PAXTON, Mass.—The Becker College football team scored three second-quarter touchdowns and did not look back en route to a 41-7 win in Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) action against the AMCATS of Anna Maria College on Saturday afternoon.
With the win, Becker improves to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in ECFC play, while the AMCATS conclude the season at 1-9 overall and 1-6 in league action.
THE SERIES
Becker extends their winning streak to four games against Anna Maria and now holda a 5-1 all-time record in the series.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Becker totaled 447 yards of offense and held the AMCATS to 204 yards, including 55 first-half yards, en route to the victory. The Hawks pass for 186 yards, as quarterback Nas Sinkfield-Shelton (New Rochelle, N.Y.) completed 18 of his 37 pass attempts.
Despite the success in the air, all six of Becker's touchdowns were scored on the ground, led by Jacob Holmes (Worcester, Mass.) with 165 yards and four touchdowns. Matthew Romasco (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) and Brandon Mulling (Naples, Fla.) also scored a touchdown apiece.
Defensively, the Hawks used five sacks, 13 tackles-for-loss, an interception and a fumble recovery to take the air out of the AMCAT offense.
AMCAT SCORING
Anna Maria's lone touchdown came at the 9:14 mark in the third quarter. Anna Maria took over from their on 37-yard line following a 20-yard return by Joseph D'Onofrio (Lawrence, Mass.). From there, the AMCATS strung together a nine-yard rush by Daniel Faison (Bowie, Md.) and a 54-yard pass completion from Faison to Trai Weaver (Waterbury, Conn.) for the score. Francis Cole (Maspeth, N.Y.) buried the extra-point to bring the score to 27-7.
AMCAT NUMBERS
Faison completed 10 of 24 passes for 142 yards. William Ricard (Billerica, Mass.) has a team-leading four receptions for 50 yards, while Weaver had two receptions for 61 yards.
On the ground, Christopher Bettano (Tewksbury, Mass.) led the team with 48 yards on 17 carries. Faison also had 17 carries, but only netted nine yards.
Defensively, Stefano Marziale (Cranston, R.I.) totaled a team-best 10 tackles, followed by seniors Michael Sinto (Long Beach, N.Y.) and Tyler Rocha (Cranston, R.I.) with nine apiece. Rocha also stepped up for an eight-yard sack. Senior Nate Goncalo (New Bedford, Mass.) finished the day with four pass breakups, followed by Jake LeBlanc (Ipswich, Mass.) with three.
GAME-CHANGER
Following the AMCAT touchdown, the hosts looked like they were building a comeback. The defense held Becker off the scoreboard for the remainder of the third quarter and carried possession into the fourth quarter, starting the final frame on third-and-two. A three-yard rush by Bettano gave the AMCATS a first-and-goal from the one-yard line, but Faison was sacked and fumbled on the team's first try.
Becker recovered the football on their own 10-yard line. Alexander Stewart (Gifford, Fla.) was credited with the sack and forced fumble.
BECKER SCORING
Second Quarter: Following a scoreless first quarter, the Hawks carried possession into the second quarter and scored on the drive, using 11 plays to travel 84 yards, resulting in a 35-yard touchdown run by Holmes. The extra-point attempt was wide to the right.
After a three-and-out by Anna Maria, the Hawks would score on their next drive. The visitors used seven plays to travel 35 yards, which concluded with a one-yard touchdown run by Mulling.
Becker's Josh Lawrence (Manhattan, N.Y.) intercepted Faison's first pass attempt on Anna Maria's ensuing drive and returned it 19 yard to the AMCAT 11-yard line, setting up Holmes for back-to-back rushes to travel the 11 yards needed for the touchdown. Holmes then buried the extra-point to put the Hawks up 20-0.
Third Quarter: Becker scored on their first drive of the third, using 11 plays to travel 65 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown run by Holmes. He against hit the extra-point for the 27-0 edge.
Fourth Quarter: Leading 27-7 entering the final frame, the Hawks scored on both of their fourth-quarter drives. The first drive was a 13-play, 90-yard drive that ended in a five-yard touchdown run by Romasco. The second drive was a 62-yard run by Holmes. Both extra-point kicks were good for Holmes, and the Hawks ran away with the 41-7 victory.
FINAL COMPARISONS
Becker held a 23-11 advantage in first downs and an 82-63 edge in plays on the day. The Hawks were also three-of-four on fourth-down conversions, while Anna Maria was 1-for-4.