Box Score THROGS NECK, NY – The SUNY Maritime Privateers evened their record at 4-4, giving themselves a chance to finish the season above .500 for the first time in program history. The Privateers defeated the Hawks of Becker College 36-26 this afternoon, pushing the Hawks to a 2-6 overall record. Today's game was also senior day at Maritime, who will be graduating two players from the squad. Greg Campisi (Lynbrook, NY/Lynbrook) (Lynbrook, NY/Lynbrook) and Billy Hickey (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert)were acknowledged prior to the game.
As usual if the Privateers win the toss, they elected to receive to start the game. Unfortunately, Becker held them to a three-and-out, allowing only 4 yards on the drive. The Hawks didn't wait long to score either, as Gabriel Prophet connected with Acie Johnson on the first play from scrimmage for an 81 yard score to set the tone early. The point after was blocked by John Bonner (Baltimore, Md./Delaney) (Timonium, MD/Dulaney) to keep the score 6-0.
The Privateers answered right back, with a 15 play, 67 yard drive that culminated in freshman quarterback Anthony Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's)'s (Islip Terrace, NY/St. Anthony's) first rushing touchdown of the season. The drive featured James Spanopolous (Franklin Square, NY/H.Frank Carey) on the ground, rushing 9 times for 40 yards. The extra point by David Kittinger (Fort Myers, Fla./South Fort Myers (Fla.)) (Fort Myers, FL/South Fort Myers) gave the Privateers the 7-6 edge over the Hawks.
The following possession for the Hawks took the rest of the first quarter, and 4 plays into the second, before they regained the lead. Prophet completed his second touchdown pass on the afternoon, once again to Acie Johnson. This touchdown covered 18 yards on a third and eleven play from scrimmage. The hawks tried a two-point conversion, but their rush attempt failed, leaving the score 12-7 in favor of the visitors.
Maritime tried to switch things up a bit, passing on first down, but the pass was intercepted by Ronald Burgess. With the ball and a 5 point lead, the Hawks started their drive from their own 21 yardline with 12:49 to go in the half. Two incomplete passes, and an unsuccessful third down conversion attempt forced Becker to punt the ball. James Falkenstern (Northvale, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan (N.J.)) (Northvale, NJ/Northern Valley Old Tappan) got his hand on the ball, partially deflecting it, which resulted in only a 25 yard punt. With starting field position at midfield, the Privateers were setup nicely to take the lead back, especially when Gagliano took the first snap and pitched it to his brother John Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) who turned the corner and brought the ball all the way to the 9 yardline (41 yard rush). The Becker defense tightened up though, forcing Maritime into a 4th and goal situation from the 2 yardline. A pitch to Robert Nichols (Ossining (NY)/Ossining) (Ossining, NY/Ossining) was not enough, as the Hawks took over on downs.
With the whole field in front of them, the Hawks got to work offensively. Prophet connected with his favorite receiver on the afternoon, Johnson, for a 45 yard gain to give the offense some breathing room. A few rushes and a key 4th and 1 conversion on the ground by Prophet kept the ball with the Hawks. The offense needed only two more plays after the 4th down conversion to score, as Prophet connected on his third touchdown pass , this time to Jacques Faublas from 35 yards away. The extra point made the score 19-7.
The Privateers didn't back down though, as another squib kick gave them great field position to start. Both Gagliano brothers hooked up on the same play that got the 41 in the last possession, this time it gave the Privateers a 23 yard gain all the way to the Becker 20. Anthony Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) punched the ball in for this second rushing score from two yards out, pulling the Privateers to within 5 at 19-14. Just when it looked like Becker might go down and score again, the Privateer secondary stepped up to intercept a pass. Andrew Miller (Marietta, GA/Kell (GA)) (Marietta, GA/Kell) got his first interception of the season, preventing the Hawks from scoring on the ball that was thrown to the endzone. Starting from the 8 yardline, the Privateers didn't have enough time to score again, although they certainly tried. Anthony Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) rushed for 30 yards and David O'Connor (Carmel, NY/Carmel) (Carmel, NY/Carmel) had a 13 yard gain, but time expired before anything could come of it. The teams went into the locker room with Becker leading 19-14.
The second half began with a three-and-out from the Becker offense, and a punt that forced the Privateers to start within their own 20. Maritime began to put a drive together, but the Becker defense stepped up to sack Gagliano and also force a fumble, as he was hit from behind before he could tuck the ball. Lysander Amado forced the fumble and the Becker defense recovered. A short field for the Hawks made it easy for them to score, as Prophet connected on his 4th touchdown pass, once again to Jacques Faublas. Becker seemed to be pulling away, now with a 26-14 edge.
The next drive for the Privateers proved to be the turning point in the game, as Maritime used a trick play to catch the Hawks out of position. After 3 rushes and a first down, senior Greg Campisi (Lynbrook, NY/Lynbrook) took the pitch in what looked like a regular option play, but instead of turning the corner, he pulled back and looked downfield. Wide open was senior teammate Billy Hickey (Hamilton, N.J./Steinert) and Campisi placed it perfectly into his hands for a touchdown. The 32 yard pitch and catch brought the score to 26-21.
Both seniors working together seemed to light a fire under the Privateers, as the defense came out and forced a three and out, even after jumping offsides to give the Hawks 5 free yards. Maritime was also forced into a punt, but the defense was given enough time to rest before coming out once more in the third quarter. Yet another three and out forced a punt by Becker. This time, Sean Wiggers (Norwood, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan (N.J.)) (Norwood, NJ/Northern Valley Old Tappan) got a hand on it, although the punt traveled 34 yards thanks to a favorable bounce.
With time running out in the quarter, the Privateers started their drive from their 43 yardline. Anthony Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) kept the drive alive with a 5 yard gain on third down, then found his brother John down the field for a 36 yard touchdown reception. Anthony then stepped up and completed a pass for a successful two point conversion, giving the Privateers their first lead since the first quarter, 29-26.
The fourth quarter started with Maritime intercepting another pass, this time by Ryan Leary (Tavares, FL/Tavares (FL)) (Tavares, FL/Tavares) at the Privateer 3 yardline. Needing to take time off the clock and move the ball, the Privateers did just that, orchestrating a 15 play, 97 yard drive that took 7:55 off the clock. The Hawk defense got a large dose of Spanopolous, who ran the ball 11 times, gaining no less than 3 on each carry. Spanopolous fittingly ended the drive, punching it in from 5 yards away on a first and goal attempt. That proved to be the final score, as Maritime forced a turnover on downs on the next possession, thanks largely to a 13 yard sack from Robert Gorgy (Hillsborough, NJ/Immaculata) and Nico Tulley (Smithtown, N.Y./Smithtown West) (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West).
The Privateers finish the season next weekend at Mount Ida College, in Newton, MA. The noon game could be Maritime's chance for their first ever winning season. The two teams played a tough game last season in Throgs Neck, with Mount Ida coming away with a 44-38 overtime victory. Currently, the Mustangs are 3-5 overall.
