Box Score
Box Score
 
        WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 11, 2011) – The Maritime football team defeated Gallaudet University, 21-14, Friday night on the road at the Bison's Hotchkiss Field in the 2011 regular season finale. The win improved the Privateers record to 8-2 (6-1 ECFC), while Gallaudet fell to 5-5 (4-3 ECFC) with the loss.
 
        “Tonight was a great game all around – on offense, defense and special teams,” said head-coach Clayton Kendrick-Holmes. “I'm so proud of our seniors. For as much as they have done for our program, they deserved to go out with a win.”

        Senior Jamie Spanopoulos (Franklin Square, N.Y./H. Frank Carey) (Franklin Square, N.Y./H. Frank Carey) led all players in the game with 179 rushing yards and two scores. The fullback also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season, moving to 1,088 yards over the 10 games, which is a program-high for rushing yards in a season. Junior Fritz Jean (Palm Coast, Fla./Palm Coast (Fla.)) (Palm Coast, Fla./Palm Coast) scored Maritime's other touchdown in the fourth quarter, which wound up being the game-winner.
 
        The Privateer defense was strong in the first half, as the unit allowed Gallaudet just three first downs, forced two three-and-out situations and intercepted two passes in the second quarter – the first by junior Keith Barnes (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) and the other by senior Sean Wiggers (Norwood, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan (N.J.)) (Norwood, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan). However, the offense was unable to put points on the board and the teams went into the locker rooms with the game scoreless at the half.
 
        Spanopoulos found the end zone on the Privateers' opening drive of the third quarter, wrapping up an eight-play, 44-yard drive with a five-yard run at 10:44. Senior Madison Leary (Tavares, Fla./Tavares)'s (Tavares, Fla./Tavares) extra point kick was good to give Maritime a 7-0 lead. Senior Steve Roman (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph's by the Sea) (Staten Island, N.Y./St. Joseph by the Sea) would pick up an interception on the ensuing Bison drive, but Maritime was unable to cash in on the turnover.
 
        The Privateers gained possession again towards the end of the third quarter after a three-and-out that saw sophomore Church Pfeil (Fort Montgomery, N.Y./James I. O'Neil) sack Gallaudet quarterback, junior Anthony Palmer, on third down for a loss of eight yards. When Maritime took over, Spanopoulos would score again on a four-yard run at 14:29 of the fourth quarter at the end of a seven-play, 32-yard drive. Leary's PAT put the Privateers ahead 14-0.
 
        The Bison replied with a touchdown on their ensuing drive on a 48-yard pass from Palmer to junior Ryan Bonheyo to cut the Maritime lead to 14-7, but the Privateers answered right back on their next drive when Jean scored on a four-yard run with 7:02 left in the fourth to put his team back up by two scores, 21-7. Gallaudet scored once more with 1:07 left on a one-yard run by freshman Vianney Boum Yamb and tried to get the ball back with an on-side kick, but the Privateers landed on the ball and held on for the victory.

        Sophomore quarterback Tyler Trodden (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Kennedy Catholic) (Putnam Valley, N.Y./JFK Catholic) ended the night with 66 rushing yards and 47 passing yards on 3-of-8 completions. Pfiel led Maritime on defense with nine tackles, including two for combined losses of 10 yards. Sophomore Adrian Mack (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) (Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore) and Barnes were tied for second on the squad with four tackles apiece.
 
        The Privateers will now await their fate, as the NCAA will unveil the field of 32-teams for the NCAA Tournament on Sunday afternoon. The only chance Maritime has of making the national playoffs would be by way of an at-large bid, as the squad failed to earn the ECFC's automatic qualifier. The Privateers own an 8-1 record against East Region opponents, though the field of 32 teams will be tight.