Pioneers Top Spartans - Remain Tied for Top Spot in ECFC

Alfred State defeated Castleton 35-24 in a key ECFC battle. The Pioneers never trailed as they improved to 5-4 overall and 4-1 in ECFC play.

After a Rylie Van Fleet (Endwell) interception, the Pioneers drove down the field and took the lead 5:54 into the game when Aaron Jenkins (Canfield, OH) rushed in from three-yards out. The Spartans cut the lead to 7-3 early in the 2nd quarter when Noah Crossman connected on a 21-yard field goal. A Castleton fumble set up the Pioneers second scoring drive of the game. Jenkins capped the four-play drive with a 19-yard pass play to Jake Palmer (Voorheesville). The Pioneers led 13-3 at half.

Castleton came right out of halftime and scored on their opening drive. The seven-play drive was capped by a 25-yard touchdown pass from Evan Smith to Chance Fee. Two possessions later, Alfred State made it a two-score game when Ben Ba (Harlem/Park East) caught 27-yard touchdown pass from Jenkins. Alfred State had a huge defensive stop inside their own red zone late in the 3rd quarter that they were able to turn into a touchdown drive. Jenkins capped a 9-play drive with a two yard scoring rush to make it 25-10.

Castleton answered right back on their next offensive play when Smith connected with Anthony Martinez on a 65-yard passing play to cut it back to a one-score game. Dawson Fontaine (Bensalem, PA) made it 28-17 on the next drive when he drilled a 34-yard field goal. After another big defensive stop, the Pioneers added to their lead when Palmer rushed in from five-yards out with 5:33 left.

Smith and Martinez connected again on another touchdown pass with 3:18 left to make it 35-24 but the Spartans on-side kick attempt went out of bounds. Castleton would get another possession but could not get any closer.

Jenkins finished the day 16 for 29 for 359 yards and two scores. He also rushed 24 times for 69 yards and two scores. Shy'rel Broadwater (Cicero North Syracuse) caught two passes for a team high 103 yards while Ba finished with six catches for 91 yards and a score. Roman Napoleon (Allegany Limestone) caught two passes for 88 yards.

Evan Smith came off the bench and was 20 for 36 for 301 yards and three scores. Martinez caught 12 passes for 193 yards and two scores. Devin Wollner led the rushing attack with 72 yards on eight carries.

Dakotah Mathis (Farmingdale) led the defense with 13 tackles while Jeremiah Nixon (Staten Island/Curtis) had eight stops. Joel Smith (Livonia) had seven stops, a sack, and a fumble recovery, Van Fleet had seven tackles to go with an interception, and Te'Hari Campbell (Auburn) and Nuhsar Mike (Syracuse/Leadership Academy) each had seven stops and a sack.

Andrew Genier and Jayson Gilsinger boht had seven stops for Castleton while Chris Rice and Ethan Palazzetti had six.

Castleton held a slight 465-453 yard advantage in the contest but ASC was able to score 13 points of a pair of Spartan turnovers.

Prior to the game, the Alfred State coaching staff honored five Pioneers who will be graduating this year, Brock Weist (Harpursville), Colin Kraeger (Oriskany), Amadou Barry (Park East), Cade Marks (Wellsburg/Elmira), and Campbell.

The Pioneers will head into the final week tied in the ECFC standings with Anna Maria. The AMCATS defeated Gallaudet 37-21 this afternoon. 

Alfred State ends the regular season on the road at Dean College next Saturday. Opening kickoff is at Noon.