Traditionally two of the top rushing teams in the Centennial Conference, Gettysburg (6-3, 5-3 CC) and Dickinson (3-6, 3-5 CC) combined for 100 carries against just 40 pass attempts in the game.
Freshman Matt McFadden (Morristown, N.J./Morristown Beard) returned the opening kickoff 36 yards and the Bullets set the tone for the day with nine carries on their first drive, including six by senior tailback Kyle Wigley (Medford, N.J./Shawnee). After an 18-yard scamper, Wigley crossed the goal line for the seventh time this season to give the hosts a 7-0 lead three minutes into the contest.
The Red Devils dominated time of possession in the opening half, holding the ball for over 21 minutes. The team's two second-quarter drives accounted for more than 12 minutes with the first ending on a touchdown run by quarterback Billy Burger and the second ending with a 28-yard field goal to give the visitors a 9-7 lead at halftime.
"Their plan, which was no secret, was to run the ball, limit the possession that we had, and keep the score low," said Gettysburg Head Coach Barry Streeter. "That's exactly what happened in the first half. Other than that first drive, they had their way in what they wanted to do in my opinion."
After forcing a three-and-out on the Red Devils' first possession of the second half, Gettysburg turned in a quick seven-play scoring drive. Senior Sam McDermott (Newtown, Pa./Notre Dame (N.J.)) found senior tight end Fred Pulzello (Glen Rock, N.J./Glen Rock) for a 16-yard touchdown strike to push the Bullets back in front 13-9 with 11:43 to go in the third quarter.
Gettysburg turned the ball over on a fumble in its own territory midway through the third quarter. The miscue did not prove costly, as senior Brian Calatozzo (Sewell, N.J./St. Augustine Prep) wasn't fooled by the halfback option and picked off a pass by tailback Cedric Madden at the Gettysburg six-yard line. It was the sixth interception of the fall for Calatozzo, who had missed the previous two games due to injury.
"It was tough the last couple weeks being on the sideline and watching my team play," said the senior cornerback. "I could tell he wasn't going to run the ball and he was setting back for a pass. I just read the guy and ran with him and made the play."
Sophomore Joe Scaglione (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) posted a pair of stops as Dickinson turned the ball over on downs to start the fourth quarter. Gettysburg made the most of the defensive hold with a 65-yard drive to the end zone. Following back-to-back receptions by Pulzello and senior wide receiver Brandon Sparks (New Hope, Pa./Central Bucks East) totaling 33 yards, senior James O'Rourke (Westfield, N.J./Westfield) dashed 20 yards down the right side line to put the Bullets in the red zone. McDermott threw his second touchdown pass of the day to sophomore Ryan Thompson (Oakland, N.J./Indian Hills) and the extra point boosted the lead to 20-9 with 12:20 remaining.
The Red Devils held the Bullets to just 14 total yards on the next two drives and sliced the lead down to three with just over two minutes to go. Madden scored a short-yardage touchdown and converted a two-pointer to make it 20-17.
On the ensuing on-side kick, the ball was ruled out-of-bounds and Gettysburg took possession in Dickinson territory. A 24-yard rush by McDermott helped the hosts run out the clock and seal the win.
"All of our players put in great efforts today," said Streeter. "I've said this before, our players aren't quitting on anything. It doesn't matter what the score is. We're going as hard as we can possibly go until it's over."
Gettysburg out-gained Dickinson 328-286 in total offense, including 232-189 on the ground. The Red Devils held a sizeable advantage in time of possession with over 38 minutes.
The seniors helped lead the way in their final home game. Wigley piled up 89 yards on 17 carries, while McDermott went for 68 yards on 13 rushes. The senior quarterback was an efficient 8-of-11 for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Pulzello finished with two catches for 32 yards. Senior punter Robby Fay (New Providence, N.J./New Providence) averaged 39 yards on his three punts.
Senior linebacker Kodie McNamara (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) paced the defensive effort with 13 stops and a pair of pass break-ups. McNamara, who took over sole possession of second place on the program's career tackle list (386), was quick to point to the support of his teammates during the senior's final hurrah on Shirk Field.
"All the underclassmen took note of what was going on today and they said they played today for us which is huge," said McNamara. "You really can't complain when you come away with a win like that, but it's emotional for sure. You look back on your last four years and you're happy about everything that happened, but you're sad it's over for sure. We just look forward to next week now and our last game."
Junior Chris Miller (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) racked up 10 stops and senior Michael Kornegay (Montclair, N.J./Montclair) came away with eight tackles. Sophomore Joey DiCristofaro (East Windsor, N.J./Hightstown) and Scaglione each recorded seven tackles, with the former adding a sack. Junior Michael Pennella (Martinsville, N.J./Bridgewater Raritan) posted six solo tackles and one sack.
Madden carried the ball 31 times for 83 yards. Burger recorded 74 yards on the ground and 112 yards through the air, while Madden added seven receptions for 39 yards. Jake Myers and Kevin Sherry each totaled 11 tackles for Dickinson.
Gettysburg closes the season with another trophy battle as the Bullets head to Lancaster to face Franklin & Marshall College (6-3, 5-3 CC) for the coveted Lincoln Trophy. That match up is set to take place next Saturday, Nov. 14, at 12:30 p.m.