MILTON, Mass. – Curry outscored visiting Plymouth State 28-0 in the first half en route to a 38-14 victory in its New England Football Conference (NEFC) Boyd Division season finale Saturday afternoon in Milton. The Colonels improve to 5-5 overall and 3-4 in Boyd action, while the Panthers fall to 4-6 overall and 2-5 in division play.
After recovering a Plymouth State fumble at the PSU38 with 14:04 remaining in the first quarter, Curry scored its first points of the game after a five-play, 38-yard drive that was capped off by a 15-yard passing touchdown from senior Mark Gilson (Mansfield, Mass.) to junior Rob Bambini (Westwood, Mass.). On the Panthers' next possession, the Colonels forced a turnover on downs and then used eight plays to march 75 yards downfield and score with an 11-yard rush by sophomore Phil Bigelow (East Orange, N.J.).
In the second quarter, Curry senior Anthony Carnevale (Oradell, N.J.) tossed two passing touchdowns. Carnevale recorded his first touchdown with 12:16 left in the second frame after connecting with junior Bruce Vieira (Pelham, N.H.) for a two-yard scoring pass. With 17 seconds remaining in the first half, Carnevale threw a 22-yard passing touchdown to Bambini to give the Colonels a 28-0 edge at intermission.
The Panthers recovered their own onside kick at the beginning of the second half, and then scored on a three-play, 55-yard drive that was capped off with a six-yard rushing touchdown by senior Chad Croteau (Weare, N.H.). Freshman Chris Frissore (Wilmington, Mass.) kicked a 28-yard field goal to give Curry a 31-7 lead with 42 seconds left in the third quarter.
In the fourth frame, Plymouth State junior Chris Rigoli (Wantagh, N.Y.) threw a 19-yard passing touchdown to senior Joel Mignault (Billerica, Mass.) with 9:55 remaining. The Colonels scored their final points of the day with 3:02 remaining in regulation after Bigelow ran 18 yards into the end zone for his second touchdown of the game.
Curry held edges in first downs (21-16) and total offensive yards (416-337), while the Panthers dominated in time of possession (38:20-21:40).
Bigelow led the Colonels on the ground with 96 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns. Gilson was 5-for-11 for 93 yards and a touchdown. Carnevale was 7-for-12 for 133 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Bambini reeled in seven receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Junior Andrew Foglia (Montauk, N.Y.) led all rushers with 175 rushing yards on 25 carries. Rigoli was 6-for-19 for 62 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also recorded 32 rushing yards on 13 carries. Mignault had three receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown.
Curry's defense was led by senior Chris Haddad (Bellingham, Mass.) with a game-high 11 total tackles (seven solo). Graduate Mike Whittaker (Milton, Mass.) recorded nine total tackles (five solo), while junior Rashad Sims (Beverly, Mass.) chipped in with eight solo tackles and three pass break-ups. Senior Derek Lussier (Ellington, Conn.) led Plymouth State's defense with nine solo tackles. Senior Bobby Lombardo (Stow, Mass.) and freshman Baylor Conde (Richmond, Va.) added four total tackles apiece.