Alfred State vs. Apprentice School - Football Preview

Alfred State (3-2) at Apprentice School (1-5)

Saturday, October 20, 2012 1 p.m. * Newport News, VA

Last meeting:

Alfred State 22 Apprentice School 7 in 2010

Last week:

Alfred State lost 27-17 vs. Globe Tech

Apprentice lost 20-14 to Southern Virginia University on Oct. 5^th

Pioneers Offense: 21 ppg, 239.6 yards per game

Pioneers Defense: 16 ppg, 258.2 yards per game

Builders Offense: 19.2 ppg, 248.8 yards per game

Builders Defense: 25.5 ppg, 360.5 yards per game

Players to watch:

Alfred State:

Joey Frendo So. QB 6-3, 216 Fremont, MI

Erik Simmons So. WR 6-3, 210 Elmira

Major Everett Fr. RB 5-11, 215 Media, PA

Keegan Phalen So. SS/P 6-2, 195 East Aurora

Robert Howard So. DL 6-3 280 Syracuse

Shawn Charles So. CB 5-10, 175 Rochester

Apprentice:

Jodey McNeil So RB 5-10, 170 Newport News, VA

Jonathan Whelan So. QB 6-0, 195 Fredericksburg, VA

Izhia Roundtree Jr. DB 5-7, 180 Vidalia, GA

Brock Bullock Jr. LB 6-1, 220 Fredericksburg, VA

Tequan Mayfield So. DB 5-9, 160 Virginia Beach, VA

Key matchup: The Pioneers take the long road trip to Newport News, VA to take on the Apprentice School. This is the road game on the schedule for Alfred and the longest trip of the season.

The Pioneers turned the ball over five times and had a punt blocked last week in their loss to Globe Tech. Alfred tried to rally after falling behind 27-3 but was unable to come fully back. The Pioneer offense had their best performance of the year. Major Everett led the best rushing game of the year thus far with 65 yards on 14 carries.

Alfred's special teams has scored three touchdowns on the season but have been slowed down in the last two contests. A long kickoff or punt return could be critical in this contest.

Apprentice is more of a running team with Jodey McNeil averaging 74.8 yards rushing per game. The passing game has averaged just over a 100 yards per game.

Game notes:

• The Apprentice School is a NCAA DIII institution and the two teams will meet again in 2013 as Alfred State plays their first year of NCAA football. This is the first of two straight weeks that the Pioneers will take on NCAA DIII competition.
• Live stats will be available at: http://livestats.prestosports.com/apprentice/
• Pioneers return home next weekend when they host Southern Virginia University. Next Saturday's game begins a three-game end of the season homestand.