Bangor, ME - Husson football bested the Privateers of SUNY Martime Saturday afternoon at the Winkin Complex by a final of 39-17. Shabashe McIntosh capped the day for the Eagles on the opening kickoff of the second half with an electric 91-yard touchdown run.
Maritime scored on their opening drive using 14 plays to march 78 yards in 7:43. The Privateers ran the ball on every play on either handoffs up the middle to Kyle Gardner and Greg Caneparo, option pitches to Frank Laino or quarterback keepers by Ryan Heizman. Heizman called his own number again on the four yard line and scampered into the endzone for the first score of the afternoon. Diogo Dietrich added the extra point to make it 7-0 SUNY Maritime.
The Eagles didn't need to long to respond, however, as Shabashe McIntosh returned the ensuing kickoff 54 yards and collected a late hit penalty on Maritime as well, setting up Husson on the Maritime 17. Joe Seccareccia ran once for two yards and Byron Jacksonran twice for 6 yards leading up to fourth and goal for Husson on the Maritime nine. McIntosh took the handoff on the next play and put it in the endzone for six. The extra point was no good leaving the score at 7-6 Maritime.
Maritime had the ball to finish the first quarter and started the second with a third and goal opportunity at the Husson one. Gardner took another handoff for the Privateers and this time scored from a yard out. Dietrich's kick was good giving Maritime a 14-6 lead.
Husson drove 58 yards on eight plays on their next drive to set up yet another McIntosh score. Ryan Dorso ran for 19 yards to the Maritime seven. McIntosh took the next handoff and ran for the score putting the Eagles within two at 14-12. On the extra point, Maritime encroached on the Husson line giving the Eagles the ball inside the 2, allowing Byron Jackson to score the two point conversion to tie the game.
Two defensive possessions later, Husson's Nelson Perez recovered a Isaiah Covington fumble to the Maritime 38. Byron Jackson took the first handoff of the series for 33 yards, giving the Eagles a first and goal at the five. Husson called Ryan Dorso's number once again and this time he scored from the two to put Husson up 20-14.
Jackson added his lone TD of the day in the second quarter to give the Eagles a 26-14 lead going into halftime. The Green and Gold started their drive on their own 44. Seccareccia dropped back on second and four at the Maritime 39 and hit Corey Palmerfor 35 yards setting up Jackson's touchdown on first and goal from the four. 26-14 Husson.
McIntosh scored his third and final touchdown on the afternoon to open the second half. McIntosh took two steps back and fielded the kick at the nine yard line. The junior tailback and kick and punt returner started up field and make a fantastic move 20 yards into his return to free him from the crowd in the middle of the field. McIntosh dashed the rest of the way in open field to score the touchdown igniting the home crowd. Husson now led 32-14.
Ryan Dorso got into the scoring action and added the final six for the Eagles in the third quarter. Dorso's impressive run for 45 and the TD would have been the play of the game if not for McIntosh's 91-yard return.
"This was just a great effort and team win by our men today," head coach Gabby Price said after the game. "All phases of the ball we played well; offense, defense and our kick game. Our young men played hard and we're really excited for the last two weeks of the regular season."
Husson improves to 5-3 overall and 4-1 in ECFC play while Maritime moves to 3-5 and 3-2 in ECFC play.
Husson will be on the road in Vermont as they take on Norwich next Saturday at 1:00pm while the Privateers host Mt. Ida in Throggs Neck, NY at 1:00 as well.
