Pioneers Rally for Victory in DC

Dawson Fontaine (Bensalem, PA) connected on a 18-yard field goal with 1:25 left to lift Alfred State to a big 24-21 ECFC victory over previously unbeaten Gallaudet. The Pioneers improve to 3-4 on the season and 2-1 in ECFC play.

Gallaudet put together two scoring drives in the 1st half. Mikka Harvey rushed in from eight-yards out with seven seconds left in the 1st quarter to start the scoring and Timel Benton connected with Brandon Washington on a 22-yard pass play to make it 14-0 with 4:25 left in the half.

Alfred State answered back on their next drive when Aaron Jenkins (Canfield, OH) connected with Ben Ba (Harlem/Park East) on a 13-yard pass play to cap a nine-play drive that took 2:51.

On their first possession of the 2nd half, Jenkins tied the game when he rushed in from four yards out to tie it at 14-14. 

The Bison retook the lead on their next drive as Harvey scored for the second time. His 11-yard run capped an 11-play drive that took over six minutes off the clock.

The Pioneer defense stepped up the rest of the way. They put together back-to-back 4th down stands and on the second they used the momentum to put together the game tying drive. The scoring drive was just three plays and covered 81 yards. Jenkins rushed for six yards, connected with Jake Palmer on a 26-yard pass play, and then found Roman Napoleon (Allegany Limestone) down the middle for a 49-yard pass play. Napoleon was able to run under the pass and make a finger tip catch.

On the Bisons next drive, Brock Weist (Harpursville) recovered a fumble on the Gallaudet 26 to set up the winning drive.

On a key 3rd and Goal play from the Gallaudet 13, Jenkins kept the ball and rushed it to the one-yard line. The Pioneers let time click off the clock and after a timeout, Fontaine set up for the short field goal that gave the Pioneers their first lead.

Gallaudet didn't go away as they returned the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Pioneer 25. The Bison gained five yards on three plays and set-up for a game tying 37-yard field goal that went wide right.

Jenkins was 14 for 25 for 223 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 105 yards on 18 carries. Napoleon caught six passes for 132 yards and a score.

Benton rushed 22 times for 97 yards and was 7 for 14 for 67 yards and a score passing. The Bisons finished the day with 10 different rushers that accumulated 293 yards.

Te'Hari Campbell (Auburn) led the defense with 12 tackles. Joel Smith (Livonia) and Silas Egenlauf (Spencerport) both chipped in 10 tackles while Jeremiah Nixon (Staten Island/Curtis) finished with 9. Smith recorded the lone sack of the game. Weist had the big fumble recovery to go along with eight tackles.

Laron Thomas had nine tackles and an interception while Jacob Hartman finished with seven tackles and a sack.

The victory was the first for Alfred State in the four meetings between the school. 

The blue & gold are now just one game behind Anna Maria in the ECFC standings. AMC is 3-0, Gallaudet 3-1, Alfred State 2-1, and Castleton 2-1.

The Pioneers head to Keystone next Saturday for a 2 p.m. battle with the Giants.