DARTMOUTH — It came down to strong defense followed by a big offensive push in overtime, but the Old Rochester Bulldogs scored a win to open its season against Dartmouth High School. 

In the opening minutes of the September 13 game, the Bulldogs took the lead 7-0. In the process, senior running back Camden Brezinski became the first to score a touchdown on the newly renovated and reopened Memorial Stadium with a 37-yard play. 

The Indians were quick to respond, however, as senior running back Dylan Pacheco put the Indians’ first touchdown on the board with his own long play. However, a missed extra point prevented the Indians from tying things up. 

By halftime, Old Rochester still held a 13-12 lead.  Dartmouth tied the game at 20-20 with a 66-yard touchdown and two-point conversion, and moments later took its first lead 27-20. With seconds left in the third quarter, the Bulldogs tied it at 27-27. 

With no points on the board in the forth quarter, the pivotal overtime moment came. 

“In overtime, we won the toss, but I like to go into defense first,” Head Coach Bryce Guilbeault said. “At least if we can stop them, we know we can just kick a field goal and win it if we had to.” 

Successful Bulldog defense cost the Indians its chance at an overtime win, and the Bulldogs secured a 33-27 win with a touchdown. 

“It was a great game to be a part of,” Guilbeault said. “It had my heart racing for most of that second half.” 

Guilbeault noted Dartmouth was a particularly tough opponent, which kept the team on its feet. 

“We had a plan to do a few different things today, but [Dartmouth] were physical up front,” Guilbeault said. “They beat us up a little so we had to grind it out, run the ball, and do whatever we can to win.” 

As for what’s next, Guilbeault is looking ahead to a challenge from league rival Apponequet. 

“They’re a very good team, they have a lot of weapons, they’re tough, and they’re physical,” Guilbeault said. “Those guys always bring a hard game to us.”

A first win for Old Rochester was a bittersweet moment for the team and its fans. The game itself was held on Dartmouth’s renovated Memorial Stadium, with an all new turf field, LED lighting, and other improvements.

The Bulldogs had hoped to play on a renovated stadium of its own, but a proposal to renovate ORR’s stadium was shot down by Rochester voters.