Bulldogs are the best

By rbrown
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Updated: November 18, 2018

Defense and a strong running game were the key ingredients in Bedford’s 28-14 victory over Pinkerton in Saturday night’s Division I championship game at the University of New Hampshire’s Wildcat Stadium.

Bedford held Pinketon to 230 yards of offense and rushed for 246 yards in the victory, which improved Bedford’s record to 12-0.

Bedford received 185 yards rushing and a touchdown on 26 carries from senior Ryan Toscano. In addition, tight end/H-back Harrison LeGoullon took snaps from the Wildcat formation and ran for two more TDs.

“Their ability to run the ball,” Pinkerton coach Brian O’Reilly said, when he was asked what impressed him the most about Bedford. “They are power runners and we have got a good defense. We are not a poor defensive team. We could not get them off the field most of the time. I couldn’t tell by watching the film, but now that we’ve matched up they could run the ball on anyone if they wanted to.”

Bedford scored on its first two possessions and led 14-0 at halftime. The Astros (9-3) got two 1-yard touchdown runs from halfback Gannon Fast in the third quarter, but trailed 21-14 entering the final 12 minutes. Both Pinkerton TDs were set up by Bedford fumbles, the first of which came on the second-half kickoff.

Toscano scored the game’s final TD on a 13-yard run with 10:40 remaining in the final quarter.

LeGoullon opened the scoring on a 1-yard run that capped a 15-play, 75-yard drive. Quarterback Thomas Morgan connected with Timothy Greene for a 25-yard TD pass on Bedford’s second possession. That TD was the final play in a 14-play, 99-yard drive.

“We knew all season that (Pinkerton) was going to be the team to beat,” Toscano said. “They’re a great team. That’s a great conference (Division I South). It’s a great game to go out on. I’m really proud of my team.”

Bedford’s other TD came on LeGoullon’s 1-yard run in the third quarter.

Morgan did his part as well by completing 13 of 21 passes for 149 yards. He also ran for 35 yards on 10 attempts.

Defensive end Andrew Twittle led the Bedford defense with 10 tackles. Pinkerton turned the ball over four times (three interceptions).

Gennaro Marra led Pinkerton’s rushing game with 96 yards on 12 carries. Fast, Pinkerton’s leading rusher, was held to 32 yards on 12 attempts.

“They were the better team tonight,” O’Reilly said. “They’re the state champions.”

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