Antwerp’s Nick McCreery takes down the ball carrier right on the spot in the second period.
Antwerp Archers celebrate win in season opener. Photo by Jodi Poulson.
In the 2017 high school football season opener, the host Archers of Antwerp started the season in style with a come-from behind 32-28 victory over Montpelier Friday night.
Keaton Altimus led the way for the blue and white, throwing for 384 yards to pace the Antwerp offense.
Josh Poulson was Altimus’ top target, hauling in 13 receptions for 161 yards with a touchdown catch of 48-yards. Cole Seslar aided the Antwerp cause with 11 catches for 107 yards as well, including scoring plays of 3, 23 and 17 yards.
Altimus’ 17-yard touchdown toss to Seslar proved to be the game winner that rallied Antwerp to the victory.
Antwerp struck first in the contest with Altimus and Seslar connecting on a three-yard touchdown pass before Austin Grubb ran 51-yards to get Montpelier within 7-6 after one quarter.
Grubb finished the night with 157 yards on 17 carries for the Locomotives, including a pair of touchdowns.
The Archers pushed the lead to 13-6 as Altimus found Luke Brewer for a four-yard scoring strike but Montpelier rallied.
Dakota Benner found Jaden Van Tong on a 28-yard toss that knotted the game at 13-13 after two quarters of play.
Benner opened the second half scoring with a 45-yard touchdown run but Altimus found Poulson to pull Antwerp back into a 20-20 tie entering the final stanza.
After Altimus and Seslar hooked up on a 23-yard scoring play that put the Archers on top 26-20, Montpelier got a 48-yard scoring strike by Benner in grabbing a 28-26 lead that set up Antwerp’s final score.
The Archers return to action on Friday with a road trip to Hilltop, which was defeated by Edgerton 42-6 on Friday.
