Souhegan rallies for important win at Sanborn
KINGSTON – The only thing stopping the Sanborn offense in the first half was the clock.
Three Indians’ possessions finished in the end zone, with the fourth closing out at halftime.
“We just had to be more physical,” said Sabers’ coach Robin Bowkett, whose team trailed 21-13 at the break. “We made a few adjustments, went back to our base defense and put guys in better spots.
“Guys like Alex Karpawich and Ries Grondstra really stepped it up. We just kept playing, we tackled better and did a better job.”
The uptick in effort gave the Souhegan offense a chance, and the Sabers took the cue brilliantly, rallying for an electric 35-28 decision.
Trailing 28-27 with 6:44 left, QB John Lohnes kick-started things with a 22-yard hookup to Reese Colby. A Lohnes keep for 12 and a Jacob Grassett five-yard plunge were followed by a 12-yarder from Lohnes to Luke Manning, moving the ball inside the 5-yard-line.
Grassett wasted little time, bulling in from 3 for the game-winning score with 3:42 to go, followed by a Lohnes two-point rush.
Asked for one more stop, the Sabers rose to the occasion, stopping the Indians on downs to end it and propel Souhegan back to the .500 mark at 2-2.
“Aside from a (20-yard) intentional grounding call, they weren’t going to stop us all day,” said Bowkett.
“Our guys executed. John Lohnes bought time and our skill guys did a great job making plays.”
Lohnes, the senior, feasted in a monster effort, rolling up 210 yards by completing 15 of 26 passes including TD tosses to Aidan Casey, Manning and Grassett. He also ran 11 times for 71 yards.
Grassett and Trey Johnson (5 carries, 46 yards) had rushing TDs.
Friday night, Souhegan heads home to host rival Milford in a NH Tackles Hunger event.
Both teams are 2-2 in Division II South, right in the thick of the playoff chase.