Worcester State Downs Fitchburg State, 35-0

Lancers amass 423 first half yards sparked by Tokarz 201 yards passing

FITCHBURG, Mass. (October 29, 2011) – The Worcester State football team notched 423 yards of first half offense to cruise to a 35-0 NEFC Bogan Division victory over Fitchburg State University on a snowy afternoon at Elliot Field.

The Lancers erupted for 28 first quarter points to post their seventh victory of the season led by the strong arm of quarterback Tony Tokarz (Holden, Mass./Wachusett). On 6-of-6 throwing, Tokars tossed for 201 yards and three touchdowns, while running for 67 yards and a TD on eight carries. Kemani Jones (Milton, Mass./Milton) was also strong on the ground for Worcester State, totaling 74 yards and one TD on 12 carries, while Justin DeAndrade (E. Bridgewater, Mass./E.  Bridgewater) hauled in two catches for 80 yards and a score to led the Lancer receivers.

Worcester State opened the scoring just four minutes into the game as Jones capped an eight play, 69 yard drive with a 21 yard TD run. DeAndrade found the end zone for the Lancers second score of the game, hooking up with Tokarz for a 69 yard bomb at 9:57, while A.J. Scerra (Marlboro, Mass./Marlboro) gave Worcester State a three score advantage with his ninth TD of the year, a 37 yard reception at the 3:40 mark.

The Lancers were not finished with their first quarter explosion however as their defense forced a quick three and out for the Falcons and the offense cashed in with a Kenny Russell (Bedford, Mass./Bedford), 26 yard touchdown reception. Tokarz capped the first half scoring with a five yard touchdown plunge for a 35-0 advantage at the break.

With the snow falling heavily in the second half, both teams turned to their running attack to the move the ball. Worcester State finished the contest with 487 yards of offense, including 273 yards on the ground from 11 different running backs, while Fitchburg State ended with 150 yards and 14 first downs.

Freshman Steph'fon Teague (Fitchburg, Mass./Fitchburg) led Fitchburg State offensively, notching 93 yards on 23 carries, while senior Carlos De La Rosa (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke) added 33 yards on three receptions.

Defensively, senior Chris Rose (Gloversville, N.Y./Gloversville) led Fitchburg State before bowing out due to injury, totaling eight solo tackles, while classmate Mike Vaughan (Lowell, Mass./Lowell) added seven solo stops and one assist. Freshman Zack Skerry (Milford, Mass./Milford) led the Lancers with a team-best seven stops (5 solo, 2 assists) and one TFL, while senior Ray St. Laurent (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) chipped in with four TFL's and two sacks.

Fitchburg State (2-7, 1-5 NEFC) will be back in action next weekend as it hosts Westfield State at 1:30 p.m. Worcester State (7-2, 4-2 NEFC) will host Framingham State next Saturday at 12 p.m.