Goffstown football pulls out thrilling victory over Manchester Central

MANCHESTER - The Goffstown High School football team survived four Manchester Central shots to the end zone, a kick return that was overturned and scored the game-winning touchdown in a 21-18 victory on a play that was drawn up by Grizzlies coach Justin Hufft during a timeout.

With a little under 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Central took control of the ball, trailing 13-12. Senior quarterback Alex Hawkom was able to march the Little Green down the field 78 yards over six minutes. That drive was capped by a touchdown pass from Hawkom to Nick Olibrice to give Central an 18-13 lead.

Goffstown took over on its own 44 yard line, and on the second play of the drive, quarterback Charlie Keith connected with Colby Putnam for 55 yards, putting the ball at a first-and-goal position from the 5-yard line.

On first down, the Grizzlies called a run play for no gain, and after two more runs, the ball got down to the 2-yard line. After the first two plays, Central called a timeout to preserve time for a final drive, but before fourth down, Goffstown ran the clock down to 49 seconds before calling two timeouts of its own.

"That timeout was a very special moment," Keith said. "Coach Hufft introduced a play to me for the first time during that timeout."

During timeout, Hufft drew up a play, a designed QB run with four wide receivers, that was successful for the game-winning touchdown.

"We just wanted to our QB an opportunity to make a play," Hufft said. "Also, our offensive line was able to operate a base play allowing them to do what they do best."

The Little Green were able to drive back down the field. Hawkom connected with Kevin Upton to get the ball to the 18-yard line with enough time for four shots into the end zone. Central's best shot was on third down, on a pass that was actually caught, but the back judge ruled out of bounds. On fourth down, there was a bad snap, but Hawkom was still able to throw up a jump ball that was intercepted by Keith as time expired.

"That was a fun game," Hufft said. "Even at half time I looked around and felt like we were having a good time."

The first half started off well for both teams.

The Little Green defense was mighty on Goffstown’s second possession, stopping them on the 1-yard line. After the goal line stand, Central took the ball for nine plays and drove the full length of the field, capped by a 12-yard TD pass from Hawkom to Sean Kelly. The score happened on the first play of the second quarter.

On the ensuing Grizzlies possession, 56-yard connection between Keith and Sean Leahy gave Goffstown the 7-6 edge.

In the second quarter, Central struggled to stay disciplined. After Goffstown took the lead, the Grizzlies were able to kick off from their own 50-yard line after a Central penalty, and the Grizzlies elected for an onside kick.

With the bounce of the onside kick, Central was able to receive it and return it to the end zone, momentarily thinking it retook the lead. But a block in the back penalty when the runner had already separated himself from the pack led to the return being called back and Putnam intercepted a Hawkom pass three plays later.

After a Central defensive stand, the Little Green commenced a good drive, including a fake punt, but Goffstown’s Brad Baxter was able to intercept Hawkom putting the Grizzlies in excellent field position starting at Central’s 17-yard line.

A 16-yard run by Jack Stinnett set up his own 1-yard TD run, pushing the score to 13-6. Goffstown failed its two-point conversion attempt in an effort to make it a two-score game heading towards the half.

Rounding out the scoring was a 1-yard TD run by Central’s Cooper Varano, which made the game 13-12 before all of the fourth-quarter drama unfolded.