From June 15, 2007 Rivereast Bulletin
Receives top athletic award ... Ben Schadtle was named Male Athlete of the Year at the RHAM High School Sports Banquet on Thursday, June 7. Ben was a varsity baseball player and was named Most Valuable Player for football and basketball this past season. A senior, he will graduate next week and attend Dean College in Franklin, MA. He will play wide receiver for the Dean Bulldogs football team this fall.
From November 25th 2005 www.courant.com
Nutmeg
St. Paul-Bristol 46, RHAM-Hebron 12: Brent Seaver gained 26 yards on 24 carries and scored two TDs and Demytruk Usher rushed for 86 yards and three TDs as St. Paul (5-5) defeated host RHAM (3-7).
RHAM quarterback Tyler Ware threw for 150 yards.
Rocky Hill 41, Vinal Tech-Middletown 16: Greg Lappen scored on a 12-yard run and a 48-yard interception return and also recovered a fumble to lead playoff-bound Rocky Hill (9-1) over visiting Vinal Tech (0-10).
Rocky Hill's Doug Elliot threw for one TD and rushed for another.
From November 12th 2005 www.courant.com
RHAM-Hebron 36, Vinal Tech-Middletown 26: Ben Schadtle gained 228 yards and scored two touchdowns on 28 carries as RHAM (3-6) defeated Vinal (0-9) in Middletown.
RHAM's Joe Kearns scored on a 29-yard run and a 3-yard pass reception from John Gonzalvez.
Vinal's Ozzie Hill caught a 28-yard TD pass from Kevin Doherty and scored on a 1-yard run, and Manny Allen gained 145 yards and scored once on 18 carries.
From November 6th 2005 www.courant.com
Avon 28, RHAM-Hebron 13: Ben Ewbank and John Rowley each scored two touchdowns as Avon (2-6) defeated RHAM (2-6) in Avon.
Rowley scored on runs of 3 and 30 yards and finished with 189 yards rushing on 24 carries. Ewbank scored on runs of 5 and 12 yards and finished with 134 yards on 23 carries.
Khalil Lane scored on a 15-yard pass from Tyler Ware to give RHAM an early 7-0 lead, and Joe Keams made a 97-yard fumble recovery to make it 14-13 in the third.
From October 30th 2005 www.courant.com
Rocky Hill 31, RHAM-Hebron 7: Mark Fritz and Greg Lappen each scored two touchdowns as host Rocky Hill (6-1) defeated RHAM (2-5).
RHAM's late prayers are answered
By: JI Staff, Journal Inquirer October 24, 2005
MARLBOROUGH - East Catholic-Cheney Tech appeared to be on its way to a win, but it was the RHAM football team that had its prayers answered Saturday.
Tyler Ware's "Hail Mary" pass went to Tyler Hopson for a 74-yard score with 0:04 left as the Sachems stunned the Eagles 26-21 in a Nutmeg League game Saturday. East Catholic (3-3 overall, 2-3 Nutmeg) took a 21-20 lead in the third quarter. Jordan Evans, who caught a pair of first-half TD passes from Nico DeNovellis, notched his third score on an 11-yard run and Mike McCormack added the tiebreaking extra point.
The Eagles had the ball with 2:40 left but failed to convert a fourth down, giving RHAM (2-4, 2-3) possession at its own 26-yard line with 0:15 remaining. "We went five wide (receivers) and told everyone to go deep," RHAM coach Pete Calin said. "Tyler Ware found Tyler Hopson on the left side and he outran the defender and scored. It was just a pretty play.
"Why did it work? I'm not sure. I heard the East Catholic coaches saying 'Stay back. Stay back.' But looking at the film, Tyler Hopson beat his defender by two or three yards and Tyler Ware put the ball right there, perfectly, and Hopson never broke stride." For the Sachems, it was the biggest win in their two years as a varsity program.
"No question about it," Calin said. "Bill Baccaro does a great job at East. They're a good team and to beat them is a step in the right direction for us. "From Day One, we've preached that no matter how much or how little time there is you have to fight to the very end. You have to give yourself the opportunities to make something happen. This week we talked about patience, not getting too high or too low, and focusing on the next play. "Now we have to carry this over to next week." Ware completed 12-of-22 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns.
"This was the kind of game we've been expecting him to play all year," Calin said. "Tyler bought into what we were preaching this week, and that was patience. He took what the defense gave him." Hopson caught four passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Khalil Lane had four receptions for 70 yards and a score. Ben Schadtle scored RHAM's first touchdown on a 30-yard run.
Defensively, end Hunter Finnance - coming back after missing a game with a wrist injury - and linebacker Frank Conaci were standouts.
RHAM visits Rocky Hill Saturday night. East Catholic is also back in action Saturday night as it goes on the road to play Vinal Tech-Coginchaug.
1st| 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | RHAM (2-4) | 6 | 8 | 6 | 6 | - 26 | East Catholic (3-3) | 0 | 14 | 7 | 0 | - 21 | |
R - Ben Schadtle 30 run (Kick failed).
EC - Jordan Evans 11 pass from Nico DeNovellis (Mike McCormack kick).
EC - Evans 29 pass from DeNovellis (McCormack kick).
R - Khalil Lane 31 pass from Tyler Ware (Ware run).
R - Tyler Hopson 23 pass from Ware (Kick failed).
EC - Evans 8 run (McCormack kick).
R - Hopson 74 pass from Ware (Run failed).
Andover - RHAM-Hebron 26, East Catholic-Manchester 21: Tyler Hopson scored on a 74-yard pass from Tyler Ware with 3.9 seconds to play as RHAM (2-4) defeated visiting East Catholic (3-3).
Hopson (109 yards, four catches) also caught a 23-yard TD pass in the third quarter. Ware finished 12 for 22 for 240 yards and three TDs. Khalil Lane made four catches for 70 yards and one TD for RHAM, which stopped East Catholic twice inside the 10.
FARMINGTON - A strained hamstring might have slowed Ben Schadtle up a bit, but try telling that to the Farmington High football team.
Schadtle scored two touchdowns and forced one fumble as RHAM earned a 19-7 Northwest Conference victory Friday night. "Ben had a strained hamstring but he played both ways the whole game,'' RHAM coach Pete Calin said. "We implemented a three-pronged rushing attack and we had three guys rush for good yardage.
Schadtle scored one touchdown in the second quarter and another in the third quarter as the Sachems (1-2) took a 12-0 lead. Farmington (0-3) made it 12-7 before Khalil Lane had a 12-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to ice the game for the Sachems. Schadtle and quarterback Tyler Ware each rushed for more than 60 yards. Schadtle led the way with 104 yards on 13 carries. Ware passed for 72 yards. Ryan Kane and Frank Conaci forced fumbles for the Sachems.
RHAM will be idle until an Oct. 8 home game against Northwest Catholic.
1st| 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | RHAM (1-2) | 0 | 6 | 6 | 7 | - 19 | FARMINGTON (0-3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | - 7 | |
From September 15, 2005 Hartford Courant
RHAM (Hebron)
Coach: Pete Calin
2004: 3-6, 3-7
Top players: WR/DB Khalil Lane, sr. 5-11, 183; OT/DT Mike Allison, sr. 6-5, 312; QB/SS Tyler Ware, sr. 6-2, 200; C/LB Tom Fritch, sr. 6-0, 225; RB/DB Ben Schadtle, jr, 6-2, 190; TE/DE Hunter Finnance, sr. 6-3, 227; WR/DB Jeff Keurian, sr. 6-1, 190.
Outlook: Second-year varsity program returns most of its starters. Should again be able to score points, but must tighten up defense that allowed 33 points a game. If that occurs, team could be in contention for league title.
RHAM finishes season on winning note
By: Matt Buckler, Journal Inquirer November 29, 2004
BRISTOL - RHAM High football coach Pete Calin says you can't build steel without some fire.
The flames were at three-alarm intensity at Muzzy Field here Saturday as RHAM ended its season with an emphatic 34-14 meltdown over St. Paul-Goodwin Tech. RHAM ends the season with a 3-7 record, having won two of its last three games.
"We definitely came ready to play," Calin said. Most of the RHAM smoke bombs were set off during the first 20 minutes of the game as the Sachems sizzled its way to a quick 27-0 lead.
First RHAM proved it could run, with tailback Ben Schadtle scoring two quick touchdowns on runs of one and 40 yards. His 40-yarder was a masterpiece as he broke a tackle in the backfield, improvised and found some running room outside, and sprinted down the sidelines for a score. "I just stiff-armed the first guy and found some room," Schadtle said. "Then a second guy tried to go for my legs and I just jumped over him. I really like to pick my way through the hole. I don't usually go where the hole is supposed to be."
With the running game firmly established, RHAM proved it could throw. Quarterback Tyler Ware had plenty of open receivers from which to choose, ranging from the slant routes of tight end Hunter Finnance to the deep routes of flanker Corey Harrison. Hunter snared a 28-yard pass from Ware and then Harrison corralled a 36-yard toss from Ware to extend RHAM's lead to a startling 27-0 with 4:36 left in the first half.
St. Paul, 0-10, never recovered.
"All we did was practice, practice, practice," Ware said. "We wanted to establish a lot of things at the beginning of the game, and I think we did. Ben did a great job running early and the line did a great job blocking." Ware's third touchdown pass of the game, a 26-yarder to Harrison, rounded out the RHAM scoring.
The stats were impressive. Ware finished the game with 13 completions in 23 attempts for 193 yards. Harrison hauled in three passes for 80 yards, while Finnance swallowed up four passes for 70 yards.
Schadtle rushed for 146 yards in 17 carries.
But Calin was more impressed with his defense. Although it did surrender 286 yards, most of St. Paul's offense was generated after the game's outcome was decided.
"We've had trouble with our defense all season, but we did a great job tonight," Calin said. "I told the seniors this was going to be their last time ever on the field, let's have no regrets. And the kids really played hard." One look at the turnover column proves it. RHAM forced five turnovers - interceptions by Jeff Keurian, Ryan Kisner, and Schadtle and fumble recoveries by Kisner and Mike Allison. Kisner, a senior linebacker playing his final game, was especially aggressive.
"We wanted to do a lot of blitzing tonight," Kisner said. "Our defensive backs were able to lock up on their receivers and that allowed us to really rush the quarterback. St. Paul did some things later in the game, but overall, I think we succeeded."
RHAM also blocked a punt, by Ware, of all people, who was pressed into defensive duty Saturday because of an injury to Troy Silva.
"That punt block was a real adrenaline rush," Ware said. "I love defense, but I really don't get to play it that much. So I'm extremely happy."
So were his teammates. St. Paul did score a late first-half touchdown on an 84-yard run from Kenny Bird, who played quarterback (4-for-9 passing, 89 yards) and tailback (18 carries, 153 yards), and a late touchdown on a five-yard pass from Jamel Greenlee to Brent Seaver.
But for the most part, RHAM controlled the festivities. "It was a great way to send off our seniors," Calin said. "We were hoping for a few more wins this year, but we do have a lot of kids coming back. We were definitely looking for something positive to take into next year, and I think we did."
Not to mention 48 minutes worth of flame-broiled success.
RHAM (3-7) 13 14 7 0 - 34
ST. PAUL(0-10) 0 0 0 6 - 14
R - Ben Schadtle 1 run (Lyle Govoni kick).
R- Schadtle 40 run (kick failed).
R - Hunter Finnance 28 pass from Wate (Schadtle run).
R - Corey Harrison 36 pass from Ware (kick failed).
SP - Kenny Byrd 84 run (Brent Seaver pass from Jamal Greenlee).
R -Harrison 26 pass from Ware (Govoni kick).
SP - Seaver 5 pass from Greenlee (pass failed).
| RHS | SP-GT | |
| Offensive plays | 47 | 47 |
| First downs | 9 | 13 |
| Rushes-yards | 22-133 | 29-161 |
| Passes | 13-25-0 | 9-18-3 |
| Passing yards | 195 | 125 |
| Total yards | 328 | 286 |
| Punts-avg. | 2-40.0 | 5-24.8 |
| Fumbles-lost | 1-1 | 3-2 |
| Penalties-yards | 6-48 | 8-75 |
RUSHING -
PASSING -
RECEIVING -
RHAM gridders finish with victory
Willimantic Chronicle (11/29/2004)
BRISTOL - Ben Schadtle rushed for a pair of first-quarter touchdowns as RHAM High ended its first varsity season of football on a winning note with a 34-14 Nutmeg Conference victory over St. Paul/Goodwin Tech at Muzzy Field on Saturday night.
Schadtle (17 carries, 152 yards) scored on runs of two and 41yards, respectively, for the Sachems (3-7 overall, 2-6 Nutmeg) to build a 13-0 first-quarter lead.
RHAM would add to the lead in the second quarter as Tyler Ware (13-for-22, 192 yards) hooked up with Hunter Finnance (4 receptions, 71 yards) on a 29-yard TD pass reception and later found Corey Harrison on a 36-yard pass play to open up a 27-0 lead.
The defense had a hand in the action by recovering a fumble and blocking a Falcons’ punt to help set up the second-quarter scores.
Harrison (3 receptions, 80 yards) wrapped up the scoring for the Sachems on a 27-yard pass play from Ware in the third quarter.
Kenny Byrd (15 carries, 142 yards) scored on an 84-yard TD run for the Falcons (0-10, 0-8) while Brent Seaver scored on a 5-yard pass play from Jamel Greenlee.
Editor’s Note: Information provided by league representatives.
Thrilling Win for RHAM
Sachems make late defensive stand to defeat Enfield
By Journal Inquirer Staff (9/29/04)
ENFIELD – The first-ever varsity football win for RHAM of Hebron came in thrilling fashion Saturday.
The RHAM defense made a stop on fourth-and-1 with 1:50 left in the game, then the RHAM offense completed a pass in the waning seconds to help run out the clock and secure a 27-24 victory over Enfield.
“It feels great because a lot of people had expectations that our first win would come much later,” RHAM coach Pete Calin said. “We wanted to prove them wrong.”
Tyler Ware threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Keurian with 4:00 left in the fourth quarter to give the Sachems (1-1) that 27-24 advantage.
Enfield (0-2), however, wouldn’t go away quietly. The Raiders completed a 75 yard pass, but it was called back because of a motion penalty.
On a third and 22, Enfield quarterback Pat Jubrey completed a 21 yard pass to Dominique Lindo. Then came the critical fourth-and-1 play.
“We ran a quick drive up the middle and I thought we got the first down,” Enfield coach Jay Gaucher said. “But they got a favorable spot. We were an inch short.
Carter Boyce and Nick Papadakis made the tackle on the play.
“We had game planned for the formation they called for that play, but they hadn’t run it until that point,” Calin said. “I knew it would be determined by the spot. I was looking at the chains and thought we had it by an inch or two.”
Still, the Sachems had 1:50 of the clock to burn and Enfield had timeouts left.
“I saw their safety playing up close and decided to gamble,” Calin said. “Tyler threw a slant pass to Hunter Finnance for nine yards and we got a big first down.”
Ben Shadtle had 30 carried for 166 yards and two touchdowns for the Sachems. Mike Fitzpatrick had 2 ½ of RHAM’s four sacks. Troy Silva and Nick Chasse also had big defensive games for the Sachems.
“We knew we were going to be in a dog fight,” Goucher said. “They made plays and we didn’t. Their running back has good vision and they tackled better than us.”
Lindo had 87 yards rushing and two touchdown runs for the Raiders. He also had 85 receiving yards. Teammate Rob Reissig had an interception.
“Enfield’s head coach does a great job of game planning,” Calin said. “It was a tough game that came down to two inches.”
RHAM (1-1) 7 7 0 13 - 27
R- Ben Schadtle, 39 run (Lyle Govoni kick)
Enfield (0-2) 0 16 0 8 - 24
E – Dominique Lindo, 15 run (Bob Caplette, pass from Pat Jubrey)
E – Lindo, 28 run (John Nadeau, pass from Jubrey)
R – Schadtle, 14 run (Govoni kick)
R – Troy Silva, 6 run (Kick failed)
E – Jubrey, 1 run (Lindo run)
R – Jeff Keurian, 23 pass from Tyler Ware (Govoni kick)
RHAM Sachems Start Out Hot
September 23, 2003
By STEVEN GOODE, Courant Staff Writer
ANDOVER -- Accompanied by the clank of cowbells and the honk of air horns, RHAM High School ushered in a new era Monday.
More than 300 cheering spectators filled the stands and the sidelines as 32 junior varsity football players took part in the first home football game in the school's history - a 33-0 victory over St. Paul/Goodwin Tech.
It was the Sachems' second win in as many tries, but for proponents of the program, the biggest victory was that the game was being played at all.
"It's been hard. We've been through so many [school] boards," said Mary Schadtle, treasurer of the RHAM Football Boosters Club. "I got so tired of telling the same story over and over again."
The story that Schadtle and other football supporters have been telling RHAM boards since the late 1980s is that the regional school district - which draws students from Hebron, Andover and Marlborough - needed to offer football for youngsters who had played in the local youth league and wanted to continue.
"A lot of people didn't think there were enough kids. Soccer was huge," Schadtle said. "But we did surveys and we had a lot of fund-raisers. And when we got to $30,000, it showed them that we were serious."
The boosters' cause was helped this year by a commitment from Hebron resident Matt Daly, who pledged $30,000 toward the program over the next two years. The money, along with about $4,000 from the Hebron Lions Club, will help pay for the startup of the varsity program next fall.
The donations also helped avoid having football become a victim of budget cuts in a year that has seen the school district's spending plan rejected six times at referendum. Schadtle said she was grateful that the school board stood by its decision to implement the program.
"And they kept the commitment from another board," said Schadtle, who got an added thrill as she tossed the first coin at the beginning of the game to determine who would kick off.
Schadtle said the job is not done yet, though.
"We still have fund-raising to do with another team coming next year," she said. "We want to help. We're not just going to say `Thank you very much' and walk away."
Tom Hanley, a RHAM board member from Marlborough, called the decision a leap of faith for the board and parents to finally move forward with the program after about 45 years without it.
"But some things are worth waiting for. I just feel bad for the kids who missed out," he said.
Longtime Hebron resident Nelson Moore said he did not expect the school to add the sport after going so many years without it, but added that he was pleased with the decision.
"It's good for the community and good for the school," he said.
And with cheerleaders chanting, youngsters playing pickup football behind the stands and proud parents, siblings and students looking on, a smiling Daly surveyed the scene around him.
"This is Americana at its best. The people of this area love this game and have been looking forward to today for years. I'm just proud to be a part of it," he said. "This is the first day of forever."