ROCKVILLE - The Guilford High football team used a strong second half and four touchdowns from junior running back Shane Connelly to defeat host Rockville 38-6 on Friday night and improve to 2-0.
The first half started slowly, with the first points coming with 1:30 remaining in the second quarter. A bad long snap on a Rockville punt attempt sent the ball out of the end zone for a safety.
Guilford found the end zone shortly afterward when Connelly scored on a 1-yard run, and the Grizzlies took a 9-0 lead into halftime before erupting for 29 points in the final two quarters.
Guilford received the second-half kickoff and picked up where it left off. Sophomore quarterback Ryan Lynch found senior wide receiver Reed Hovick for a 25-yard touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion that extended the lead to 17-0.
It was the only Guilford touchdown not scored by Connelly, who scored on a 10-yard rush after an interception by senior Hyde Jacobson, opened the fourth quarter with a 43-yard touchdown run and capped the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown scamper midway through the final quarter.
Connelly credited his offensive line for his performance.
"The O-line was great. There were huge holes I could hit. Passing opened up a lot of great runs," Connelly said. "It was a great overall effort, and I couldn't have done it without the linemen."
Guilford's defense was also stellar, making multiple fourth-down stops in its own territory and keeping the Rams scoreless for most of the game.
Sophomore linebacker Sam Edwards grabbed an interception in the first quarter, and senior Jackson Hamm recovered a fumble in the fourth.
Rockville got on the board late on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Luca Houle to Keith Schmidt.
"I think defensively, we did a lot right. I think early on, we didn't get off the bus. It kind of took us a little while to warm up," Guilford coach Brian White said.
White credited Rockville for making the game difficult early on.
"I've got to give credit to Rockville. They have some talented players, so they definitely tested us early on," he said.
Guilford will host Xavier next Friday at 6:30 p.m. Rockville will host Granby Memorial/Canton that night at 7 p.m.
Player of the Game
Shane Connelly, Guilford: The junior running back ran for four touchdowns, including a 43-yarder for his longest rush of the game.
Quotable
"I think defensively, we did a lot right. I think early on, we didn't get off the bus. It kind of took us a little while to warm up." - Guilford coach Brian White.
Guilford 38, Rockville 6
GUILFORD 0 9 15 14-38ROCKVILLE 0 0 0 6-6G-Safety, bad punt snap out of end zoneG-Shane Connelly 1 run (Owen Andrews kick)G-Reed Hovick 25 pass from Ryan Lynch (run good)G-Connelly 10 run (Andrews kick)G-Connelly 43 run (Andrews kick)G-Connelly 12 run (Andrews kick)R-Keith Schmidt 11 pass from Luca Houle (kick failed)Team records: Guilford 2-0; Rockville 1-1.
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