North Country defensive tackle Andrew Lafleur (39) brings down Spaulding running back Cameron Cummings (10) during Friday night’s game with Spaulding. Donovan Delabruere (66) and Nick Vanasse (76) were in on several tackles Friday night. (photo by Jim Fuller)

Cameron Cummings rushed for 87 yards and two touchdowns as defending Division II state champion Spaulding defeated host North Country, 32-0, in the season opener for both teams Friday night.

It was a stalemate early, with neither team able to establish a rhythm on offense. The Falcons had 30 yards of first-quarter offense; Spaulding had just six yards. During the first quarter, it was obvious Falcon quarterback Aaron Grondin, a returning 1,000-yard rusher, was hurt. Grondin would come out for good after running for a first down on fourth-and-one late in the quarter. He would finish the night with nine yards on three carries.

Playing field position early, the Crimson Tide took over on the Falcon 34 following a punt. After an apparent fourth-down stop, North Country was called for roughing the passer and Spaulding had new life and a first down at the Falcon 13. Three plays later, Cummings took it in from seven yards out and the Crimson Tide kept momentum the rest of the way. The extra point was good and Spaulding led, 7-0, with 8:32 remaining in the half.

Sophomore Cris Buckles set the Falcons up nicely, returning the ensuing kickoff to the Tide 49. Another sophomore, Fred LeClair, followed with a 19-yard run. But the Falcons turned it over. Spaulding responded with a 71-yard drive which ended with Zach Dessureau finding Nick Patton for a 15-yard touchdown pass with 4:06 remaining in the half.

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