while the Eastern defense shutout the Blue Devils over the final 24 minutes of play.
Al ‘Bubba’ Blumenthal stood out defensively while Eastern quarterback Dave Michaud sealed the deal with a 73 yard TD pass to Alfred Martinez in the second quarter – the ultimate difference maker.
Along the lines of Eastern’s all-time records, who is the squad the Lancers have beaten the most over the years?
It’s actually a three-way tie.
Eastern has defeated Maloney, Platt, and Bristol Central 23 times apiece.
Those victories have come over CCIL, Colonial Conference, and CCC South wars and the squads have all been regular opponents of each other.
Of course in 2021, Bristol won’t see the programs from Meriden.
While Eastern gets to challenge Plainville to open October, Central will take its shot at the Blue Devils on November 12.
In 16 games against Plainville, Central is 10-5-1 all-time against its neighbor (on the CIAC website, it states the game between the Rams and Blue Devils will be played on the Varsity Softball Turf at Plainville high school…).
Speaking of Central, the Rams carry an all-time record of just over .500 (296-289-15) with the program having big success against those Meriden programs.
If you had to guess, does Central have more victories against Maloney or Platt?
It’s another close one but the Rams have three more wins against Platt (29) than Maloney (26).
And in terms of all-time victories, Central has defeated Eastern more than any other opponent – carrying an all-time ledger of 36-23-2 against its crosstown rival.
Those Battle for the Bell showdowns started in 1959 and the Rams have led the series from the onset.
What does a typical Central/Eastern Thanksgiving Day game look like from the Rams’ point of view?
Let’s look at the showdown from 2001 as Central – and head coach Dennis Perrone – battled Krampitz (boy, that guy gets around) and the Lancers on Thanksgiving.
Central had Timmy Washington, the state’s top player, and he rushed for 276 yards on 22 carries against the Lancers as the Rams rang up a 36-12 win.
Washington tallied four touchdowns that day.
Eastern’s Brian Walker rushed for 105 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns as the Lancers trailed just 15-12 at the half.
But a 21-0 run by Central over third period play essentially ended the showdown.
The Rams ended the year at 9-1 but just missed out on the postseason.
Back in 2001, only the four top teams in each class advanced to the playoffs.
By the way, Washington ended his playing days with 9,021 all-purpose yards – an amazing tally.
