Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
ONEONTA, NY – Quarterback John Garcia (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) and wide receiver Brad Garcia (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) combined for 255 yards and four touchdowns to guide Hartwick football to a 34-23 victory over visiting Western Connecticut State on Saturday night at Wright Stadium.
John Garcia threw for 422 yards and five touchdowns on 24 completions on the day. Brad Garcia made 12 catches for his 255 receiving yards and four trips to the end zone. Travis Samuels (New City, NY/Clarkstown North) also made one touchdown reception of 71 yards for the Hawks.
The Garcias connected for three touchdown passes of 32, 66, and 21 yards in the opening half as the Hawks grabbed a 21-7 lead over the Colonials at the break.
A bomb to Samuels for his touchdown reception gave 'Wick a 28-7 advantage in the third. A safety followed by a seven-play, 52-yard touchdown drive in 2:55, however, brought the Colonials back to a 12-point deficit, 28-16.
Another Garcia connection late in the third extended the Hawks' lead to 18 points before Western Connecticut answered early in the fourth with a nine-yard touchdown run.
The Colonials were deep in 'Wick territory twice later in the fourth quarter but they came away with no points. The Colonials drove 64 yards in four minutes to the Hartwick one but were stuffed on the goal-line on fourth down with 5:21 left.
After getting the ball back, they drove to the Hartwick 16 but were stopped on three straight plays. A Colonial field goal sailed wide left giving the ball back to the Hawks and they ran the clock out for the victory.
The two teams combined for 901 yards of offense with the Hawks outgaining the Colonials, 456-445.
Defensively for 'Wick, linebacker Nick Sorrenti (Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell) led the Hawks in tackles with 10. He also had a tackle for a loss and a pass defended. Matthew Ali (Sayville, NY/Sayville) added nine hits, three for a loss of 17 yards, including two sacks. Chris Mercieca (Centereach, NY/Centereach) contributed seven tackles and one sack.
The Hawks continue their home stand next Saturday as they host the Apprentice School out of Newport News, VA. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at Wright Stadium.