Pee Wee Cardinals vs. Hooksett Hurricanes

By Natalie Lelievre

After Saturday night’s rain and thunderstorm, it was fitting that the Merrimack Cardinals Pee Wee team met up with the Hooksett Hurricanes at Veterans Field this week.

The second game of the 2012 season started with Hooksett kicking and Merrimack receiving the ball. As in the previous game, Merrimack did not take long to get the game started. Matt Smith ran the ball in for a Cardinals’ touchdown followed by a quick run across the line for the additional point. The
action continued with the defense holding the Hurricanes back with some tremendous tackles by Tyrance Hicks, Terrell Hicks, Matt Smith, Justin Barry, and Robert Defelice. Jacob Myers, with 3:55 on the clock in the first, ran in Merrimack’s second touchdown of the quarter. Tyrance Hicks kicked the ball
through the goal posts for the two point conversion. Hooksett took possession of the ball and a superb tackle was made by Ryan Devanna. On the next play, the Hurricanes made significant progress with a completed pass and run that was stopped by Tristan Wood and Matt Smith. A valiant effort was not enough to stop a Hooksett touchdown with just over a minute left on the clock. A failed attempt for the additional two points gave the ball back to Merrimack with less than a minute left. The kick was caught by Terrell Hicks who then ran it for a 60 yard touchdown. Merrimack attempted another two point kick, but this one missed its target. The final Hooksett possession of the quarter was contained with tackles by Robert Defelice, Jacob Myers, and Quinton Gaudet.

The second quarter began with both teams fighting head to head. Hooksett was denied advancement by imposing tackles by Dennis Fisette, Devin Screech, Colton Lelievre, Brian Genet and Tyrance Hicks. Half way through the quarter, Matt Smith ran the ball in for a touchdown. Merrimack’s attempt to run for the additional point was stopped. Merrimack kicked the ball, but with a Hooksett touch and bounce, Merrimack’s Tristan Wood recovered the ball. Jared Dyer ran the ball for this quarter’s second touchdown and Brendan Parr carried it for the additional point. The first half ended with Merrimack 35and Hooksett 6.

The overcast skies that had kept the players and spectators comfortable cleared. The rising temperature and summerlike sun arrived in time for the second half of the game. Though there were outstanding tackles made by Brian Genet, Dennis Fisette, Tristan Wood, Jared Dyer, Nathan Kennedy, Ryan Devanna, Jacob Newman, Caden Shvanda, Matt Smith and Justin Barry, the second half was evenly contested and remained scoreless. The final score was Merrimack 35 and Hooksett 6. The Merrimack Cardinals won their second game of the season, giving them a 2-0-0 record.