KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Sept. 15, 2012) – The Maritime football team lost to Kings Point Saturday afternoon for the first time in the short rivalry, 19-14, at the Mariners' Captain James Harvey Tomb Field at Brooks Stadium. The defeat drops the Privateers to an even 1-1 on the season, while USMMA improves to 2-1.
"Hats off to Merchant Marine, as their offense dominated the time of possession and made the key plays when they needed to," said Maritime head coach Clayton Kendrick-Holmes. "They also had a big day on special teams, getting some big returns on us and our turnover on the punt after the half was critical. I was proud of our team and how we fought. We gave ourselves a chance at the end to win, but just didn't get it done."
Maritime wasted little time getting on the board, scoring on the third play from scrimmage in the first quarter when junior quarterback Tyler Trodden (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Kennedy Catholic) hooked up with senior Anthony Patti (Merrick, N.Y./Calhoun) on a 66-yard TD pass. Freshman Diogo Dietrich's (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/DePaul Catholic) PAT was good to give the Privateers a 7-0 lead just 1:06 into play.
The Mariners responded later in the first quarter when sophomore QB Luke Stidham found the end zone on a six-yard run and the extra point tied the game up at 7-7 with 3:41 to go in the opening quarter.
Neither team managed to score the rest of the first half, with Kings Point coming the closest early in the second quarter when the Mariners reached the Maritime four-yard line. However, KP was unable to convert on a fourth down play. The two teams went into the halftime break still tied at 7-7.
In the third quarter, USMMA took advantage of a Maritime fumble off a punt return and started a drive at the Privateers' 39-yard line. The Mariners charged up the field and Stidham ran in a one-yard TD. A missed extra point put Kings Point ahead 13-7.
USMMA freshman kicker Daniel Kennedy converted a 28-yard field goal at 8:02 of the fourth quarter to put KP ahead, 16-7. Maritime responded on the next drive, as Gary Bigham (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles) scored on a three-yard run to cap off a 10-play, 68-yard drive and bring the Privateers to within two points, 16-14. Kings Point junior Connor Kennedy returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards to the Maritime 16-yard line, but four plays later the Mariners had to settle for a 27-yard field goal to push the lead to 19-14.
Maritime's last chance came when the Privateers got the ball with 2:58 to go in the fourth. However, after four plays, they were unable to move the ball for a first down and USMMA took over on downs. The Mariners gained a first down after four plays and were able to let the clock run out for the victory.
On defense, seniors Keith Barnes (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) and Pat Lasher (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) both led all players with 16 tackles apiece. Barnes also forced a fumble, while Lasher recorded one tackle for a loss of four yards. For Kings Point, junior Michael Biehn had a team-high nine tackles.
Maritime returns to action next Saturday, Sept. 22, when the squad opens ECFC action on the road against Castleton St. Game time is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Spartan Field in Castleton, Vt.
