Merrimack football downs Dover, showcases complete attack

MERRIMACK - A lot of the Division I high school football talk has focused on Bedford, Exeter and most contending clubs in the South Conference. While it's certainly not being overlooked, the Merrimack High School football team is somewhat lost in that line of contenders.

The Tomahawks made their case for more attention again on Friday night, as their offense and defense were hitting on all cylinders in a 49-21 win over Dover. Merrimack scored the first three touchdowns of the game and added another 28 unanswered points at one point in the second half to all but cruise to 2-0 on the year.

"It was an emotional game for us," Merrimack assistant coach Joe Goodridge said. The Tomahawks held a pre-game ceremony for late Merrimack alum Alec Bronchuk, who tragically passed away in a kayaking accident in June. "The kids played for each other. It's what we love to see."

It was quite the all-around effort for the Tomahawks, who were effective through the air and on the ground offensively, while their defense forced four turnovers, including four interceptions.

Merrimack did not go without mistakes on offense, but they were outweighed by the shining moments and plenty of production. Merrimack ran out to its 21-0 lead with a rushing and receiving touchdown from Jared Dyer while Devin Wood posted a 32-yard touchdown reception.

"This is the best our offense has looked in a couple years," said Dyer, who has been a varsity player for Merrimack since his sophomore year. "It's the best offensive line in a few years and maybe in the state if you look around. Guys are running hard, the line is working and James (Dowling) is doing his job. Can't ask for more."

Dowling is Merrimack's second-year starting quarterback and maybe the most improved piece to its offense. The senior threw for 252 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He and Wood (111 yards receiving) connected on three completions of 30 yards or more and had a 37-yard touchdown reception called back on a penalty.

"I think the circumstances had him a little hyped up," Goodridge said. "He might've tried a little too hard at times, but he is a heck of a quarterback. I'd want him on my team."

The Tomahawks were equally effective on the ground as Zach Twardosky posted 110 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Jake Bunis also scored on the ground to cap Merrimack's scoring and their second stretch of 28 unanswered points.

"Merrimack is a very good football team," first-year Dover coach Eric Cumba said. "With a couple players that they have, they're always in a good position. They're built to weather the storm when things start to go downhill for them."

The perseverance Cumba referred to came late in the second quarter when Dover (1-1) scored twice in 18 seconds to turn a three-touchdown deficit into a 21-14 ballgame. A Domenic Sprague touchdown and a 37-yard pick-six from Gabe Rubio made up the quick swing for the Green Wave.

However, Twardosky scored his first touchdown of the game after Dover's comeback and before halftime to neutralize any momentum the Green Wave generated. Nothing good came after the break for Dover, which turned the ball over on three of its first four drives in the second half and punted on the other.

"We moved the ball OK and made some plays here and there, but they always seemed to make a play on second-and-7 that put us at third-and-11," Cumba said. "We couldn't stay on schedule after cutting the lead in half and that really is a credit to them. Our young team has to learn to compete and capitalize."

Dylan Sadowski and Cody Keefe led a suffocating defensive front for Merrimack that held Dover to 71 yards rushing as a team. Sadowski posted a pair of sacks and Keefe had one.

Wood ended up being a thorn in Dover's side on both sides of the ball as he added two interceptions to his big receiving game.

"He's a very athletic guy for them on the outside," Cumba said of Wood. "One of those picks was one-handed after we threw behind a receiver. For him to adjust like that on a play is real nice. He's the kid of kid that makes the play when the opportunity is presented to him."

The win was a great building block for the Tomahawks but an even better tribute to Bronchuk.

"Alec was a big part of me growing up," Dyer said. "I played with him when I was 8. He taught me to be selfless and was a real brother to me. I think we were all so happy to go out and get it for him."