BURLINGTON — Tyler Hotte rushed for two touchdowns and the Middlebury Tigers handed Burlington their first defeat of the season, topping the Seahorses 19-14 on Friday night on Buck Hard Field.

Hotte rushed for 108 yards, scoring second and third quarter touchdowns on runs of one and seven yards as Middlebury rallied from an early 6-0 lead.

Burlington scored first.  After Ryan Mitchell returned the game’s opening kickoff 82 yards to the Middlebury four, Kevin Garrison ran in a nine yard touchdown for an early BHS 6-0 lead. Burlington then had two morefirst quarter opportunities deep in Middlebury territory but the Tigers defense stiffened and help the Horses off the scoreboard.

Middlebury tied the game early in the second quarter, with Hotte’s one yard run finishing off a nine play, 69 yard drive. His 28 yard run had gotten the visitors into scoring position.

Middlebury grabbed the lead on their first possession  of the 2nd half. Halfback Lane Sheldrick busted the first run from scrimmage 40 yards to the Burlington 30. As the drive continued Sheldrick ripped off an 11 yard run before Hotte’s seven yard carry gave the Tigers the lead.

Middlebury padded their lead as Sheldrick hauled in an 11 yard pass from quarterback Cody Pomanville for a 19-6 lead with eight minutes left.  That proved big when the Seahorses blocked a Middlebury punt at the Tigers 24 with 4:43 to play. Garrison then carried  to the one and BHS turned it into points with fullback Manny Dodson scoring with 3:55 remaining. Mitchell’s two point conversion got it to five at 19-14, but Hotte, Sheldrick and Pomanville combined for a pair of first downs and Middlebury ran out the clock.

Middlebury with the win is 4-3. They finish the regular season next week at CVU. Now 6-1, BHS wraps up the regular season next Friday night at home against Rutland.