On the back of running back Rashawn Hendricks, Derby picked up their 500th all-time victory — and first of the season — against Seymour Friday, by a score of 36 – 29.
Hendricks scored three touchdowns for the Red Raiders (1 – 3), including a momentum changer after a quiet third quarter.
When Seymour (0 – 4) shanked a punt late in the third quarter, Derby capitalized on the blunder with a 26-yard run by the senior as time expired. The extra point was blocked.
“It feels great,” Hendricks said of the win. “We gotta give thanks to the line, they did a good job. It’s a real big win.”
Derby head coach George French was elated with the milestone win, which was also the first during his new tenure at Derby.
“The history of Derby altogether. There is a lot of pride in this program and it’s still here. It’s been dormant for a lot of years, but we’re getting it back,” he said. “It’s gonna take time, but we’ll get there.”
French also was ecstatic about achieving the milestone against Seymour, a Valley rival.
“There’s nothing like playing a valley rival. I’ve never played on DeBarber Field. I told [the team] that I never played here,” he said. “Last year they got to see the rivalries again. And here it is. They get to play it again. It is nice playing this rivalry.”
The game began in wild fashion, with both teams taking advantage on special teams. Seymour returned the opening kick when Adam Skirkanich scored after a 74-yard run.
Derby responded immediately when junior Luis Casco ran the next kickoff back — this one for 86 yards.
Seymour made the first real error of the game on the ensuing drive, when the ball was snapped through the end zone for a safety.
Wildcats head coach Tom Lennon elaborated on Seymour’s shortcomings, which ultimately cost them the game.
“I am happy with the intensity level that [Seymour] played with, but we keep making critical mistakes. I feel like a broken record when I say this,” Lennon said. “We find a way to lose games each week, whether it is turnovers, penalties, missed assignments. We just can’t win like that.”
Hendricks padded the Red Raiders’ lead with 3:32 left in the first quarter when he scampered down the right-side of the field for a 55-yard touchdown.
“He did an excellent job today,” French said. “I know he’s gonna be tired tomorrow.”
The Wildcats wouldn’t let the game get out of hand, and senior Damien Granda punched in Seymour’s second score with 6:59 left in the second quarter, making the score 16 – 14.
Derby got on the board again before halftime when Hendricks hit the Wildcats for another big touchdown run, this one from 48 yards down the left side only a minute later. The extra point was no good.
“It’s only week four of everything – a whole new system. These kids are still getting the kinks out. But when we need them to step up […] they made some plays,” French said.
Seymour needed a response late in the second half to stay in the game. Grabowski threw a 31-yard pass to Jim Farrell to the 9‑yard line under a minute left. After a fumble backed them up 10 yards, Grabowski threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Mike Fraser with three seconds left in the half. The two-point conversion was good on a Grabowski pass to Jonathon Wilson to tie the game at the half.
With under two minutes left in the game, Derby scored on a quarterback keeper by Ray Krieger.
Derby got the two point conversion, putting them up by two scores and giving the Wildcats a mountain to climb.
Seymour tried to get back into the game late when Grabowski hit Mike Fraser with a nine-yard touchdown pass with 46 seconds left. The onside kick was no good, and Derby ran out the clock.
The Red Raiders play Watertown next Friday at home. Seymour heads to Dunning Stadium in New Canaan to take on the Rams next Friday.
