Box Score THROGS NECK, NY – The Privateer football team lost their second game of the season this afternoon, to Randolph Macon College (1-2), 30-21. Maritime played most of the game from behind, but came on strong towards the end. Unfortunately, time ran out for the Privateers, who fell to 1-2 on the season.
After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, the Privateers made an opening statement, driving 53 yards on 13 plays for the score. The drive was highlighted by a 15 yard touchdown reception from Michael Smooke (Land O'Lakes, FL/East Lake (FL)) (Land O'Lakes, FL/East Lake) freshman James Falkenstern (Northvale, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan (N.J.)) (Northvale, NJ/Northern Valley Old Tappan). The touchdown reception was the first for Falkenstern on the season, and the first for Smoke through the air.
The early 7-0 lead was short lived though, as the Yellow Jackets took the ensuing kickoff down the field and notched a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3. With the lead in hand, the Privateers took the next kickoff to their 26 yard line and began their march down the field. All looked to be well, as Smooke busted out a 10 yard gain on the drive's first play. After another first down, and a Greg Campisi (Lynbrook, NY/Lynbrook) (Lynbrook, NY/Lynbrook) 7 yard dash, the Privateers looked to be working the ball down the field again, sitting on second and eight to go at midfield. Smooke took the snap from center, rolled to his right, and as he was about to get hit, looked to pitch the ball. Rather than go for the quarterback, defender Eric Dardozzi moved off Smooke and intercepted the pitch. With no one in front of him, he walked into the endzone to give the Yellow Jackets their first lead 10-7.
Defense took over for both teams over the next few possessions, and the Privateers were forced to punt away their final 3 possessions of the half. However, the Privateer defense kept the game close, stopping Randolph Macon not once, but twice inside the redzone over the last 3 Yellow Jackets possessions. After a 10 play, 47 yard drive, the Yellow Jackets were knocking on the door on the Maritime 15, but the Privateer defense held strong, forcing two incompletions to put the ball back into the offense's hands. Their second redzone stop came with 1:11 to go in the half. With Randolph Macon on the 5 yard line, ready to punch it in, the Privateer defense forced, and recovered, a fumble to deny the Jackets their third touchdown of the half. The Yellow Jackets took a 16-7 lead into the locker room.
The second half started with more tough defense, as both teams were forced to punt their first possession of the third quarter. Randolph Macon's second possession of the quarter went 80 yards on 11 plays, giving them a 23-7 cushion. However, the Privateers never gave up, and put on a 74 yard, 15 play touchdown drive of their own. The key play to that drive was a 4th down and 1 to go from the Macon 14 yard line. Smooke took the snap, faked a handoff, and followed his blockers into the middle of the field. Smooke went into the pile of players, and just when it looked like he was tackled, he slipped away and came out the other end of the pile, running for 10 yards and setting his team up in prime scoring position. It took James Spanopolous (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey) two attempts, but he was able to score at put the Privateers back in the game at 23-13. Without hesitation, the Privateers lined up for the two point conversion, and Spanopolous took the handoff and walked into the endzone, practically untouched. The lead was cut down to 23-15, a one possession game with just over 10 minutes to play.
Having seen their lead cut to 8, the Yellow Jackets took their next possession and scored, thanks to Zak Thornton who rushed 4 times for 36 yards and the touchdown from 12 yards out. Thornton finished the game with 180 yards on the ground, averaging 6.7 a carry.
The Privateers got the ball back with just under 6 minutes left, and used the next 4:49 to drive 80 yards on 12 plays. Smooke carried the ball 7 times on the drive, including a 17 yard burst thanks to a key block by Campisi on the outside. Once again, the Privateers were faced with a 4th down in the redzone, and again converted on a Smooke carry. On the 14 yard line, the Privateers pulled a trick play out of the bag, with Smooke pitching to Campisi, who faked the run, dropped back, and passed. Campisi found a wide open John Gould (Westbury, NY/Clark) (Westbury, NY/Clark) in the endzone, cutting the lead to 9 (30-21). Rather than take the extra point, the Privateers decided to try for two. With only 55 seconds remaining, Spanopolous was denied the two point conversion. A failed onside kick left the Yellow Jackets with the ball, and they took a knee for the win.
Smooke led the Privateer rushing attack, with 170 yards on 26 carries and a long of 25. He was 3-3 through the air, passing for a touchdown of 15 yards. Campisi finished with 25 rushing yards, and a touchdown pass of 14 yards. Defensively, Ryan Leary (Tavares, FL/Tavares (FL)) (Tavares, FL/Tavares) led the team with 11 tackles. Captain Michael Oehl (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown West) (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown West) recorded 7.5 tackles, including one for a loss. Pat Mangum (Pasadena, MD/Archbishop Spalding) broke up 3 passes and recorded a tackle on the corner.
The Yellow Jackets were led on the ground by Thornton with 180 yards on 27 carries. Austin Faulkner was 19-28 through the air, for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Privateers are home next Saturday at 1:30 PM. The homecoming game will be played against Norwich University.
