TORRINGTON – Torrington High School football team got the start it was looking for, but it quickly went in the wrong direction for the Blazers in a 35-13 loss to the Lander Valley Tigers on Friday evening at Wiseman Field.
On the opening drive, the Torrington offense marched 77 yards in under three minutes, capped off by a 25-yard sprint to the end zone by sophomore running back Trace Floyd.
After the blocked point after, the Blazer defense forced a Tiger punt,
“It was a great way to start the game,” THS coach Russell Stienmetz said. “But right after that, we had the PAT blocked, and it went downhill from there.”
The teams traded possessions for the remainder of the quarter, but late in the quarter, Torrington’s turnover issue reared its ugly head.
With 2:08 left in the first, Torrington fumbled at its own 37-yard line, but on the second play of the second quarter, Lander punched the ball into the end zone.
“We have to clean up those costly turnovers and penalties,” Stienmetz said. “It was better penalty-wise tonight from the last two games.”
It was the first of 35 straight points by the Tigers.
Of the 35 Lander points, 21 came off Torrington turnovers – turnover on downs, fumble and an interception.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Torrington senior quarterback Sam Firminhac connected with senior tight end Jackson Jones for a 17-yard touchdown pass.
Firminhac ended the game 12-of-18 passing for 116 yards and a score, while Floyd rushed for 95 yards on 20 attempts and a score. Jones caught five passes for 51 yards.
The Blazers travel to Douglas on Friday, Oct. 4 for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
“Lander had some speed, but Douglas will have even more,” Stienmetz said. “We are going to do some open-field tackle sessions at practice this week.”
