The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Chargers rush past Stonehill
WEST HAVEN — Heading into their matchup on Saturday, the Stonehill and New Haven football teams were still alive for a Northeast10 Conference championship with several scenarios that could lead to a title.
But a win was essential for any hope of a title.
The Chargers did their part with Shamar Logan rushing for 122 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns, including a 75yard touchdown run, to lead New Haven to a 2717 win on senior day at DellaCamera Stadium.
Ju’an Williams caught seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown for the Chargers and moved into ninth place alltime in career receiving yards.
One of the key factors for any NE10 title for New Haven or Stonehill was a loss by NE10 rival Bentley. But Bentley did not cooperate, coming away with a 380 win over American International. Bentley and New Haven end up tied atop the league with identical 62 records, but Bentley owns the tiebreaker having beaten New Haven 3114 on Sept. 27.
“Shamar scoring on that 75yard play on that first play of the second half really turned the game around for us,” New Haven coach Chris Pincince said. “We made the game interesting for our fans. But overall our offense and defense played well. The defense came up with four or five turnovers for us that helped too.
“The NE10 title is what it is. But our kids played well all season and finishing the season with four straight wins is a reflection of how well they played.”
In the first quarter, the Chargers got on the board first thanks to a 22yard field goal by Michael Stalenyj for a 30 lead with 7:40 to go. The Skyhawks answered on their next possession, going six plays and tying the game at 3 on a 24yard field goal by Matt Haite.
The Chargers regained the lead at 63 on another Stalenyj field goal with 8:38 to go in the second quarter, this time from 27 yards out.
The Skyhawks responded on their next possession with the first touchdown of the game. They went six plays and Justin Felder bolted up the middle for a 2yard touchdown run with 4:53 to go in the first half. Haite’s kick gave Stonehill a 106 lead.
The back and forth offense of the first half continued with the Chargers regaining the lead with 35 seconds left in the second quarter.
Williams, all alone in the left corner of the end zone, caught a 13yard touchdown pass from Christian Lupoli. Stalenyj’s kick gave New Haven a 1310 lead at halftime.
The Chargers opened the second half with a bang. Shamar Logan broke three tackles and scored on a 75yard touchdown run with 14:44 to go in the third quarter. Stalenyj’s kick gave the Chargers a 2010 lead.
The Skyhawks answered on their next possession with a 6yard touchdown run by Felder. Haite’s kick trimmed the New Haven lead to 2017 with 4:49 to go in the third quarter.
Logan added an insurance touchdown on a 2yard run with 3:12 left in the fourth quarter for the 2717 final.
“The offensive line helped me big time today,” Logan said. “They opened holes for me all day, especially on that 75yard run and then I just put on the jets and kept going. It’s a little disappointing not to win the NE10 title. But we fought hard to put us in position for the title and we played well as a team all season.”
The Chargers defense came up big on one late Skyhawks scoring drive to stymie a late rally. With a fourth down and 2 to go at the New Haven 11, the New Haven defense held Felder to a yard to end the drive and New Haven took over on downs with 11:00 to go in the fourth quarter.
Felder led the Skyhawks with 164 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns.