Team Effort Leads Pioneers Over Sabercats

The Alfred State football team got solid efforts from all aspects as they defeated Maranatha Baptist 21-7 in Watertown, WI on Saturday. The Pioneers offense racked up 390 yards, the defense forced three turnovers, and a long kickoff return led to the opening score.

The Pioneers got on the board on their first possession. Josh Ashley (Brooklyn/Grand Street) returned the opening kickoff 58-yards and then caught a 40-yard pass from Dashon Turner (West Genesee) to give his team the early lead. Zack Goodwin (FD Roosevelt) made it 7-0 with the extra point.

Just over five minutes into the 2nd quarter, Marcus Evans (Buffalo/St. Joseph's) scored his first touchdown of the season on a eight-yard rush to double the Pioneers lead after another Goodwin extra point.

Early in the 4th quarter, the Pioneers made it a three-score game when Turner and Ashley connected for a second score. Ashley's 31-yard TD catch capped a nine-play 74-yard drive. Goodwin's PAT made it 21-0.

The Sabercats broke up the shutout bid with 4:29 remaining when Frankie Martinez dove in from one yard out. 

Ashley had a big day to lead the offense. He caught three passes for 115 yards and two scores. Mar-Keise Jones (Yonkers/Saunders) recorded his first 100-yard rushing game finishing with exactly 100-yards on 24 carries. Turner finished 10 for 21 for 182 yards.

Jonah Bueltel was the leading rusher for Maranatha with 53 yards while Martinez added 52. Joshua Hill was 10 for 26 for 64 yards on the day.

Brandon Davis (Lansing) led the Pioneers with 13 tackles while Steven Hubick (Fountain Hills, AZ) recorded seven. Jacob Klima (Joliet, IL) and Carlisle Philip (Brooklyn/South Shore) both forced fumbles while Jhamel Cohen (Brooklyn/South Shore) intercepted a pass. The Pioneer defense held the Sabercats to just 213 total yards (101 passing and 112 rushing).

Ben Schulz led five Maranatha players with double-figure tackles with 13. Trevor Schmidt added 12 and intercepted a pass.

The blue & gold conclude the 2016 season next Saturday when they travel to Morrisville for a 1 p.m. tilt with the Mustangs.