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 THROGGS NECK, N.Y. (Sept. 17, 2010) – The Maritime football team (2-0) will play host to its arch-rival from across the Long Island Sound, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point (1-1) tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 18. Kickoff between the two maritime-industry schools is set for 1 p.m. at Reinhart Field.

Listen To Saturday's Game Live On The Internet!

If you can't make it out to Throggs Neck for the “Seafaring Scuffle” on Saturday, be sure to catch all the action on the Privateer Radio Network! Play-by-play man extraordinaire Matt Gregory will be calling the game from the luxurious press box at Reinhart Field. Coverage will begin approximately 20 minutes before kickoff and can be accessed by clicking here.

Privateers Will Look To Keep Bragging Rights… Especially On The High Seas!

Alumni from both schools often cross paths during their professional careers on the high seas, sometimes as far as the complete opposite side of the planet, and the Maritime graduates own the bragging rights after the first official game ever against the Mariners during the 2009 season. The Privateers traveled to Great Neck in week three and escaped with an exciting 28-21 overtime victory.

A blocked field-goal kick by then-sophomore Rob Gorgy (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata (N.J.))-DL (Hillsborough, N.J./Immaculata) as the clock ran out at the end of regulation saved Maritime from a three-point loss and forced overtime. Then-sophomore Jamie Spanopoulos (Franklin Square, N.Y./H. Frank Carey)-RB (Franklin Square, N.Y./H. Frank Carey) scored his last of three touchdowns on the day on the Privateers' first possession of OT on a one-yard run. Maritime's defense then held USMMA from scoring to tie the game on its only possession of overtime to claim the victory.

Rookie Thomas Davis (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) Looks Impressive Early… While Making History

            Freshman running back Thomas Davis (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) became the first ever Maritime player to score a touchdown three different ways during the squad's 41-28 road victory over Western Connecticut last Friday. Davis caught a 44-yard pass for his first score in the second quarter, then ran back the opening kickoff of the third quarter 80 yards for the Privateers' first ever kickoff return for a touchdown. He ended his scoring on a 29-yard run in the fourth quarter and then ran in a two-point conversion to give Maritime a 35-21 lead.

 That performance, added to week one's game-winning touchdown on a five-yard run late in the fourth quarter, has Davis leading the Privateers in scoring early in the season with 26 points, more than double sophomore Fritz Jean (Palm Coast, Fla./Palm Coast (Fla.))-RB (Palm Coast, Fla./Palm Coast) who ranks second on the squad with 12 points. In total, Davis leads the squad in all-purpose yards with 251 yard (48 rushing, 48 receiving and 155 kick returning).

Davis also made Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) history by becoming the first player to earn two weekly awards in the same week. He was named the ECFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second straight week and also earned Rookie of the Week accolades for his spectacular performance.

Full Kudos To The Entire Special Teams Unit For First Ever Touchdown Return

The Maritime football team couldn't have asked for a better time to record its first ever kickoff return for a touchdown. Thomas Davis (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) returned the ball 80 yards for the score on the opening kickoff of the second half, just 36 game seconds after Western Connecticut scored late at the end of the first half to tie the score at 14-all.

Davis would not have made the feat possible without the help of his fellow special teams unit: Greg McGough (Edgewater, Md./Blessed Trinity (Ga.)), Church Pfeil, John Shannon (Rockville Center, N.Y./Oceanside), Pat Lasher (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford), Thomas Boney (Jacksonville, Fla./University Christian (Fla.)), Alexander Todd (Merrick, N.Y./Calhoun), Joe Brown (Huntington Station, N.Y./Huntington), Joe Guerra (Bronx, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac), James Falkenstern (Northvale, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan (N.J.)) and John Gagliano (Islip Terrace, N.Y./St. Anthony's) all had a hand in the history.

Roman Records Three Turnovers In Week Two Victory… Privateers Force Six In Total

            Senior co-captain Steve Roman (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph's by the Sea)-DB (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph's by the Sea) recorded three turnovers during the Privateers 41-28 week two victory at Western Connecticut. The 5-11, 178-pounder forced a second quarter fumble that he recovered and the picked a pass on the Colonials' very next drive. He also recorded a fourth-quarter interception that sealed the victory of Maritime. Roman ended the day with a team-best six tackles, all solo, including a sack for a loss of eight yards.

            In total, the Privateer defense forced six WestConn turnovers. Junior Sean Wiggers (Norwood, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan (N.J.))-DB (Norwood, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan) forced and recovered a fumble, while junior Jonathan Carberry (New York, N.Y./New Utrecht)-LB (New York, N.Y./New Utrecht) and sophomore Pat Lasher (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford)-LB (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) each recorded interceptions.

Dickey Still Leads Total Offensive Yards

            Sophomore quarterback Joe Dickey (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North (N.J.)) (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) is the Privateers leader in total offense with 235 yards. He ranks second on the team with 131 rushing yards and is 9-for-27 in completions for 104 passing yards. Junior Jamie Spanopoulos (Franklin Square, N.Y./H. Frank Carey) is the team's leading rusher with 155 yards, while Thomas Davis (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) is the leading receiver with 48 yards. Sophomore Erik Heedles (Staten Island, N.Y./New Dorp)-WR (Staten Island, N.Y./New Dorp) has a team-best three receptions for 28 yards.

Scouting The Mariners Of USMMA At Kings Point

            The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy is coming off a low-scoring, 10-8 loss to their rivals the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in week two up in New London, Conn. However, in week one, the Mariners pulled off an exciting come-from-behind 35-34 victory over Gallaudet on a last-second passing touchdown.

             USMMA is led by sixth-year head coach Mike Toop, who will look to improve on last season's 4-6 overall record. It's 2-5 record in Liberty League action left the Mariners tied for sixth place in the conference.

            Senior quarterback Derrick Ventre is 35-for-77 for 314 passing yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions so far for Kings Point. He has taken every snap for the squad. Classmate, running back Karl Heimbrock leads the Mariners in rushing with 259 yards and has recorded three touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Alex Coviello is USMMA's leading receiver with 88 yards on nine receptions, but freshman Chaise Dunn leads the squad with two receiving touchdowns.

Receive Maritime Football News To Your E-mail

If you would like to receive the most up-to-date news and information about the Maritime football team, including all press releases, please send an e-mail to Joe Guster at jguster@sunymaritime.edu with the subject “Football E-mails.”

Follow Maritime Athletics On Facebook And Twitter!

Alumni, fans, family and friends now have new ways to keep up with the latest Maritime sports news – Twitter and Facebook! Privateer supporters can logon to the Internet and receive the latest updates on every Maritime sports team, either online or via their mobile phone with Twitter. Visit www.twitter.com/MtimePrivateers or http://www.facebook.com/MaritimePrivateers to start following today!