Bentley streaks to NE-10 chamionship
There were plenty of cheers and tears to go around New England football this week as several teams claimed hardware, while others could only shake their collective heads in disappointment.
Bentley (6-4, 6-2 NE-10) survived a wild logjam atop the Northeast-10 by surging past American International, 38-0, for its fifth straight win. The Falcons victory, combined with New Haven’s 27-17 win over Stonehill (6-4, 5-3 NE-10) handed the Falcons their first NE-10 Championship since 2010. Bentley (6-4, 6-2 NE-10) finished even with New Haven (7-3, 6-2 NE-10) but won the tiebreaker after beating the Chargers, 31-14, on Sept. 27.
“The kids kept their nose down and worked hard,” said Bentley coach Bill Kavanaugh Jr., a former Falcons captain.
“It was a wild weekend for everyone. Everybody had a chance. Our kids never stopped competing.”
A catalyst was senior captain Peter Thorbahn, of Norwell, and Xaverian High School, who returned his 15th career interception 40 yards for his third career touchdown. Senior Grant Buchanan, of Holliston, booted a 29-yard field goal and added 5 extra points to finish 37-of-37 in PATs. Buchanan compiled 224 career points, most by a Bentley kicker and tied former player Jeff Hill for No. 4 in career scoring. Junior Stephen Sturm hit 13-of-19 for 247 yards, eclipsing 2,000 passing yards for the season.
Bentley’s motivational story was wide receiver Drew Mahoney, who broke the same ankle in consecutive seasons but returned for a fifth year. Mahoney caught 88 passes for 1,032 yards to become the 10th player in program history to record a 1,000-yard receiving season. He finished third in NCAA Div. 2 in receptions-per-game.
“Drew had a really special year. He’s a great kid,” said Kavanaugh.
Saint Anselm (4-7, 4-4 NE10) knocked Assumption (6-4, 5-3 NE-10) from the title chase off a 61-27 score, mostly behind senior quarterback Eric Fairweather, who accounted for six touchdowns (4 passing) en route to earning a weekly Gold Helmet Award from the New England Football Writers.
Congrats to Bridgewater State, which scored three touchdowns in the last nine minutes to rally from a 21-6 deficit en route to a thrilling 26-21 victory over Mass. Maritime Academy and captured the 41st annual Cranberry Bowl game played at Clean Harbors Stadium in Bourne. The win hands the Bears (6-4, 6-2 MASCAC) the vaunted ‘Scoop’ trophy for the 30th time (30-10-1).
Senior quarterback Stefano D’Emilia threw for two touchdowns (20-of-38 for 174 yards, 2 TD s, 3 Int.), rushed (13 for 40 yards) for two scores and punted five times (30.2 avg.), including four inside the 20-yard line and won the Lee Harrington Trophy emblematic of Cranberry MVP. D’Emilia, who played at Bridgewater-Raynham High, ended his career as program leader in pass attempts (897), completions (490), and completion percentage (.557). D’Emilia tossed a 10-yard TD pass to junior T.J. Hairston, of Watertown, for the game winning points. Mass. Maritime senior quarterback Matt Long, of Weymouth, rushed 28 times for 94 yards and three scores in the loss.
Framingham State (8-2, 8-0 MASCAC) belted Worcester State (0-10, 0-8 MASCAC), 47-6, to lock up the MAS
CAC automatic berth to the NCAA. Rams seniors Brian Donahue (12 tackles, sack), of Norfolk, and Jack Sullivan (11 tackles, sack), of Dartmouth, had big efforts against the Lancers. Framingham will face Wesley (8-1) in the NCAA tournament. Other first round NCAA games have MIT (7-2) playing Muhlenberg (10-0) and Western New England (8-1) and Brockport (8-2) squaring off.
Holy Cross (6-5, 4-1 Patriot) pummeled host Fordham, 49-27, thanks to senior captain Domenic Cozier, of Milford, and Milton Academy, who gained 156 yards and scored twice. The Crusaders can clinch outright possession of the Patriot League title with a win against visiting Georgetown at Fitton Field on Saturday.
Yale (8-1, 5-1 Ivy) drilled Princeton (7-2, 4-2 Ivy) in New Jersey and combined with Cornell’s (3-6, 2-4 Ivy) road upset at previously undefeated Dartmouth (8-1, 5-1 Ivy) has a title chance. Yale senior quarterback Kurt Rawlings won a weekly Gold Helmet after throwing a program-record six touchdowns in the Bulldogs thrashing of Princeton.