Tolland Football Rolls Over Weaver

One flash was all it took for Tolland football to erase the memories of last year’s 0-10 record in the season opener against Weaver on Saturday.

Tucker Hewitt took the handoff on the first play from scrimmage, cut to the right and bounced past a horde of Beaver defenders before running untouched for a 71-yard touchdown to help spark a 53-6 Eagles win.

“We’ve been working hard all summer, and for the first play from the line of scrimmage to be a touchdown was incredible,” Tolland quarterback Chris Byam said. “He turned nothing up the middle into a 70-yard gain.”

But Eagles head coach Andy Bourquin was quick to praise Byam for making the correct pre-play call to set up the run.

“That was a hell of a read by Chris Byam,” Bourquin said. “I’m real proud of him for getting us in the right play. And the offensive line did a nice job. That really set the tone for us.”

“[Coach] told me to read the D-line and pick the play that would give us the best gain,” Byam said. “They lined up right up the middle so we ran off-tackle.”

The confidence to call the right play shows just how comfortable the Eagles have become with Borquin’s offense, primarily a run-heavy double wing, but with some passing mixed in, as well.

“Last year was a transition year,” Bourquin said. “I think there were some doubts if this was the best way to do things. We made a real concerted effort not to be one dimensional. We told the kids we’re going to pass the ball. We’re involving more people and when you do that, it gets everyone to focus better.”

The balance was evident throughout the first half, as Bynum threw for two touchdowns, and ran for two more, finishing with a combined 310 yards (165 passing, 150 rushing). Hewitt finished with 177 yards and a touchdown, as he and most of Tolland’s starters took a seat later in the game.

“We came out here today and said we have to make the non-believers believers,” Hewitt said.

Weaver scored its lone touchdown at 6:11 in the second quarter when Dajonne Rock hit Jaquan Forde for 24-yards. The two point pass-attempt failed, making it 21-6 Tolland.

Weaver was able to move the ball, putting Rock (21-of-39, 211 yards) in the shotgun the majority of the game and stretching the field in a spread formation. But the senior threw two picks and was hurt by several drops.

“It really wasn’t easy,” Bourquin said. “They moved the ball on us but we stopped them in red zone. They exposed a lot of our coverages.”

After the game, Bourquin told his team not to forget what they went through last year.

“We were in the same circumstance that Weaver was,” he said. The Beavers had their share of struggles last year as well, finishing 1-10. “We have to be gentlemen and be understanding and respectful.”

While it’s close to a calendar year ago, the Eagles can point to last year’s Thanksgiving game as a turning point. Tolland lost 34-32 to E.O. Smith, but erased a 21-0 first half deficit before giving up a late touchdown.

“It definitely fueled us for this year,” said Byam, who sat out the game with a concussion. “I know it feels good [for my teammates]. They feel like they earned the win we should have had last year today.”

Tolland (1-0) hosts Plainville (0-1) Saturday at 1 p.m.