FHS Gridders Reach 5-0 for First Time in 12 Years

FARMINGTON – The swagger is back after an extended absence.

For the first time since going to the only state championship game in school history a dozen years ago, the Farmington High football team has steered through its first five games without a loss after drubbing Fermi-Enfield, 41-0, in a CCC Division II crossover contest.

None of the Indians’ first five foes have come within 10 points. Coach Chris Machol felt that if his team progressed as he felt it could, 5-0 was within its reach. They’ll reach for the six-pack Friday night at Muzzy Field against Bristol Eastern.

“Before the season, we looked at four games we thought were winnable,” Machol said.

“We looked at Windsor [undefeated, ranked 7^th in Conn. Sports Writers’ Alliance poll] as being its own thing. They’ll be a tough out.

“We needed to make sure we won two or three against Maloney, Bristol Eastern, Middletown and Plainville. The rest of the games looked like games we should win, but nothing’s certain.”

Farmington rolled past Maloney in its home opener Sept. 23. Eastern, he said, will provide stern competition. Middletown suffered its first loss Saturday at Hall and Plainville, being a rivalry game on Thanksgiving morning, looms as a tussle with playoff berths apt to be on the line.

Other wins have come against E.O. Smith, RHAM and Bristol Central.

Fermi was simply outmanned against Farmington.

“We didn’t do anything new,” Machol said. “We had a very slow start last week against RHAM so we went back to basics – have fun and play with enthusiasm. The kids did that.”

Six different players scored against Fermi, four of them on touchdown passes from Brian Logan. Logan went 5-for-6 for 116 yards.

Max Spracklin snagged the first one followed by Kenny Jones, Robert Turnbull and Brendan Lane. Adam Buono and James Donald had rushing touchdowns. Placekicker Steve Davids went 5-for-6 on his PATs.

Nine different Indians carried the ball and amassed 242 yards on 32 tries behind their strong offensive line. Matt LeBlanc anchors the group at center and Thomas Stevens and Jo Fillian are the tackles. Branden Marquis, who doubles as nose guard on defense, is at left guard. The right guard slot is a three-man committee – Anthony Griner, Jo Butler and Vignesh Kumar.

“We have seven guys there we can trust and that’s nice,” Machol said.

The Indians endured five losing seasons from 2005-09 until Machol guided them to a 6-4 mark last year – his second after replacing Bruce Wearne.

Farmington 41, Fermi 0

Fermi (0-5) 0 0 0 0 – 0

Farmington (5-0) 28 6 0 7 – 41

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

Farm – Max Spracklin 39 pass from Brian Logan (Steve Davids kick), 8:39

Farm – Adam Buono 30 run (Davids kick), 7:03

Farm – Kenny Jones 27 pass from Logan (Davids kick), 4:56

Farm – Robert Turnbull 24 pass from Logan (Davids kick), 2:24

Second Quarter

Farm – Brendan Lane 22 pass from Logan (kick failed), 9:27

Fourth Quarter

Farm – James Donald 15 run (Davids kick), 3:11