Western New England College falls to Westfield State in President's Trophy contest
WESTFIELD, Mass. – Despite a record-breaking performance by sophomore quarterback Justin Walz (Groton, CT), the visiting Western New England College football team dropped a 34-21 decision against Westfield State Friday night (Sept. 7) in the President's Trophy contest before an announced crowd of over 3,000 fans at Alumni Field.
Westfield and Western New England combined for nearly 1,000 total yards (491 Westfield; 478 Western New England) on the hot summer evening.
Walz was a key factor completing 23-of-43 passes for a school record 369 yards and two touchdowns, including an 81-yard score to sophomore receiver Cliff Carpluk (Long Valley, NJ) that also established another school mark.
Western New England led 9-0 after the first quarter following a 22-yard field goal by junior James Farrell (East Longmeadow, MA) and a two-yard touchdown run by junior back Jordan Capitanio (Torrington, CT).
Westfield scored its first touchdown 58 seconds into the second quarter when senior tailback Dwayne Kirby (Springfield, MA) scampered five yards for a touchdown against his former teammates.
Walz, unfortunately, had three interceptions in the quarter, including one on the next possession in the end zone for a touchback following Kirby's score.
After the Golden Bears took over on downs, a key play took place in the game when senior defensive end Geoff Farrington (Belchertown, MA) picked-off a Walz pass and went 48 yards for a touchdown that led to a 14-9 advantage at half-time.
Westfield upped its margin to 20-9 in the third quarter when sophomore receiver Joe McCarthy (Waltham, MA) took a reverse handoff from junior quarterback Dan Cohen (Wilbraham, MA) and fired a 26-yard scoring strike to sophomore receiver David Benoit (Ludlow, MA). That touchdown followed the second of two fumbles by Capitanio on consecutive possesions.
Cohen, meanwhile, completed 15 of 26 passes for 280 yards with senior receiver Scott McIntrye (Bristol, CT) (seven receptions, 129 yards) and Benoit (six passes, 155 yards, two touchdowns) his favorite targets.
Western New England College scored on the final play of the third quarter when Walz hooked-up with Carpluk on the record-setting touchdown.
Westfield scored three plays later for a 27-15 advantage when Cohen found Benoit for a 60-yard touchdown strike early in the fourth period. The Owls then put the game away with a 15-play, 80-yard drive (that consumed 7:02) capped by a three-yard touchdown run by junior fullback P.J. Malone (Colrain, MA) with 3:34 left in the contest.
Western New England College scored its final points on a 36-yard TD reception from Walz to sophomore receiver Matt O’Brien (South Windsor, CT) with 2:36 remaining.
The Owls blocked three extra-point attempts in the game and almost had a defensive return for two points when sophomore Ryan Leroux (Greenfield, MA) picked-up the loose ball after the Golden Bears' first touchdown and weaved his way downfield before finally getting tackled at the WNEC 5.
Western New England College senior receiver Kevin Miculcy (Greenwich, CT) finished with five receptions for 85 yards. Sophomore defensive back Justin Gaines (Meriden, CT) and freshman linebacker Dylan Chandler (Durham, ME) each compiled seven tackles.
