Football Claws Back to get First Win of the Season

PAXTON, Mass: The Anna Maria Football team beat conference opponent Castleton University this afternoon with a late drive to go up 31-24 and claim their first victory in the regular season and in conference play in Rutland Vermont.

Castleton University (1-4, 0-1 ECFC), Anna Maria (1-5, 1-1 ECFC)

After being down 17 early to the Spartans AMCAT quarterback Alex Cohen (Plymouth, Mass.) took over and brought Anna Maria on a 24-0 run going 26-38 for 314 yards and 3 touchdown passes to one interception and 32 rushing yards with a rushing touchdown. Cohen was able to spread the wealth as he completed passes to ten different receivers. Marcelino Da Veiga (Central Fall, RI) was his favorite as he caught six passes for 79 yards and the winning touchdown. Hayden Braga (Foster, RI) had very similar numbers as he caught five passes for 76 yards and a score. Cohens other touchdown pass was to Jadan Battle (Waterbury, Conn.) who was able to catch three for eleven yards and the score.

The AMCATS were able to tally 131 rushing yards on the day as time in the back field was split between Jalin Hudson (Syracuse, N.Y.) and Vincent Marrone (Wayne, N.J.). Hudson carried 16 times for 59 yards as Marrone had just 11 carries for 38 yards.

Castleton managed to get 475 yard of total offense to Anna Maria 445 yards as they combine for 920 yards. The Spartans were led through the air by quarterback Jacob McCarthy who was 14-31 with 259 yards with a touchdown pass with two picks. Their number one receiver on the day was Ryan Barry who caught 7 passes for 96 yards. Castleton's run game was all Moe Harris as he carried the ball 31 times and put up 204 yards in through the course of the game.

Defensively the AMCATS had two players come up with takeaways, Amirh Brackett-White (Middletown, Conn.) and Nedrion Payne (Waterbury, Conn.).

Castleton's defense was led by Seth Gewanter who accumulated 12 tackles and an interception on the day.

The Spartans will be traveling to DC to play the bison of Gallaudet next Saturday at 12:00 PM.

Anna Maria will be back after their bye week on the 20^th as they travel to take on Husson University, with action starting at 1:00 PM.