UTICA, NY - The Pioneer football team rallied from a 6-3 halftime deficit to defeat the visiting Eagles of Husson College by a 23-6 score on Saturday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano stadium.
The Utica win improved the team's record to a perfect 2-0 on the season, while Husson lost its season-opener to fall to 0-1. Â Â
Junior
Michael Blanchfield (Hoosick Falls, NY/Cambridge) put the Pioneers on the board first with a 24-yard field goal late in the first quarter. The Eagles, however, would respond early in the second quarter with their only score of the day, a nine-yard touchdown run by Darius Charlton.
The second half of competition was dominated by a Pioneer team that found the end zone on three separate occasions and shutdown a Husson offensive that completed only four passes all afternoon.
Scoring for Utica in the second half was senior fullback
Paul Hart (Whitesboro, NY/Oriskany), who drove in a rushing touchdown from two yards out, sophomore running back
Mike Capra (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady), who capped off a 14-play, 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run, and sophomore wide receiver
John Slopnick (Mohawk, NY/Mohawk), who secured a 45-yard end zone delivery from junior quarterback
Nick Martin (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy).
Martin completed 16 of his 24 attempts for 198 total yards and two interceptions to account for the Pioneers' passing game, while Capra took 19 carries for 79 yards to highlight the team's rushing attack. Sophomore receiver
James Proniewych (Medford, NY/Patchogue-Medford) caught six passes for 81 yards to lead all receivers on the day.
Sophomore defensive back
Bryan Johnson (Bristol, PA/Bristol) managed eight tackles and one fumble recovery and senior defensive back
Dominic Tripp (Utica, NY/New Hartford) finished the afternoon with four tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception to lead the Pioneer defensive unit. Senior linebacker
William Pluff (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore West) contributed a team-high nine tackles and freshman linebacker
Rayon Mattis (Corona, NY/Lawrence Academy) added seven tackles.
The win marks the first time in program history that the Pioneers have opened the season with back-to-back victories.
