Last Minute Rally Lifts AMCATS

Anna Maria scored twice in the final two minutes to rally for a 21-20 victory over Alfred State in front of a large Homecoming crowd. 

The Pioneers jumped out to an early 6-0 lead when Ronnie Clark (Philadelphia/Indian River) raced in from 13-yards out to cap a 14-play, 63-yard with 7:16 left in the 1st quarter. The AMCATS tied it up late in the 2nd quarter when Emmanuel Leake connected with a 20-yard pass to David Robinson.

Shy'rel Broadwater (Syracuse/Cicero North Syracuse) gave the Blue & Gold back the lead when caught a 23-yard pass from Wilson. The play capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive that started off the 2nd half. After forcing a AMCAT punt the Pioneers made it a two-score game when they put together a 18-play, 95-yard drive that chewed up 9:40 of the clock. Wilson capped the drive by rushing in from five yards out. The PAT gave the Pioneers a 20-6 lead with 13:18 remaining.

Anna Maria's next drive stalled and the Pioneers answered with another long drive (10-plays) but the AMCAT defense got an interception on their own 15 yard line to change the tide of the game. Seven plays later, Tanner Kingsley connected with Marcelino De Veiga on a 33-yard touchdown pass. Kingsley connected with Alex Cohen on the 2-point conversion to make it 20-14 with 1:39 remaining.

The AMCATS tried an onside kick but were unsuccesful because they touched the ball before 10 yards. Anna Maria was able to force a fumble three plays later and gave themselves one last shot. What proved to be the winning drive started on their own 41. Kinsley converted on three 3rd Down passing plays to get the AMCATS down the field. The final conversion came with the ball on the five yard line when Kinglsey connected with Hayden Braga in the back of the endzone to tie with 16 seconds left. The Ryan Johnson extra point was good to make it 21-20.

Clark had a big game as he rushed 31 times for 197 yards and a score. Wilson rushed for 69 yards on 20 carries. The Pioneers rushing attack finished with 331 total yards.

Kinglsey finished 12 for 31 for 192 yards and two scores. Marquise Roderique finished with 71 yards rushing on 11 carries and caught five passes for 44 yards. 

Brockton Weist (Harpursville) led the defense with nine tackles and three sacks. He finished the day with 5.5 tackles for a loss. Rylie Van Fleet (Maine Endwell) had three pass break-ups to lead the defensive backfield that finished with seven break-ups on the day.

Tyshwan Anderson had a monster game finishing with 24 total tackles (16 solo). Three of his tackles were for a loss and he forced and recovered a fumble. Dylan Diorio added 10 tackles and a sack.

Alfred State had the ball for 39:20 of the game and held a 383 to 315 yard advantage in the contest.  

The Pioneers head to Washington DC to take on Gallaudet next weekend. Opening kickoff is at Noon.