By Pat Cummings
D3sports.com
The Colonels held Lycoming to 14 yards rushing on 28 attempts and just a total of 120 yards on the afternoon as Wilkes managed their largest margin of victory in the 37-7 win.
"This is definitely a signature win for us," Wilkes coach Frank Sheptock told the Wilkes Barre Citizens Voice. "Lycoming is the most tradition-rich program since I have been in the MAC. I have a great deal of respect for that program and for us to have a convincing win over that type of program, hopefully that gives us great momentum going into the second half of the season."
If the Colonels keep that momentum, the next four weeks could see some incredibly lopsided scores; Wilkes' next opponents have a combined MAC record of 6-11, with only Lebanon Valley at .500 for the season.
Wilkes is outscoring opponents 27-10 and hold a plus-10 turnover margin that has propelled them to an unblemished mark through six weeks. The Colonels function more as an army, though, with no significant offensive standouts. If the first half numbers were to simply double over the next five games, quarterback Al Karaffa would end the season with approximately 1,400 passing yards. Running back Tom Andreopoulos, Wilkes' leading rusher, would have just more than 700 yards and the Colonels top two leading receivers would each have 464 and 344 yards.
As if this were some animated hero series, with "their powers combined," the Colonels just get the job done.
Defensively, the one name that does not get much play nationally, but will most certainly at the end of the season is Keith Cavallotti. Midway through the season, the senior has 15 tackles for a loss and eight sacks plus three forced fumbles.
Panthers repeat chances stoked away by Scots
Given the Ferrum rushing game's proflieration, it would come to a shock to hear that the Panthers were outgained on the ground by Maryville, 199 yards to 145 yards. But if it happened, you probably would have expected to see a close game or a Ferrum loss, and it was both. Maryville upended Ferrum 20-14.
While field conditions were far from ideal after some heavy rains during the week, the Panthers rushed the ball just 34 times, their fewest number of attempts since Nov. 15, 2003 in a win over Christopher Newport. Averaging 370 rushing yards per game coming into Saturday's loss to Maryville, a 61 percent reduction in that output translated to a Maryville advantage.
Ferrum had just seven, third-down opportunities, converting just two of them. Maryville held on to the ball for 35 minutes keeping the Panthers' opportunities limited.
"I was really proud of our defense holding them to 260 when they were averaging more than 400 yards a game," head coach Tony Ierulli told the Maryville Daily Times. "I felt like we had a good handle on what they were doing."
Perhaps an understatement.
All-American Colby Townsend was helped off the field at the end of the game with an ankle injury. Ierulli told the newspaper, "it doesn't look good."
The loss nearly ensures Ferrum will not repeat as the USA South's playoff representative. Maryville is now 2-1 in conference play after a four overtime win against North Carolina Wesleyan two weeks back. A Week 2 overtime loss to Greensboro is the only USAC blemish. Now, the Scots will host CNU for a chance to remain alive in the hunt.
Abbamonte-rrific
McDaniel defensive back Drew Abbamonte has redefined his role as a leader on the Green Terror defense. The senior recorded 15 solo tackles and four assists in the 17-14 win over Gettysburg.
While the final result was not the same, Abbamonte's performance two weeks ago was equally impressive. Eleven solo tackles and six assists against Ursinus led the Green Terror by a bunch and these past two weeks propelled Abbamonte to 65 tackles for five games.
Sitterson superman
Let's outline Stuart Sitterson's afternoon in Washington and Lee's 28-0 victory at Catholic:
Two passes attempted and completed for 20 yards and two touchdowns.
Eight receptions for 79 yards.
Two punt returns for 18 yards.
21 carries for 90 yards.
After Frank Miriello gave R.J. Varner a shot at the quarterback position last week against Randolph-Macon, Varner took the helm and started against Catholic and was most respectable with 17 completions from 28 attempts and one interception. The freshman from Birmingham, Ala., seemed more than respectable and could man the ship for the rest of the season if W&L's success continues.
With the Week 1 loss against Franklin and Marshall well in the background, the Generals are playing their best football of the season and will need to in the coming weeks with games against Guilford and Bridgewater on the horizon.
Don't say I didn't warn you
Those who purchased the D3football.com Kickoff would have been well aware of the potential breakouts from Sitterson (as a running back) and Abbamonte as noted above. Muhlenberg may have been aided with the Kickoff this weekend when Dickinson coach Darwin Breaux called a gadget play that went for a touchdown this weekend in the Red Devils' 24-14 win.
Freshman Ian Mitchell, an oft-praised Philadelphia-area scholastic quarterback, (and Dickinson's representative in the D3football.com Kickoff "Where did he come from?" category) took a handoff from Chris McInerney off of an end-around and launched a 55-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ryan Stearett. The score gave the Red Devils a 14-0 lead that would hold up.
"Ian has brought athleticism and speed to our team this season," Dickinson coach Darwin Breaux told the Carlisle Sentinel. "He really makes things happen."
Mid-Atlantic Region Top 5
1. Bridgewater
2. Wilkes
3. Christopher Newport
4. Delaware Valley
5. Dickinson
Just an FYI to Ursinus fans: Even though the Bears are unbeaten, the Red Devils played an incredibly close game with nationally ranked Hobart. The Bears, even with their long-road win against Case Western Reserve, have not faced a team of the caliber of Hobart, and hence Dickinson's remaining on the list.
Games of the Week
No. 8 Bridgewater at Guilford, Armfield Stadium, Greensboro, N.C., 1 p.m.: After a 62-46 game in 2005, I'd expect just about anything this year. Yes, the Eagles are favored, but a perfect afternoon from Josh Vogelbach, while unlikely, could let the Quakers spring the big upset.
No. 21 Christopher Newport at Maryville (Tenn.), Lloyd Thornton Stadium, Maryville, Tenn., 1 p.m.:Maryville's defense was electric against Ferrum's tough rushing offense and Christopher Newport's offense has not been especially potent. Now, Maryville lost to Greensboro and Greensboro was shutout by CNU, but the Scots may have been boosted with the Ferrum win. Even if Maryville has lost Colby Townsend, I think this game will be much closer than CNU would like.
Randolph-Macon at Emory & Henry, Fullerton Field, Emory, Va., 1 p.m.: Both teams have been quite competitive despite 2-3 records and the winner will get its first ODAC victory of the year.