Spy Ponders Stunned in Home Opener

The Spy Ponders were in control of Saturday's home opener against Burlington, until they weren't.

Arlington High's football team (1-1, 1-0) took a 28-14 lead over its Middlesex League opponent with 4 minutes, 33 seconds remaining in the game, under the lights at Pierce Field.

Then, the floodgates opened.

Aided by three Arlington turnovers, Burlington (1-1, 0-0) scored four touchdowns in the waning minutes to pull off a shocking 43-28 win.

"We got to play better, we got to play better," an almost speechless Spy Ponders coach Dan Hirsch said after the game.

After a short touchdown run by senior captain Mitch Coiley put Arlington on top 28-14, Burlington quarterback Greg Sheridan connected with halfback Marcus Odaih on a 26-yard touchdown four plays later. Then, after a quick Arlington fumble, Odaih, a sophomore, capped a six-play, 31-yard drive with a short touchdown run and caught the gutsy two-point conversion to give Burlington the lead, 29-28, with 1:15 left to play.

On the potential comeback drive, Arlington quarterback Mitch Cummings threw an interception, and Odaih (8 carries, 72 yards) scampered in from 40 yards on the ensuing possession to put Burlington up 36-28. Then, on Arlington's final effort, Cummings threw an interception, which was returned for a touchdown by Burlington linebacker Anthony Cruz to make the final 43-28.

Arlington took control of the game early.

Hirsch called a successful onside kick to open the game, and Cummings connected with tight end Rob Shea for a 23-yard touchdown on the team's first drive.

Burlington's Bill Murphy returned a fumble for a touchdown to tie the game in the first quarter. Burlington then took the lead, 14-7, before Cummings found wide receiver Matt Cummings for a 23-yard touchdown to pull Arlington even at the half.

With the game still tied going into the fourth quarter, Arlington's offense soon found its groove. Running back Michael Clark (15 carries, 72 yards) had a short touchdown run four minutes into the final frame to give Arlington a 21-14 advantage.

Coiley's touchdown was set up by a 35-yard run by sophomore halfback Jayson Witt. A speedy sophomore, Witt (12 carries, 84 yards) showed promise throughout the game, bouncing a number of runs outside for solid gains. However, he did have the fumble that sparked Burlington's offensive onslaught in the fourth quarter.

Arlington faces Wilmington on the road at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Arlington

Passing

Mitch Cummings: 5-16 Comp-Att, 95 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

Rushing

Jayson Witt: 12 carries, 84 yards

Michael Clarke: 15 carries, 72 yards, touchdown

Mitch Coiley: 9 carries, 61 yards, touchdown

Conor Duggan: 1 carry, 22 yards

Mitch Cummings: 4 carries, 18 yards

Receiving

Christian Sleeper: 2 reception, 32 yards

Matt Cummings: 1 reception, 23 yards, touchdown

Rob Shea: 1 reception, 23 yards, touchdown

Matt Dealmeida: 1 reception, 17 yards

Burlington

Passing

Greg Sheridan: 6-13 Comp-Att, 80 yards, 1 interception, touchdown

Rushing

Kyle Sheilds: 17 carries, 86 yards, touchdown

Marcus Odaih: 8 carries, 72 yards, 2 touchdowns

Greg Sheridan: 5 carriers, 34 yards

Daniel McDermott: 1 carry, 9 yards

Receiving

Nick Ciardi: 4 receptions, 58 yards

Marcus Odaih: 2 receptions, 22 yards, touchdown