Warriors Best Indians in Battle of Unbeatens

In a frigid battle of CCC Division II heavyweights, Windsor put an end to Farmington's undefeated streak Friday night, besting the Indians, 35-14.

In what was billed as the true litmus test for two squads that had maintained unblemished records through six games, Windsor overcame an early Farmington lead on its way to claiming its spot atop the division.

Farmington (6-1, 3-1) gave Windsor all it could handle right out of the gates. The Indians looked impressive early on, mounting a 3-minute, 90-yard touchdown drive on its first possession that knocked Windsor back on its heels.

Windsor coughed up the ball (one of its two lost fumbles of the night) on its second play from scrimmage, but managed to claw its way to a 1-yard run for a score and the lead midway through the second quarter, only to relinquish its short-lived lead minutes later on a 37-yard touchdown pass by Farminton's Brian Logan.

Farmington's game plan looked seamless early on. Through the first quarter alone, the Indians gained more yards (95) than the Warriors, who give up an average of just over 82 yards per game, have allowed in any single contest this season.

With a 14-7 lead and the No. 1 Class L (according to CIAC.org) team backed into a corner, Farmington was right where it wanted to be minutes before halftime. Then the winds changed and Windsor rattled off 27 unanswered points.

The teams went into the locker rooms at the half with the scored tied at 14 thanks to a 10-yard touchdown pass from Windsor quarterback Quinn Fleeting to Tres Coyle. But momentum swung in favor of Windsor midway through the third quarter.

Aaron Berardino, who was held to zero receptions by a stingy Farmington defense, picked off an errant Logan pass and took it 40 yards for a touchdown. Farmington never recovered.

"We stopped them on their first drive in the second half, and then we had that mis-communication and they ran it back for a short interception return," said Farmington coach Chris Machol of the play that changed the game.

"We felt like we had what we wanted offensively, we felt like we could drive, so I think that [interception return]... really swung the momentum and their guys started getting off the ball a little quicker," Machol added.

Berardino's play was just one of the few key adjustments Windsor coach Rob Fleeting and his staff made during halftime.

When Farmington would line up in trips formation, Berardino, playing safety on defense, should stay shallow and watch and follow the tight end, the junior said Fleeting told him.

Following his coach's instructions, "I was right there to make the interception and take it back to the house," said Berardino.

Berardino's play was the first of several for the Windsor defense, which intercepted Logan three times (twice for touchdowns) and caused a safety after a botched Farmington snap when attempting to punt backed up in their own territory.

Windsor linebacker Kamahl Valentine picked off Logan twice, and scored on his second interception — an 85-yard return.

Windsor scored four times in the second half, and three of those scores came on defense.

Windsor (7-0, 4-0) held Farmington scoreless in the final 31 minutes of play, thanks mainly to adjustments made to the defensive line.

"We put in another big guy [on the line]," said Fleeting.

"Our bigger guys are our younger guys, and they're not too experienced with maintaining their gaps, but today we had to throw them in there because we... had to get more weight in there and stop being moved around so much."

Farmington running back Adam Buono has run hard all season, and he took advantage of the large holes his offensive line created in the first half, rushing for 52 yards on 12 carries.

The adjustment made to Windsor's line hampered the Indians' rushing attack, however, and Buono gained just 20 more yards in the final two quarters.

The other big change on Windsor's part was their offensive play calling. Having averaged 263 passing yards per game, Windsor entered the contest trying to do what has worked so well for them: passing the ball.

But with six defenders in pass coverage and Berardino in double and triple coverage all night, it was difficult to do, so Fleeting resorted to the run game, which hasn't been particularly successful for the Warriors.

Friday night, however was different. Senior running back Tres Coyle powered his way to 110 yards on 11 carries, which kept the ball in Windsor's helped Windsor move the chains.

Coyle's efforts kept Windsor afloat, as they helped diminish Farmington's chances at scoring.

Farmington will head to Middletown next Friday, while Windsor will host Maloney.