Baty’s MVP performance gives Rams 4th straight state title

Doug Reilly
Reporter

View photos

The East Lyme Vikings, temperatures in the 30s, rain, wind, and even snow could not stop the Rams’ from winning their fourth straight class MM state championship. Quarterback Turner Baty, who was named MVP of the game, threw for four touchdowns, leading the Rams to a 28-0 victory over the Vikings.

After the Vikings’ opening kickoff, Turner Baty lead the Rams offense onto the field starting at their own 30 yard-line. On 3rd and 10, he scrambled for a first down to the East Lyme 48 yard-line. Minutes later, Baty found senior receiver Cody Newton in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown, capping the Rams 12-play, 70-yard drive. Sophomore kicker Collin Shapiro connected on the extra point, giving the Rams a 7-0 lead with 9:03 left in the first quarter.

East Lyme returned the ensuing kickoff to their own 38 yard-line. After driving to the New Canaan 30, the Vikings converted on 3rd and 10, down to the Rams’ 20.  However, on 4th and 18, senior defensive back Jeff Sztorc picked off East Lyme quarterback Jacob Grills at the Rams’ 10 yard line.

A few plays later, Turner Baty was intercepted by East Lyme senior Nickolas Marcelo at his own 30-yard line. However, on the next play, Vikings tailback Kevin Miao fumbled and gave the Rams the ball back on the New Canaan 28. The Rams offense stalled, and the Vikings again got the ball back on their own 29-yard line with 2:07 left in the first quarter.

Vikings senior running back Jordan McCoy broke four tackles for 38 yards down to the New Canaan 33. East Lyme then converted on 4th down, bringing them to the Rams 15 yard-line as the first quarter ended. The Rams defense then shined, stopping the Vikings on another 4th down, getting the ball back deep in their own territory. Seconds later, as Turner Baty dropped back to pass, the ball slipped out of his hands, and was recovered by East Lyme at the New Canaan 21.

The Rams defense held once again as snow began to fall with 6:30 left in the first half. But a long drive by the Rams ended on the East Lyme’s 29 yard-line when senior running back Peter Park came up short on a 4th and 5 play.

The Vikings couldn’t get going on offense, and were forced to punt, giving the Rams the ball on their own 37 with 2:45 left in the 2nd quarter. Turner Baty led the Rams down the field to the East Lyme 10 yard-line with 25 seconds left. After a timeout, Baty hit a sliding Newton in the end zone for his second 10-yard touchdown of the game. Shapiro hit the extra point, giving the Rams a 14-0 halftime lead.

New Canaan junior Jack Bennett kicked off to the Vikings to start the second half, and East Lyme started from their own 37. The Rams defense was strong once again, but failed to recover a fumbled exchange between the East Lyme running back. After another Vikings punt, the Rams started their first drive of the second half on their own 21, with 9:09 left in the 3rd quarter.

A powerful 3rd down run by Peter Park and a 25-yard screen play to senior receiver Willie Ouellette brought the Rams to the Vikings end of the field with less than 7 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter. Seconds later, Baty found Newton in the end zone o a 24-yard pass play, giving the Rams a 21-0 lead.

The Vikings offense went 3 and out, and New Canaan took over on their own 30 yard-line, with 4:20 left in the quarter. The drive ended at midfield when the Rams failed to convert on a 4th and 1 pass play. On the next play, Vikings’ quarterback Jacob Grills’ pass was tipped, and then intercepted by Rams senior Ronnie Balzano. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Rams had a 21-0 lead.

A steady drive by the Rams offense led to a 14 yard touchdown pass from Baty to Ouellette, who had given up the quarterback position to Baty earlier in the season. The score gave the Rams a 28-0 advantage. On the ensuing Vikings possession, Rams defensive back Hunter Eldred recovered a Jacob Grills fumble at midfield, with 6:50 left in the game.

Sophomore quarterback Matt Milano took over for Baty and finished the game for the Rams. As the finals seconds of the Rams’ fourth straight Connecticut Class MM championship ticked off the clock, the celebration began as the dedicated student members of Bussey’s Bomb Squad, led by senior Joe Gallo, stormed the field and mobbed the team at the 50-yard line.

After the post-game handshake between the East Lyme Vikings and the Rams, Turner Baty was named MVP. Despite a fumble and an interception, Baty had an outstanding day, completing 18 of 31 passes for 222 yards and 4 touchdowns. Baty led the Rams to a fourth consecutive state title – something only a handful of teams in Connecticut have accomplished.