By Michaela Gates, Staff Writer
It was a tough opening week for the Corsairs football team as four turnovers doomed them in a home loss against the Mt. Ida Mustangs.
However, the Corsairs would not be denied in week two as they stomped out the Westfield State Owls in their MASCAC opener.
The Owls were 0-2 heading into their game against the Corsairs, however they were not to be taken lightly as they are always perennial contenders within the MASCAC and have beaten the Corsairs in their last two meetings.
It was evident right from the beginning of the game that the Corsairs were playing with something to prove as kick-returner DaVon Fuller took back the opening kickoff 90 yards to the end zone for a Corsair touchdown.
Fuller, a senior and Washington, D.C., native, exploded out of the gate like a bat out of hell and it was obvious that no one was going to catch him as he was clearly the fastest man on the field.
The Corsairs silenced Westfield quickly defensively as the Owls offense was nowhere to be found on the first drive as they ended up going three and out, forcing them to punt back to the Corsairs.
The Corsairs’ offense made quick work of the Westfield defense as they went off averaging just under fifteen yards per play on the drive. The offensive drive went for 68 yards on five plays and ended with a passing touchdown thrown by first-year quarterback Stephen Gacioch connected with junior Abbi Bamgbose for 19 yard pass.
The touchdown gave the Corsairs a 14 point lead and a head full of confidence. Late in the first quarter the Corsairs got the ball again and found the same magic as the first drive. They marched down the field in just four plays averaging ten yards every play.
This magnificent drive was capped by another Bamgbose-Gacioch touchdown, though this one was only for 11 yards.
Westfield would not go quietly into the night though as they managed to score a crucial touchdown just before the end of the half to make the score 21-7 in favor of the Corsairs.
The Owls managed to do the same thing once again to open up the third quarter which pulled them to within a single touchdown.
What everyone in the crowd had assumed would be a blowout was quickly turning into a very competitive game as the score sat at 21-14 with plenty of time left in the half. However, Gacioch orchestrated a six play, 80-yard drive that was capped off with a touchdown pass to junior receiver Jeremy Jackson.
Westfield found an answer though and managed to score again making the score of the game a very tight 28-20.
However, just when it seemed that Westfield might have a shot, the Corsair defense slammed the door shut completely on Westfield and managed to boast a scoreless fourth quarter.
The same could not be said about the Corsairs as they ended up putting another 33 points on the board during the game to win 51-20.
Senior Michal Slaughter would add a rushing touchdown, while Gacioch would grab two more for himself.
Gacioch’s performance garnered him MASCAC Rookie of the Week honors. The Corsairs will continue MASCAC play on Saturday at Plymouth State against the Panthers!