WINDHAM, N.H. – Only a unique ending seemed fitting for a unique night of football.
With just over 10 seconds left, a fumble recovery in the end zone provided the difference in a 28-21 Windham victory over Manchester Central on Friday night.
That fumble was recovered by Mason Belsky, who came up with the ball after a mad scrum followed Windham running back Bobby DiCicco lost the ball at Central’s seven-yard line.
For a moment it appeared that Central may have gotten possession of the ball, which would have marked their third forced fumble of the half, with Raheem Dukes Jr. returning one of those fumbles back for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Friday marked the only time this year Windham will hold a night home football game, which was done for Project Blackout, an effort in honor of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
That, combined with the fact that this marked Belsky’s first varsity touchdown and the close-fought battle between the two teams made the moment particularly poignant for Belsky.
“It was coming down to the wire, Manchester’s a great team, they were making great plays all night long, just some great athletes over there,” he said. “This is what Friday night football is all about.”
Central dominated much of the game, with the Little Green nearly heading into the half with a 14-0 lead thanks to a pair of touchdown passes from Tyler Gilroy to Shawn McGarvey.
The Jaguars managed to take points into the half thanks to Cole Peterson’s 11-yard reception from Rocky Heres.
“At halftime, it was more about complimenting those guys, it’s a corny way to say it, but it sucks that one team had to lose,” said Windham Head Coach Jack Byrne. “(Gilroy) looked like a college quarterback and their receivers were awesome.”
DiCicco brought in a 15-yard run to the tie the game in the third quarter and Heres connected with Joey DaSilva from 43 yards out to the game again after Duke’s touchdown.
Central (1-3) will host undefeated Bedford next Friday at 7:15 p.m.
Here are some other scores from Manchester’s high school teams on Friday.
Boys’ Soccer
Manchester Memorial 1, Exeter 0
Manchester Central 4, Bishop Guertin 1
Milford 9, Manchester West 0
Field Hockey
Hanover 0, Derryfield 0
Football
Bedford 50, Manchester Memorial 14
Girls’ Soccer
Exeter 4, Manchester Memorial 0
Bishop Guertin 3, Manchester Central 1
Coe-Brown Northwood 10, Manchester West 0
Girls’ Volleyball
Bishop Guertin 3, Manchester Central 0
Exeter 3, Manchester Memorial 0
Hanover 3, Manchester West 0
