PAXTON, Mass. – The SUNY Maritime College football team rushed for an impressive 280 yards to lead the Privateers to a 43-20 victory over the AMCATS in an Eastern Collegiate Football Conference matchup on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Paxton, Mass. The Privateers remain undefeated with a 5-0 record overall and improve to 2-0 in ECFC-play, while the AMCATS fall to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in the conference.
David Marsh (Boston, Mass.) and Santino Simone (Worcester, Mass.) were the stars for the AMCATS, as Marsh contributed with three receptions for a game-high 64 yards and a touchdown, while Simone added 195 yards of total offense and two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing). Jamie Spanopoulos (Franklin Square, N.Y.) rushed for 84 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Joe Dickey (Middleton, N.J.) threw for 85 yards and one score to pace the Privateers on offense. Patrick Lasher (Seaford, N.Y.) led SUNY on defense recording eight tackles while also returning an interception 40 yards for a touchdown.
After Jamal Mitchell booted the opening kickoff out of the end zone, Maine Maritime had first crack with the ball. The Privateers used a John Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) four-yard touchdown plunge to cap an 11-play, 80-yard opening drive. After a missed PAT and an AMCAT three-and-out, Maine Maritime spanned 78 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown pass to Erik Heedles (Staten Island, N.Y.) from quarterback Joe Dickey (Middleton N.J.) to push their lead to 13-0.
In the second quarter, the AMCATS took over at their own 31-yard line after a 51-yard field goal attempt nu SUNY Maritime sailed wide left. Quarterback Santino Simone then led the AMCATS on an 11-play, 67-yard drive, which he finished with a 10-yard touchdown scramble to cut the lead to 13-6.
The Privateers responded to the AMCATS' score with a touchdown of their own on fourth-and-goal plunge from the one yard line. After initially looking like he was going to be stuffed, fullback Jamie Spanopoulos fought hard after contact to give the visitors' lead some cushion.
Nearing the end of the half, Anna Maria turned the ball over on downs after a fake punt attempt failed. Maine Maritime kicker Madison Leary (Tavares, FLA.) capitalized by drilling a 34-yard field goal as the half expired, giving the Privateers a 23-10 lead at intermission.
A nice opening drive to open the third quarter was cut short by a costly AMCAT interception that was returned 40 yards for a touchdown by linebacker Patrick Lasher to blow the game open at 30-6.
After an Anna Maria punt, the visitors scored on Spanopoulos' second one-yard touchdown plunge of the game to push their lead to 36-6.
Anna Maria refused to go quietly, bouncing back with two of their best drives of the game. The first spanned 80 yards on 10-plays, as the AMCATS converted on multiple third down opportunities and finished with a two-yard touchdown plunge from Chris Meadows (New Rochelle, N.Y.).
The AMCATS then marched 63 yards on 12 plays during their next possession, as Santino Simone found David Marsh down the seam for a 20-yard touchdown.
Despite the 43-20 defeat, Anna Maria fought hard until the end while compiling 19 first downs and 272 yards of total offense.
The Privateers return to action next Saturday when they travel to Castleton State for an ECFC conference matchup. The AMCATS will look to rebound at home next week as they take on Husson at 1:00 PM.