By Michael Letendre
NEWINGTON — The Bristol Central football team is going to have a chance to finish its 2023 campaign at .500 thanks in part to a huge 20-17 CCC Tier III victory at Newington on Friday evening.
It was a tremendous win for the program (4-5 overall) as fourth quarter heroics helped stave off pesky Newington (2-7).
After starting the campaign at 1-5, the Rams have won three straight games and earned a real shot to break even when Central and Bristol Eastern lock horns on Thanksgiving in, perhaps, the last ever showdown of that holiday tradition between the schools.
Central could also completely knock the Lancers out of state tournament qualification with a victory before eating a little turkey.
Against the Nor-easters, the Rams had three rushers gain yardage, keeping the chains moving for the visiting aggression.
Jayden Glasper led the offensive charge by collecting 87 yards on 15 carries while Anthony Paulino (three carries, 31 yards) made every rush count.
And then Donovan Rodriguez helped to carry the offensive load on the ground and in the air.
He nabbed 73 yards on 20 carries while making 2-of-5 passes for 49 yards.
Aiden Lamarre added two big PATs — out of three attempts — while Paulino ran in a kickoff return to help spur the winning effort.
Paulino was all over the place in terms of special teams — blocking a field goal to stave off the loss over a huge game-saving play.
Newington QB Enzo Corvino was held to just 2-of-12 passing for 29 yards and a touchdown thanks to outstanding defense by the Rams as Tashawn Cauley (1.5 sacks), Quincy Lawson (sack), Jack Jones (sack) and Jayden colon (half-sack) put all sorts of pressure on the Nor’easter’s signal caller.
Central’s Caleb Simard picked off a Corvino pass, Jones made a team leading 13 tackles (two for a loss), Tim Sample nabbed five tackles while Nate Davis, Jack Hartley, Lawson (two tackles for losses) and Cauley (three tackles for losses) all wrapped up four tackles apiece.
Central out-gained Newington 240-184 overall while notching 13 points in fourth period play to eventually steal the game away.
The Nor-easters rushed for 155 yards but was limited to just three points over the final 12 minutes of action.
The game was a 7-7 stalemate at the half while Newington scored a third period TD, leading 14-7 with 12 minutes to play.
Then a wild and wooly fourth period by Central’s defense make all the stops save a field goal by Newington’s Jason Gogol.
But Central ended up scoring those 13 fourth period points, making a huge comeback late, to drop Newington by three points with the showdown against Eastern on tap.
Bristol Central Football – CCC Tier 2 Showdown
BRISTOL CENTRAL 20, NEWINGTON 17
from Alumni Field, Newington
Bristol Central (4-5) 7 0 0 13 – 20
Newington (2-7) 7 0 7 3 – 17
Individual Statistics
RUSHING – Bristol Central: Jayden Glasper 15-87, Donovan Rodriguez 20-73, Anthony Paulino 20-73.
PASSING – Bristol Central: Rodriguez 2-for-5, 49 yards.
RECEPTIONS – Bristol Central: Jack Hartley 1-16, Lawson 1-33.
Records: Bristol Central 4-5 overall; Newington 2-7.
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