DERRY, N.H. — Jamie Isaac, playing on a torn tendon in his ankle, had a simple message for his Pinkerton Academy football team on Friday night.
“We needed a win,” said Isaac with a smile. “We needed a win bad, and if we got this, I think it’s going to be a snowball effect. We’re just going to keep rolling.”
The Astros were certainly rolling on Friday.
With Isaac back in the lineup after missing two games, Pinkerton rode a dominant rushing attack and an absolutely smothering defense to a decisive 41-6 victory over Manchester Central.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak for the Astros (5-2).
“We just had to do our jobs and get a win,” said Isaac. “We knew Manchester Central was going to be tough, even though they were winless. We hated the feeling of losing. We had to lock in. We don’t worry about the rankings, but we see them, so we wanted to show that we’re still here.”
It was Isaac that gave the Astros the lead, catching a pass from Aiden McDonald in the flat and taking it in for a 9-yard touchdown on the game’s opening drive.
“It felt really good after being out the last two weeks,” said Isaac. “I tore a tendon in my ankle, but the doctors said it didn’t really matter. I don’t know. But I feel good right now. It was frustrating being out. Seeing my brothers out there battling and struggling without me hurt. So to be out there with them, and to score a touchdown felt good.”
It was a quick day for Isaac (7 carries, 26 yards), because — even without fellow top back Matt Morrison, who was sidelined with a finger injury — the Astros were in full control.
Joe Osanya added the second Pinkerton score, on a 12-yard run. Then, following a David Souther interception, McDonald took a QB keeper in for a 5-yard TD.
The Astros then blocked the ensuing punt, and fullback Ben Quintiliani plunged in for a 1-yard score, to make it 28-0 at halftime.
The Pinkerton defense was just as dominant, limiting Manchester Central to just 61 yards of offense in the first half.
“This feels great,” said Quintiliani, who finished with a game-high 55 rushing yards. “We had to show people that we are still Pinkerton. We can still move the ball running or passing. It was cold, but I love football. Running the ball is the best, and to score a touchdown on senior night, I think I made my family happy. and the defense played excellent.”
Pinkerton coach Brian O’Reilly gave his starters the second half off, but the Astros reserves still outscored the Central starters in the second half.
Astros backup QB Spencer Colburn hit Jake Morrow on a slick 27-yard pass, setting up a 1-yard TD for Landon Bennett. Then Brady Normyle capped the Astro scoring with a 54-yard TD run.
Central still managed just 117 yards in the second half against the reserves, and didn’t score it’s touchdown until there was 5:44 left, and Pinkerton was deep into the bench.
“We don’t want to lose again,” said Isaac. “Doing this on senior night, getting everyone on, this is exactly what we needed.”
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