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Owls Football Clips Falcons, 26-7

Alijah Ellis (file photo/RJBSports.com)
Alijah Ellis (file photo/RJBSports.com)

Freshman running back Leesando Colon erupted for 132 rushing yards and two td's and junior safety Alijah Ellis came up with a pair of interceptions to lead Westfield State football to its first win of the season, 26-7 over Fitchburg State at Elliot Field on Saturday to spoil the Falcons' homecoming game.

Westfield State trailed 7-6 at the half, but put together a strong second half to pull away from the Falcons.

Westfield, which had played four teams receiving votes in the national poll and two New England-ranked teams in their first six games, improves to 1-7 on the season and 1-5 in the MASCAC while heading into their bye week.

Colon's 14-yard run midway through the third quarter staked the Owls to a 13-6 lead they would never surrender.

Westfield added a 1-yard TD scramble from senior QB Andrew Peltier, and a 4-yard TD run from Shane Clark to cap the scoring.

Ellis ended a pair of Fitchburg's fourth-quarter drives with interceptions.  With Westfield up 20-7, the Falcons marched to the Owls' 25-yard line at the start of the fourth quarter, but Ellis came up with the pick and an 18 yard return to end the threat.

Two drives later, again the Falcons again pushed the ball to the Westfield 25, but Ellis came up with his second interception of the day to preserve the Westfield lead at 26-7 with 7:08 to play.

Westfield Senior cb Jack Buckley added another interception late.

Senior LB Joe Mazzotta led Westfield with 14 tackles, with George Cole adding 12 stops.

Shane Clark added 72 yards rushing, as the Owls' offense did the majority of their damage with the ground game.    Peltier finished just 3-13 passing for 60 yards.  Kevin Faughnan caught two of those passes for 58 yards.

Fitchburg is now 1-7 overall and 0-6 in the MASCAC.  Fitchburg State was led by sophomore Steven Lawton, who ran for a season high 144 yards on 30 carries. Sophomore Joseph Haskins had four catches for 66 yards receiving.