Ryheem Tinsley's four touchdowns propel Middletown over Our Lady of Lourdes for their third straight win.

After a slow start to the season, the Middletown Middie Bears have continued their hot streak, winning their third consecutive game, defeating the Our Lady of Lourdes Warriors 40-34 in an offensive shootout. This marks the second game of the season in which the Middie Bears surpassed 30+ points and their highest scoring output of the season. 

The Lady of Lourdes came out of the game with an explosive drive down the field with a big gain to get within Middletown’s 20-yard line. Warriors running back Lucas Pascale rushed into the end zone to give Lourdes a 6-0 lead as they capitalized on the conversion by Brayden Moore, giving them an 8-0 lead.

Middletown came out aggressively offensively, led by Ryheem Tinsley, who had a big 11-yard gain to give Middletown a first down before bursting from 22 yards out for Middletown’s first touchdown of the game to make it a one-point game after the made field goal. 

The Warriors were able to quickly get the ball downfield again, off a big run and into Middletown’s red zone. Warriors quarterback Jack Savona found running back James Krauza in the end zone for the Warriors' second touchdown of the game. The Warriors attempted to go for two again but were intercepted while still leading 14-7.

Middletown’s offense was performing exceptionally well, advancing the ball to the Warriors’ 30-yard line before Tinsley sprinted for 29 yards, scoring his second touchdown of the game and tying it at 14 in what has been an offensive shootout between both teams in the first quarter.

Middletown’s defense was able to apply pressure to force a three-and-out on the Warriors. Middletown’s offensive brilliance continues as Tinsley accelerated off the punt through the Warriors’ defenders for his third touchdown of the game to give Middletown their first lead of the game with 9:39 to go in the half, up 21-14.

The Warriors' defense started to tighten it up as Joseph Royal threw an interception with the pass intended for Aiden Barbosa to start their offense at the 20-yard line. The Warriors were able to push the ball down to the 30 before Middletown was called for a penalty that gave the Warriors five yards to start at the 25 as they looked to tie the game.

Lourdes was able to capitalize on scoring in the end zone off running back Anthony Daniel. Lourdes failed to convert the kick that would’ve tied the game as Middletown still led 21-20 with 3:47 to go in the half.

Middletown extended the lead with another spectacular 81-yard rush by Tinsley, who evaded defenders like a snake, resulting in his fourth touchdown of the game and bringing the score to 27-20 after the successful field goal.

The Warriors looked to respond with an explosive play of their own, with Daniels exploding for a big gain to get the Warriors inside Middletown’s 20. Middletown's Alex Lana-Torres executed a big sack to force the Warriors into a fourth and long.

Middletown forced the Warriors to turn the ball over on downs. Middletown's offense continued to flourish as Royal connected with Andy Aristhene for a 77-yard touchdown, propelling them to a 34-20 lead to end the half.

In the second half, Tinsley nearly fumbled off a dump pass from Royal, almost turning the ball over as the Warriors forced a three-and-out. Warriors running back Dane Bryan got their offense back on board, scoring a touchdown for the Warriors to make it 34-28 after a successful conversion. Middletown responded with Aristhene getting into the end zone for his second of the game, bringing them to 40 points.

The Warriors resisted surrender, rushing for another touchdown and completing another conversion to tie the game at one possession, with Middletown leading 40-34. A false start against Middletown cost them five yards to put them at the Warriors' 35 with two and a half minutes to go. They had a one-score lead and looked to create a cushion in what's been a shootout offensively for both teams. 

As the game tightened in the final moments, the Middie Bears aimed for one last highlight, with Royal attempting to pass to Barbosa when a pass interference penalty against the Warriors effectively sealed their fate with a minute remaining.

Tinsley was named Player of the Game with a staggering four total touchdowns in one of the best performances you could ask for from a player. Tinsley and Aristhene formed a dynamic duo to score six of Middletown’s touchdowns to propel them to their third straight win, getting them back to the .500 mark as they look to garner their fourth consecutive win on Halloween night against Kingston in their final regular-season home game.

 It also puts them third in Section 9AA, trailing Monroe-Woodbury and Newburgh Free Academy, as they look to maintain their momentum.