Skip To Main Content

Phillips Exeter Academy

ATH_2024_Football_Gamere Bowl 1

Football crowned Gamere Bowl Champions!

Exeter football were crowned 2024 Drew Gamere Bowl champions following a decisive 56-28 victory over Avon Old Farms on Phelps Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Exeter ground attack was otherworldly as the team ran behind the offensive line of Ewan Newton, Michael Gidaro, Ethan Ali, Adriano Bozzo, and Thomas Hoey on their way to 471 yards on 44 carries. Leading the way from the backfield was Myles Craddock who carried the ball 15 times for 121 yards and four scores. JJ Bright added 16 carries with a game-high 155 yards. 

"The team was led by an exceptional group of seniors," said Big Red head coach Panos Voulgaris. "They worked hard, had fun, and were unselfish. They really set the tone for us and always put the team first."

Avon would draw first blood on Saturday as they marched 75-yards over eight plays before running into the end zone from five yards out to stake a 7-0 lead.

Bright would take the ensuing kickoff out to the 45-yard line and the Big Red offense went to work. Exeter's eight play drive ended in the end zone when Otter found Tav Fenderson out of the backfield for a three-yard touchdown reception to even the score at 7-7. Big Red's drive was kept alive when Isaiah Reese ripped off 18-yards on a reverse play on a pivotal fourth down to set up the Otter touchdown pass. 

The ensuing Avon possession ended when Tayshawn Taylor picked off a pass, giving Big Red the ball deep in their own territory. Exeter was able run for a pair of first downs to start the drive before Reese blistered around the edge and went untouched for a 58-yard score to give the hosts a 14-7 lead. Reese finished the game with 154 yards on the ground on just seven carries. 

Once again, the Exeter defense ended an Avon possession early when Levy Kinlock forced a strip-sack and recovered the fumble to give Big Red the ball on the Avon 16-yard line. Three plays later it was Bright who ducked behind the Exeter offensive line and ran into the end zone from ten yards out, giving Big Red a 21-7 advantage.

The Exeter defense would stunt another Avon drive, forcing a punt, before Bright would find the end zone again, cutting through the middle of the Avon defense for a 20-yard score.

As the Avon offense was gaining some traction, Big Red would force a turnover on downs with 1:50 left in the opening half, giving the offense a chance to further extend their lead heading into the locker room. Exeter would do just that as Otter found Cody Szymanski wide open in the end zone on a play action pass from 26-yards to give Big Red a 35-7 lead at the break.

Exeter would score on their first two possessions of the second half when Myles Craddock followed a powerful performance from the offensive line to find the end zone from 15-yards and 11-yards, respectively. Craddock would add his third touchdown of the day in the fourth quarter when he scampered in from ten yards.

Big Red wraps up their 2024 campaign with an 8-1 record while improving to 21-4 over the last three seasons.
 
ATH_2024_Football_Gamere Bowl Team 1
Print Friendly Version

Related Videos

Related Stories