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Lippold throws two scores, Windham wins battle of unbeatens

Saturday, October, 03 By David Willis
Staff writer

WINDHAM — If there was any question how first-year starting QB Griffin Lippold and his Windham teammates would respond to their biggest test so far in 2015, the question was answered with a bang early on.

Facing pressure, Lippold sidestepped a defender and connected on a bomb to Micah Sundman, who took it the rest of the way for the 75-yard touchdown that gave Windham the second-quarter lead it would never surrender on the way to downing fellow unbeaten Souhegan 21-7 on Saturday.

“We knew this was going to be our toughest test of the year so far,” said senior Matt Shea. “And I think we proved to the league what kind of team we are. We were ready to beat a very tough opponent.”

The victory extended the Jaguars’ unbeaten streak to 16 games, dating back to the start of last season, and put them in control of the Division 2 South at 5-0. Conference rival Souhegan fell to 3-1.

“This was a very tough conference rival that we will probably see again in the postseason,” said senior Ben Emrick. “So it was a great win to move forward. Whenever we needed a big play we always had confidence that any player could make it.”

It was rookie QB Lippold — who faced the massive task of replacing 2014 Eagle-Tribune offensive MVP Brendan McInnis — that turned in a few huge plays for the Jags, starting with the 75-yard TD that came after Souhegan came out with the momentum early.
“The coaches made a great call and Micah ran a great fade,” said Lippold. “I tried to make a good throw. It was great to put a score on the board early. 
“Now that we are about halfway through the season my confidence is really high. Brendan really took me under his wing and taught me a lot, and he still reaches out to me. I am feeling good.”
Lippold added the clinching score early in the fourth quarter, when he threw a 22-yard strike to Kyle Adamson in the end zone. He finished the day with 7 of 10 throwing for 133 yards, completing every pass after the first quarter.
“Lippold has done a great job,” said Emrick. “We had Brendan last year and he was great, so we didn’t know exactly what we would have this year. But Griff has stepped up and really taken charge of the job. We have total confidence in him.” 
Emrick was also a big-play machine. He rushed for the Jags’ other score, but his great contributions came on defense. 
With Souhegan threatening to cut Windham’s lead to just one score, driving the ball to the Jaguars’ 2-yard line midway through the fourth, Emrick made the stop on first down, then made a tremendous shoestring tackle on third down. The Sabres then fumbled on fourth down to end the threat.
“Emrick is such an amazing athlete on offense and defense,” said Lippold. “He just makes play after play, and those plays in the red zone were huge.”
Another Sabres drive into the red zone was ended by a Sundman interception, which he returned 62 yards, and Shea knocked down a pass in the end zone to squash a threat. 
The Jaguars now head into their off-week before looking to earn their 24th victory in 25 games when they travel to Pelham.
“We are fine with (the winning streak),” said Emrick. “We take it one opponent at a time, but we also know our goal isn’t just to beat the next team, but to get back to UNH for the (Division 2) title game. That’s the ultimate goal.”