BY RYAN O'CONNOR

Two big plays were enough to extend Pembroke Academy football’s improbable run toward the Division III postseason.

Taking advantage of the hosts’ many mistakes, PA won its first road game, 14-10, at John Stark Regional High School on Saturday, Oct. 13.

PA improved to 4-3, good for fifth place in D-III. The top four teams in the division vie for the championship.

“We knew pretty much we would have to win out to have a (playoff) chance, so this was a big win for us today,” said head coach Dave Tremblay.

The Spartans set the tone on defense early, stalling an 80-yard Stark drive with four consecutive stops inside the PA 10-yard line, including twice at the goal.

One play later, however, Pembroke was down 2-0; the Generals stuffed a pitch to tailback Justin Muniz in the end zone.

“That’s what we do. We pitch the ball,” said Tremblay. “We’re running east and west as much as we’re running north and south. We try to get teams moving to the side. We want to get those linebackers moving because then we can counter them.”

That’s what they did one quarter later.

With just under six minutes remaining in the half, the locals recovered a Stark fumble at the Pembroke 7.

The next play, Muniz received another pitch, sliced sharply left, broke free and took off, jetting 92 yards. That touchdown, plus Patrick McCormack’s extra point, gave PA a 7-2 halftime edge.

Though John Stark produced a lengthy nine-play, 92-yard third-quarter drive resulting in a go-ahead touchdown, the Spartans were undeterred.

The ensuing drive, quarterback John Natalizio mishandled the snap but recovered, sidestepping left, slipping two defenders and rumbling 49 yards into the end zone.

Natalizio put the Spartans ahead for good.

The PA defense was stout throughout the contest, taking over twice on downs, pulling down an interception, and forcing three fumbles – one recovered.

Making tackles and blocking well, said Tremblay, have fueled Pembroke’s success.

“That’s it. It’s pretty basic stuff,” he said. “Every week it’s pretty much the same for us. You know, it seems we’re always outsized. Everyone’s got more speed than us. We’re too small, too slow to compete. But we’ve got a lot of heart on this team.”

The Spartans next host perennial D-III power Souhegan High School of Amherst on Saturday, Oct. 20.

“We haven’t lost at home yet, and I don’t expect to lose,” said Tremblay. “And neither do the kids.”