Pioneers Fall in Wet and Wild Homecoming Battle

Alfred State and Anna Maria battled through numerous rain showers on Homecoming Saturday. The AMCATS were able to take advantage of five Pioneer turnovers to earn a key 28-17 ECFC victory.

After an early Pioneer turnover, Alex Cohen connected with Justin McMillian on a 20-yard touchdown pass just over three minutes into the game. Aaron Jenkins (Canfield, OH) and the Pioneers responded on their next possession. Jenkins rushed in from 35-yards out to cap a 87-yard drive.

The AMCATS took back the lead with 4:51 left in the 1st quarter when Lamar Wilkes intercepted a pass and returned it 50-yards to make it 14-7. Rain came down heavy and neither team could score until Dawson Fontaine (Bensalem, PA) connected on a 26-yard field goal with 25 seconds left in the half.

Alfred State was driving in the 3rd quarter looking to take their first lead of the game but Anna Maria forced a fumble inside their own five yard line and put together a 96-yard drive to build a two0score lead. Cohen capped the seven play drive when he connected with Deandre Wallace on a 48-yard pass play.

The Pioneers didn't go away and scored on their next possession when Jenkins dove in from one-yard out on a 4th and goal. Cohen and Anna Maria scored on their next possesion to cap the scoring. Cohen connected with Wallace on a two-yard scoring pass with 10:02 remaining.

A one handed interception by Alvin Martin stopped the Pioneers next drive and AMC was able to run out the final 6:39 of the game to secure the victory.

Jenkins finished 13 for 18 for 200 yards and rushed for 99 yards and two scores on 25 carries. Shy'rel Broadwater (Syracuse/Cicero North Syracuse) caught five passes for 91 yards and Jake Palmer (Voorheesville) rushed for 59 yards on 13 carries.

Cohen finished 21 for 29 for 262 yards and three scores. Wallace caught five passes for 90 yards and two scores while Eric Pino rushed for 45 yards on nine carries.

Joel Smith (Livonia) had a monster day leading all tacklers with 15 tackles. Nuhsar Mike (Syracuse/Leadership Academy) finished with seven tackles and a sack. Joseph Alvarado (Queens/John Adams) and Anthony Allen (Staten Island/New Dorp) intercepted passes.

Sam Jakana led the AMCATS (4-1, 2-0 ECFC) with 10 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. 

Alfred State outgained Anna Maria 346 to 325 but was a -3 in the interception (three fumbles and two interceptions) battle.

The Pioneers hit the road for the next two weeks. They begin the trip next Saturday in Washington DC with a 1 p.m. kickoff vs. Gallaudet.