Hinesburg — The Essex Hornets built a 20-0 third quarter lead and then help off a CVU fourth quarter comeback, topping the Redhawks 20-14 for their first win of the season on Saturday afternoon on the CVU Field.

Essex scored at the 6:41 mark of the first quarter, with quarterback Eli DiGrande tossing a three yard touchdown pass to sophomore running back Jordan Hines. The play culminated an Essex drive fueled by a DiGrande to Colby Trudeau pass play and a long run down inside the Redhawk five yard line by Hines.

CVU shot themselves in the foot in the first half, twice fumbling in the redzone and another time have a drive deep into Essex territory end on downs. The Redhawks also committed a pair of damaging 15 yard penalties (a face mask and a personal foul) in the second quarter, assisting an Essex drive that ended with DiGrande taking the ball around the right side and into the end zone from 42 yards out for a 13-0 Hornet lead at the break.

Essex added to their lead late in the third quarter Elliot Boutin busting up the middle for a 42 yard run and a 20-0 lead after three.

CVU got on the board with seven minutes left as QB Andrew Bortnick connected with Trevor Kingston on a 30 yard touchdown pass to move within 20-7. The Redhawks then recovered the ensuing onside kick, but were unable to take advantage,  only finally adding their final touchdown on a twelve yard Bortnick to Kingston pass with one tenth of a second remaining.

With their first win of the season Essex improves to 1-3. CVU is 2-2.