Mass-Maritime Blows Past Fitchburg State, 57-37

Falcons and Bucs combine for 94 total points, most points in NEFC history.

FITCHBURG, Mass. (October 24, 2009) - The Fitchburg State football team battled Mass-Maritime Academy in a New England Football Conference shootout this afternoon, falling to the Buccaneers, 57-37 at Elliot Field.

DERRICK JEAN

The two teams registered a combined 94 points, the highest total in NEFC history since the Falcons produced a 75-0 victory over Framingham State College in 2005. Mass-Maritime and its nationwide, sixth-ranked rushing offense led the contest with 499 total yards (306 rushing), while Fitchburg State mustered 380 yards with 275 coming from the pass.

Maritime bolted out to 21-7 lead after one quarter of play led by an eight play, 61-yard touchdown drive to open the contest. Freshman Jonathan Emond (Green Harbor, Mass./Marshfield) started his career-day with a 32 yd TD reception, while classmate Deonte Fielder (Haines City, Fla./Haines City) added a 3 yd touchdown run. Senior Alex Butler (Bourne, Mass./Bishop Stang) sparked the Buccaneers opening surge later in the quarter, posting a clutch punt block and 25yd return for a touchdown.

In the second quarter, both teams caught fire, resulting in 43 of the games 94 points. Maritime struck first with a 3yd TD run by Tyler Mansfield (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) while junior quarterback Jordan Cannava (Woburn, Mass./Melrose) connected with Carlos De La Rosa (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke) and Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) for a pair of TD strikes along with a 1yd TD run of his own. The Buccaneers grabbed a 44-27 lead at the break however, as Emond ended the first half scoring with a 22yd TD catch from quarterback Matt Spinazzola (Melbourne, Fla./Melbourne). 

Fitchburg State opened the third quarter with some offensive momentum as sophomore Derrick Jean (South Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) capped a 12-play, 51 yard drive with his first collegiate score and senior Evan Georgopoulos (Melrose, Mass./Melrose) notched a 28yd FG to move the Falcons within seven (44-37). Jean carried the Falcons on the opening drive, rushing eight times for 19 yards before punching it in from two yards out, while Georgopoulos connected for his eighth field goal of the season.

Maritime held off any Fitchburg State comeback, registering back-to-back scores late in the third and fourth quarters, while milking 14 minutes off the clock in the process. Rookie Evan Sheridan (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) sparked the Bucs with an 85yd kickoff return, while Emond sealed the Mass-Maritime victory, posting his third TD reception with 3:56 remaining in regulation.

Junior Douglas Dyke (Plainville, Mass./King Phillip) and sophomore Matt White (Westwood, Mass./Westwood) led the Mass-Maritime running attack with a combined 251 yards rushing, while Jean paced Fitchburg State with 96 yards in his first Falcon debut. Spinazzola was efficient behind the line for the Buccaneers, hitting 14-of-18 passes for 193 yards and three TDS, while Edmond hurled in 178 yards and three scores on ten receptions.

Cannava was solid for the Falcons with 18-of-32 passing, 275 yards and three touchdowns, while adding one score on the ground. Senior Devon Jennings (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) led all Fitchburg State receivers with eight catches for 68 yards, while De La Rosa added three stabs for a team-high 112 yards receiving.

Defensively, junior Anthony Bizzotto (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) led all tacklers with a game-high 18 stops (10 solo, 8 assists), one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, while senior Dale Whittredge (Haverhill, Mass./Haverhill) added nine tackles. Sophomore Mike Bois (Lakeville, Mass./Apponequet) led the Buccaneers with a team-high nine tackles.           

Fitchburg State (4-4, 2-3 NEFC) will be back in action next Saturday as it visits Westfield State College at 12 p.m. Mass-Maritime (3-5, 2-3 NEFC) will travel to Framingham State College next Saturday at 1 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Mass-Maritime 57, Fitchburg State 37

Scoring:
First Quarter: MAM: Jonathan Emond (32yd pass), 10:51; FIT: Carlos De La Rosa (50yd pass), 9:31; MAM: Deonte Fielder (3yd run), 4:13; MAM: Alex Butler (25yd PR), 2:48;
Second Quarter: MAM: Tyler Mansfield (3yd run), 10:50; FIT: Jordan Cannava (1yd run), 8:35; MAM: Jim Erlwein (PAT Return), 8:35; FIT: Jeremy Kimber (39yd pass), 8:06; MAM: Douglas Dyke (54yd run), 5:49; FIT: De La Rosa (50yd pass), 3:33; MAM: Emond (22yd pass), 0:38;
Third Quarter: FIT: Derrick Jean (2yd run), 10:05; FIT: E. Georgopoulos (28yd FG), 2:36; MAM: Evan Sheriden (85yd KO Return), 2:25;
 Fourth Quarter: MAM: Emond (31yd pass), 3:56;