THROGGS NECK, N.Y. (Oct. 6, 2012) – The Maritime football team used five rushing touchdowns to defeat ECFC Conference opponent Becker College, 33-7, Saturday afternoon at Reinhart Field. The victory is the Privateers' first in conference action and moves their record to 2-3 (1-1 ECFC), while the Hawks fall to 2-3 (1-1 ECFC) as well.
Before the game, there was a very special Military Appreciation Day Ceremony with a jumbo flag, the playing of each of the Military Branches' service hymns by the SUNY Maritime Regimental Band, and an award that saw Building Homes for Heroes and Chase awarding a mortgage-free home in Kissimmee, Fla. to U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Jeremy Kelley. There were also numerous information booths and static displays on hand for the fans' enjoyment, as well as a halftime performance by the Saffron United Pipe Band.
On the field, juniors Gary Bigham-FB (Jacksonville, Fla./The Bolles) and Tyler Trodden-QB (Putnam Valley, N.Y./Kennedy Catholic) took turns scoring the first four touchdowns for Maritime, with Bigham getting on the board first at 8:41 of the opening quarter when he ran in a one-yard TD. Trodden gave the Privateers a 13-0 lead at 3:57 of the second quarter after a one-yard run of his own and the PAT was just wide. Bigham again ran in yet another one-yard touchdown, this with eight seconds to go in the half and a blocked PAT gave the Privateers a 19-0 lead that they took into the locker rooms for halftime.
Trodden found the end zone at 9:33 of the third quarter after a 19-yard run and freshman Diogo Dietrich's (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil/DePaul Catholic) PAT was good to put Maritime ahead, 26-0. The Privateers scored their final touchdown of the day when freshman Zach Chilcott (Ulster Park, N.Y./Kingston) found an opening for a 30-yard run to the house and the PAT was good once again to give the home team the 33-0 lead.
Becker scored on their final drive of the day, when sophomore Joe Matranga caught a 12-yard pass from freshman Dylan McGuire. The point after by freshman Danielle Reyes was good.
Bigham was the leading rusher on the day with 102 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Joe Guerra (Bronx, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) was second among all players with 60 yards. Trodden ended the day with 34 rushing yards and two scores and was also 3-for-7 for 45 yards passing.
On defense, senior Keith Barnes (Westbury, N.Y./Westbury) led all players with 12 tackles (five solo and seven assisted), while sophomore Duke Alvora (Harrison, N.Y./Harrison) ended the day with five tackles.
For the Hawks, junior quarterback Robert Baker was 17-for-33 for 154 yards and one interception. Sophomore Corinthian Bostic was Becker's leading receiver with six catches for 62 yards. Reyes and freshman Josh Lawrence were tied for the team-lead with eight tackles apiece.
Maritime is back in action next Saturday, Oct. 13, when the Privateers travel to Paxton, Mass., to take on Anna Maria. Game time is scheduled for 2 p.m. at AMCAT Field.
