Defense continues to shine for Windham football in win over Concord

WINDHAM – All week, Concord High School football coach James Corkum tried to figure out a game plan to counter the defensive line duo that Windham possessed in Robert Durkin and Brooks Batson.

Following Saturday’s game, Corkum made a point to shake their hands and he told them they are "game wreckers."

While Batson dominated the middle from his tackle position, Durkin harassed the Crimson Tide for three sacks and an interception to lead Windham’s stifling defense in a 13-7 Division I victory.

“They’re incredibly disruptive and we knew that coming into the game,” Corkum said. “They’ve shown that all season and you have to put some extra resources in stopping them and we couldn’t. They took us out of anything we were trying to do.”

Windham (6-1 in D1, 6-2 overall, No. 7 in the New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center/NHHSSports Coaches Poll) limited D1 leading rusher Colin Savard to 67 yards on 21 carries after Savard averaged over 160 yards a game entering Saturday. He scored Concord’s lone touchdown from 1-yard out on the next play following a blocked punt that trimmed Windham’s lead to 13-7 with two minutes left in the second quarter.

“We’ve definitely got some guys who can run on the d-line.”  Windham first-year coach Matt Lee said. “We don’t have the prototypical size but they're fast. They aren’t the biggest, but they’re strong and physical.”

Windham’s defense has dominated during its six-game winning streak by allowing only 21 points while pitching three shutouts.

“Coach Lee came in and he’s a great defensive mind,” Durkin said. “He sets us up and puts us in the best position possible every week and we trust all of our guys. We’ve got 11 guys who play hard and treat every single play like it’s their last. We are all game wreckers.”

Windham’s offense struggled the majority of the day, but quarterback Adrian Bergman rushed for a pair of 2-yard touchdown keepers in the span of 1:55 during the second quarter. Bergman’s first score came after Windham’s other quarterback, Jackson Wright, completed three passes on the drive.

After Savard was stuffed for a 6-yard loss on the ensuing play, Concord quarterback Rhys Craigue’s pass was deflected at the line into Durkin’s arms for an interception at Concord’s 7-yard line. Bergman’s next touchdown gave Windham a 13-0 lead with 5:38 left in the second.

“I always trust the guys on offense, but it’s always great when we can get them back the ball quick,” Durkin said.

Concord (3-4, 3-5) threatened a bit late in the third quarter when it reached Winham’s 33. On third-and-6, Durkin and Batson combined to stop Savard for a 9-yard loss off a toss.

“(Durkin) is tough off the edge and batted a couple of balls down and it seemed like every time we needed a play he would make it,” Lee said. “You need your best players to make big plays and he made a ton of them.”

Windham’s victory was sealed when Joseph Estrella, Jr., intercepted Craigue late in regulation.

“Coming into this game we weren’t sure how it was going to come out, but deep down we had faith that our defense and our offense would play their hearts out,” Batson said. “There isn’t a single person on this defense who is scared to go out and hit.”