20-Point Second Half Lifts Curry Past Visiting Nichols, 34-24, in NEFC Boyd Division Action
MILTON, Mass. – Junior Kevin Fruwirth (Agawam, Mass.) threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, leading Curry to a come-from-behind 34-24 victory over visiting Nichols in New England Football Conference (NEFC) Boyd Division action Saturday afternoon in Milton. The Colonels improve to 4-4 overall and 3-2 in Boyd play, while the Bison fall to 1-7 overall and 1-4 in divisional action.
Nichols opened the scoring at 4:52 of the first quarter, capping off a nine-play, 72-yard drive with a two-yard push into the end zone by freshman Andre Rickerson (Boston, Mass.).
Curry got the equalizer just 43 seconds into the second frame as Fruwirth fired an 18-yard scoring strike to senior Robert Bambini (Westwood, Mass.). That finished off a brief three-play, 23-yard drive and knotted the score at 7-7.
The Bison reclaimed the lead with 9:39 left in the first half, driving 69 yards on five plays, including a five-yard touchdown toss from junior Pat Viencek (Bernardston, Mass.) to senior David Gonzalez (Springfield, Mass.).
With just over seven minutes remaining in the half, Curry tied the game again (14-14), marching 80 yards down field on six plays. Fruwirth led the drive with four completed passes on five attempts for 86 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown toss to sophomore Jordan Shairs (Gloucester, Mass.).
Nichols continued the back-and-forth affair, claiming a 21-14 edge at intermission after an 11-yard scoring pass from Viencek to junior Joe Lambert (New Haven, Conn.) with 1:56 on the clock.
The Colonels received the second-half kickoff and would need just 1:37 to pull even at 21-21. Fruwirth was the catalyst again, completing four passes on five attempts, but ultimately used his legs to rush for an eight-yard touchdown.
With 6:30 remaining in the third, senior Rashad Sims (Beverly, Mass.) intercepted a pass in the end zone to stop a Bison drive. However, the Curry offense fumbled the ball on its first play, and Bison sophomore Kris Williams (East Hartford, Conn.) recovered the loose ball on the Colonels' 44-yard line.
After seven plays and 22 yards, the Nichols offense had to settle for a 39-yard field goal by freshman Casey Lombardi (West Haven, Conn.) with 2:52 left in the third frame. Curry would take its first lead of the game as time expired in the third frame. A six-play, 71-yard drive ended on another Fruwirth-to-Bambini connection, this time from four yards out. After missing the extra point, the Colonels led 27-24.
Curry extended its lead, and scored the final points of the day, with 11:20 remaining in the contest. A one-yard push by Shairs finished off the 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive.
The Colonels held significant edges in first downs (31-22) and total offensive yards (530-376).
Fruwirth was 30-for-45 for 375 yards and three touchdowns. In the process, he established school records for completions (222) and attempts (384) in a season. Junior Phil Bigelow (East Orange, N.J.) ran for a game-high 112 net rushing yards on 18 attempts. Bambini reeled in 12 receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Bambini surpassed his own school record for receptions in a season with 70. For the Bison, Viencek was 23-for-41 for 350 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Gonzalez recorded five receptions for 71 yards and one touchdown.
On defense, Sims led the Colonels with 10 solo tackles and one interception. Junior Sam Calley (Weymouth, Mass.) had five total tackles (4 solo), including four tackles for loss (-24 yards) and two sacks (-21 yards). For Nichols, Williams amassed eight solo tackles, including one tackle for loss (-2 yards). He also had a blocked field goal attempt and a fumble recovery. Sophomore Alex DiNardo (Wellington, Fla.) had eight total tackles (6 solo), including 3.5 tackles for loss (-17 yards) and three sacks (-14 yards).
Both teams return to Boyd Division action next Saturday, as Curry travels to UMass Dartmouth for a 12:00 p.m. contest, while Nichols hosts M.I.T. at 2:30 p.m.
