Balanced Attack Leads Pioneers to Victory

A balanced offensive attack and a solid defensive effort helped lead the Alfred State football team to a 34-18 victory over Maranatha Baptist (WI) University on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneer offense gained 567 yards and defense forced three turnovers and recorded six sacks.

The Sabercats got on the board first when David Fenton connected on a 24-yard field goal to account for the lone points of the 1st quarter.

Alfred State took control of the game with a solid 2nd quarter. Ben Wilkerson (Fayette-Ware) connected with Dante Jordan (New York/Law & Public Service) on a 10-yard pass with 14:04 remaining in the half (PAT failed). With 3:12 left Wilkerson made it 12-3 when he scampered in from six yards out (2-point conversion failed).

The turning point of the game came in the final minutes of the half when Chris Monteiro (Sachem East) intecepted a Sabercat pass in the end zone with 1:28 remaining in the half. The Pioneers raced 80-yards on eight plays in 1:14 to add to their lead. On the eighth play of the drive, Wilkerson rushed towards goal line and fumbled on the 1. Romiio Littlejohn (Brooklyn/Grand Street) recovered the ball in the end zone to send the Pioneers into the break with a 18-3 lead (two point conversion failed).

Tanner Carrillo cut the lead to 18-10 on Maranatha Baptist's first drive of the 2nd half when he connected on a 85-yard pass play to Jowan Williams with 10:19 remaining in the 3rd.

Wilkerson connected on a pair of touchdown passes in the Pioneers next two drives to make it a three possession game. Wilkerson hit Josh Ashley (Brooklyn/Grand Street) with a 40-yard pass and then hit Khris Greggs (Rochester/Aquinas) on a 44-yard strike. Wilkerson ran in for both 2-point conversions.

After a Pioneer turnover early in the 4th quarter Carrillo and Williams connected again on a 95-yard touchdown catch and run to make it 34-18 but could not get any closer. The Sabercats threatened to score again but Donnell Scott (Brooklyn/Grand Street) intercepted a pass in the end zone.

Wilkerson finished the day 27 for 35 for 329 yards and three scores. Ashley caught four passes for 105 yards, Littlejohn had nine catches for 101, and Greggs had eight catches for 83. Joshua Hinds (Brooklyn/Boys & Girls) recorded his first 100-yard game finishing with 122 yards on 21 carries. The Pioneers rushed for 238 yards on 54 carries.

Carrillo was 17 for 37 for 354 yards and two scores for Maranatha. He was slowed by three interceptions (two in the end zone) and six sacks. Williams caught five passes for 205 yards and Clayton Morrison caught six passes for 107. The rushing attack was held to -7 yards in the contest.

Monteiro led the Alfred State defense with eight tackles and two interceptions. Akil Brown (Brooklyn/Stevenson) recorded three sacks while Sulaiman Aina (Bronx/Malverne) collected two sacks.

Ben Schultz had 14 tackles for MBU while Joshua Hill collected 13 and forced two fumbles.

Alfred State collected 31 first downs in the game and collected a season high 567 yards (329 passing & 267). The team was also 11 of 18 on 3rd down conversions.

The victory was the first for Alfred State head coach Jarod Dodson. 

The blue & gold wrap up the 2015 season next Saturday when they host Morrisville State at 1 p.m. The Pioneer seniors will be honored in pregame ceremonies.