Big 2nd Half Lifts Pioneers to Victory

Alfred State outscored Dean College 27-3 in the 2nd half as they ended the regular season with a 37-15 victory. The Pioneers winners of four straight and six of their last seven improve to 6-4. They end the regular season in a tie for the ECFC crown with a 5-1 record.

Dean got on the board on the second play of the game when David Curry connected with Errol Breaux on a 78-yard pass play. Dawson Fontaine (Bensalem, PA) connected on a 26-yard field goal with 3:22 left in the 1st quarter to cut the lead in half, 6-3.

Aaron Jenkins (Canfield, OH) gave Alfred State their first lead early in the 2nd quarter when he connected with Roman Napoleon (Allegany Limestone) on a 73-yard pass play. Four plays later, Curry connected with Quintus Reid on a 17-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 12-10 advantage. Dean took that lead into the half.

On the Pioneers second drive of the 2nd half, Jenkins capped an 80-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give ASC a lead they would never surrender. Dean kicked a field goal on their next possession but the defense kept them off the scoreboard the rest of the way. 

Jenkins rushed in from one-yard out with 12:20 left in the game, he connected with Napoleon on a 28-yard score 32 seconds later after Fontaine's on-side kick was recovered, and Dylan Banks (Baldwinsville) capped the scoring with a 9-yard run with 2:20 left in the game.

Jenkins continued his magical season with another huge game. He rushed 28 times for 185 yards and two scores and was 11 for 28 for 270 yards and two scores. Napoleon had a big day catching six passes for 194 yards and two scores.

Curry finished 13 for 28 for 243 yards and two scores and rushed for 86 yards on seven carries. Breaux finished with 173 yards receiving while Reid had 137.

Jeremiah Nixon (Staten Island/Curtis), Brock Weist (Harpursville), and Nuhsar Mike (Syracuse/Leadership Academy) all had five tackles while Joel Smith had four tackles and 2.5 sacks. Anthony Allen (Staten Island/New Dorp) intercepted a pass.

Desmond Dias led Dean (2-8/1-5 ECFC) with 15 tackles while Kordell Scott had 11.

The contest featured over 1,000 yards of offense. ASC held a 564 to 487 advantage. 

Anna Maria defeated Maritime 31-7 to improve to 5-1 in the other crucial ECFC match-up. With the victory on Saturday and based on their head-to-head victory over Alfred State, the AMCATS earn the ECFC automatic bid to the NCAA DIII Tournament.

Alfred State will represent the ECFC in the New England Bowl. Their opponent for the postseason match-up next Saturday will be announced late Sunday evening or Monday morning.