Alfred State Starts Fast but Hawks Rally for Victory

The Alfred State football team raced out to a 14-point, 2nd quarter lead but Hartwick was able to turn the tables as they scored the games final 24 points to earn a 30-20 victory in the Pioneers home opener.

After Jamel Guzman (Bronx/Herbert Lehman) recovered a fumble on Hartwick's opening drive the Pioneers put together a 12-play drive that was capped by a nine-yard run by Dashown Wilson (Bronx/DeWitt Clinton). The Hawks answered right back with a scoring drive on the next drive when Grant Harman connected with Kishaun Bell on a 25-yard pass play (2-point attempt failed). 

Wilson made it 13-6 when he dove in from two-yards out with 14:18 left in the half and Andrew Pierre-Paul (Brooklyn/Erasmus Hall) gave the Pioneers their biggest lead when he picked off a Hawk pass and returned it 41 yards for a score.

Hartwick scored the final 10 points of the half to cut the lead to 20-16. Jason Fucci ran in from two-yards out with 8:08 left and Kevin Roberts hit a 25-yard field goal with 2:36 remaining.

Hartwick was able to force a three and out to start the 2nd half and then strung together an 11-play drive to take their first lead. Davien Kuinlan capped the drive by scoring from six yards out to make it 23-20. The Hawks defense forced a fumble on the next possession on 4th down and Harman found Rusty Virkler seven plays later on a 17-yard scoring play to make it 30-20.

Alfred State tried to rally in the 4th quarter. They drove the ball deep into Hartwick territory and was unable to capitalize and score any points. They stopped Hartwick again and got the ball back with 3:20 left in the contest but couldn't muster any more scoring.

Wilson finished 12 for 27 for 143 yards and rushed for 35 yards and two scores. David Carroll (Mastic/Center Moriches) caught six passes for 87 yards while Ronnie Clark (Philadelphia/Indian River) rushed for 49 yards on 20 carries.

Devon Brown rushed for 156 yards on 24 carries while Harman finished 8 for 17 for 144 yards. Bell caught four passes for 89 yards and a score.

Brockton Weist (Harpursville) led Alfred State with seven tackles while Rylie Van Fleet (Maine Endwell) had six solo tackles.

Noah Socash had nine tackls while Kyle Kessler had seven tackles, a sack, and an interception. Joe Harney recorded two of the Hawks five sacks.

Hartwick outgained the Pioneers 306 to 223 on the game. Alfred State forced four 1st half turnovers which turned into 14 points. 

The Pioneers are on the road for the next two weeks. They travel to the University of Rochester next Saturday for a Noon battle with the Yellowjackets.