2005 Season Summary
Every year, the expectation is that the Avon Old Farms football team will challenge for the Erickson league title. This year was no different as the Winged Beavers brought back a talented core of seniors that were expected to go out and compete in every game of the season and have a chance to win. But success would not come easy. After a long bus ride home from a 13-7 loss in a scrimmage at Exeter, it became apparent that the Winged Beavers would have to battle for every yard, every score, and every victory.
A week later, Avon opened up at home to the Taft Rhinos and left no doubt early. They scored four touchdowns in the first fifteen minutes and cruised to a 41-18 victory. Big plays were the story in this one as Justin Jarvis scored on a 55 yard pass play and Michael Cox ran for a 39 yard score. Then after a Kevin Zikaras TD catch, Cox took it in from 55 yards out. In the fourth quarter, quarterback Dempsey Quinn and captain Stu Beath found their way into the action as they connected twice for touchdown passes.
It was a solid offensive effort to open the season. The defense had also played well for a majority of the game except for a second and third quarter let down that allowed Taft to hang around for a bit too long. They would have to step it up in the next game. And step it up they did! Trailing 14-6 at Salisbury the following week in a game where the offense had to work for every yard, the defense came through again and again. Avon’s first half touchdown had come on a 100 yard kickoff return by Kevin McDonnell. McDonnell had two extraordinary interceptions in the second half to keep Avon in the game. John Higginbotham scampered 20 yards in overtime to win it for the Beavers.
After a disappointing 32-0 drubbing in rain and mud away at the hands of the eventual New England Champion Trinity Pawling, Avon bounced back to beat a pesky Kent team 14-6. Michael Cox established himself as a tough runner as he ran for a score and pounded out yardage to wear out the opponent. Week five was an easy 41-0 win at home versus Loomis. But week six was a different story. Avon traveled to Hotchkiss to take on the 2-3 Bearcats. The Beavers failed consistently in the red zone and left the field stunned, swallowing a tough 24-21 upset loss.
Even though hopes for a league title and an appearance in the New England championship had slipped away, Avon needed very little to motivate themselves against their archrival, the Deerfield Big Green. The defense made big play after big play. Chang Ho had two sacks as well as a touchdown run. Mike Del’Aquila and Mike Recchia continued their excellent efforts as they each had interceptions in the game. Having lost the past four contests against their nemesis, a 28-18 victory seemed all the more sweet in front of a rowdy student body that rushed the field after it was all done.
Avon finished at 6-2 on the year after a 38-22 victory versus Northfield Mount Herman. Nick Demopolis kicked the longest field goal of his career from 47 yards. Captains Sam Patterson and Steve Driscoll also gave outstanding performances throughout the season. Avon returns quite a bit of talent for next year, especially at the skilled positions. Once again, they should be a team to be reckoned with in the Erickson League. 
