By Sapna Pathak
Staff Writer

Central’s Miles Davis (24) breaks up a pass during the Little Green’s dramatic 14-13 win over Concord on Friday, Sept. 29 at Gill Stadium. (Hooksett Banner/Bruce Preston)

Halfway through its 2006 campaign, Central High’s football team has a vision of playing deep into November. That vision is becoming clearer each week.

On Friday, Sept. 29, the Little Green pulled out a dramatic 14-13 win over Division I rival Concord at Gill Stadium. The win proved, under new head coach Ryan Ray and new starting quarterback Joe Robinson, Central can still hang and bang with D-I’s top tier.

“Everyone is doing what I ask of them,” said Ray. “Every game is so important, and they’re beginning to understand that and improve each week. My quarterback [Joe] Robinson gets better and better with each start.”

Concord struck late in the first quarter when senior quarterback Nathaniel Diggs connected with Eric Moore for a 9-yard touchdown and 7-0 Crimson Tide lead at halftime.

But the Little Green offense clearly took whatever Ray said during halftime to heart, producing a 17-play drive that lasted 8 minutes and 17 seconds. Robinson snuck across the goal-line from one yard out. Kicker Kris Butler’s extra point was good.

Muzafer Aku ran 30 times for 166 yards in the win, including the game-winning touchdown with 5:14 left in the game. His one-yard rush capped Central’s 12-play drive, its second long march of the second half.

Ray said though Robinson and Aku sparked the offense, he was impressed with how his defense made big plays.

Indeed, Concord cut the lead to 14-13 with 3:23 remaining, scoring on a 47-yard bomb from Colin Brown to Eric Moore on a well-executed halfback option.

Crimson Tide head coach Bob Camirand opted for a two-point conversion, but Brown was brought down trying to run through the right side.

Central’s timely defense sealed the win when Robinson robbed Concord with an interception in the final minute, the Tide’s only turnover of the night.

“Every win we get is one step closer to the playoffs,” said Ray. “We have to play consistently week after week to attain our goal of playing into November.”

The Little Green visit Nashua South on Saturday, Oct. 7.