AIC, Bentley top ‘picks’ in Div. 2
When it comes to ballhawking, Northeast-10 Conference squads AIC and Bentley have perfected the craft. Currently, the Yellow Jackets top all of Division 2 with 14 interceptions. AIC picked off four aerials against Saint
Anselm in Saturday’s 30-10 win, including one by defensive back Daquon Holmes, who has 18 picks in his career, one behind LIU/Post’s Woody Aime for the all-time conference lead.
Holmes shares the team lead this season — three apiece — with Lorenzo Melchiorre and Devonte Dillion. Dillion had two in the win over Saint Anselm.
AIC’s pass defense will definitely be tested Saturday.
Stonehill and 6-foot-7 junior quarterback Matt Foltz, who recently earned a Gold Helmet Award and is 103-of-169 with seven touchdowns and only two interceptions on the season, faces the Yellow Jackets (2-3, 2-2) in Springfield.
Meanwhile, with 12 interceptions, Bentley ranks second in Div. 2. Its starting group comprises of cornerbacks Lamar Hardy and Peter Thorbahn of Norwell and Xaverian High, with safeties Sam McDonald of Norfolk and Junior Chery of Waltham. Sophomore Nick Athy of Holliston has also drawn playing time.
Bentley (3-2, 3-1), which hosts Assumption Friday night, is the nation’s leader in interception return yards with a whopping 331 and the Falcons have scored on three picks — by the freshman Thorbahn, senior Chery and junior linebacker Brandon Brown. In addition, Bentley has blocked two punts and ranks No. 14 in the country in turnovers/game.
“Well, in our league they go up in the air a lot and we have a lot of good quarterbacks in this league. Now whether it’s tipped passes or miscommunication, we preach to our guys when they throw it to you, catch it,” said Bentley coach Bill Kavanaugh. “We communicate well. We have a lot of good players back there. It comes down to interchangeable pieces. Sam McDonald has been a four-year starter for us and we may play four or five corners. We knew that (Thorbahn) was this type of player. As a group they have a lot of confidence right now. It’s fun.”
One reason why teams may be forced to test the Bentley secondary so much is that they often are hemmed deep in their own territory. Bentley senior punter Tyler Ford statistically is the nations’s best (45.5 yard average). Last week, Ford booted the ball 10 times for a 46.2 average, including a 68-yarder to tie his own school record.
Never say die
Let’s hear a cheer for the Cardiac Kids of Tufts (2-0). The Jumbos rallied back for a second straight week and eked out a 12-7 win over visiting Bates Saturday. Senior Willie Holmquist drilled field goals of 22 and 48 yards for the difference. Holmquist’s 48-yard conversion was 1 yard shy of the program record. He also punted 11 times for a 41.1 average. The Jumbos rushed for 206 yards, including 140 on 32 carries by senior Chance Brady of Haverhill.
Tufts freshman linebacker Greg Holt posted 20 tackles and is in a race with Bates senior Mark Upton of Winthrop for the tackles lead in NESCAC. Upton, who was named NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week, had 17 against the Jumbos.
Crimson balance
Harvard coach Tim Murphy was able to go to his bench early and used 70 players in Friday night’s soggy 31-17 win over Georgetown. Resting injured sophomore star Justice SheltonMosley, and lifting starting quarterback Joe Viviano (15of-21, 210 yards, three touchdowns) early in the second quarter, it was left to the Crimson defense to hold the Hoyas in check.
Georgetown managed 266 total offense yards but 150 of that came on two long scoring plays, a 76-yard pass and a late 74-yard run. Unsung defensive backs Tanner Lee and Raishaun McGhee and sophomore lineman D.J. Bailey were key.