The Tabor game started the same way most of our games have started this season, with the defenses on both sides of the ball controlling the tempo through the first quarter.  Mid-way through the second quarter Tabor mounted their first offensive push, opening the scoring on a pass play to claim a 6-0 lead.  It took an unbelievably athletic, one handed interception by cornerback Cole Nye '20 to turn the ball over in Tabor territory and ignite our offense just before halftime.  The offense didn't squander this opportunity and drove the ball down to the 5-yard line where quarterback Cole Cleary '20 connected with (very appropriately) wide receiver Cole Nye for the touchdown.  Liam Connor's PAT kick gave Middlesex the lead at 7-6.  With less than a minute to go in the half, the MX defense again produced a turnover.  This time inside linebacker Sahnai Swain-Price '21 stripped the ball from a Tabor receiver and cornerback Cedrick Paradis '20 scooped it up running it back to the Tabor 31-yard line with three seconds to go.  Placekicker Liam Connor '22 was called upon to try a long field goal. Liam had been kicking well all week leading up to the game, but 48 yards was a long way.  You had to be there to really appreciate the kick, it came off his foot clean and high and cleared the cross bar with yards to spare, upping the MX lead to 10-6.  We have looked into where this kick fits in MX Football history and found kicks of 32 and 37-yards, but cannot find anything that comes close to 48 yards. This kick not only probably set a school record, it energized the whole team, setting the tone for the entire second half. 

Coming out after halftime, MX didn't waste any time.  Nye would start the scoring off with a nifty 24-yard TD reception from Cedrick Paradis on a halfback pass. Cal Fries '20 then added a very determined catch and run for 60 yards increasing the MX lead to 24-6.  MX would drive the ball back into Tabor territory at the end of the third quarter, eventually scoring on an 18-yard pass from Cleary to tight end Sahnai Swain-Price, on the first play of the fourth quarter to take a 31-6 lead.  Tabor would score one more time in the fourth quarter for a final score of 31-14.  The offensive line and the defensive front seven were the deciding factors in this victory (Wes Capitani '20, Kevin Ma '22, Aaron Peroni '20, Nick DeBruin '22, Peter Sleeper '22, Sahnai Swain-Price '21, Michael Conde '20, Axel Romell '21 and Julian Farr '20) deserve praise for their performance.  I would also like to highlight kicker Liam Connor '22 for his perfect day on PATs and setting what will most likely prove to be a school record field goal of 48 yards.  The team will take on Rivers, in a short week of preparation, this coming Friday at 2:30 pm.