Courtesy of: Becker Sports Information

Leicester, MA-  Becker and Castleton battled through six different lead changes, as the Spartans defeated the Hawks 49-44 Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) action.

Castleton jumped out to an early 14-0 lead on two first quarter touchdowns. The first score came when quarterback Shane Brozowski (Rensselaer, NY) connected with Randy Babineau (Milton, VT) on a 12-yard touchdown pass. Tyler Carpenter (Fort Edward, NY) added a 25-yard touchdown run, giving the Spartans the early 14-point advantage.

The Hawks jumped on the board late in the first quarter when Robert Baker (Monroe, Conn) hit Ryan Mercado (New London, Conn) a seven-yard touchdown pass, making the score 14-6. After a muffed punt attempt by the Spartans, the Hawks took over at the Castleton five-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Alan Britton (Worcester, Mass.) scampered in from five-yards out, putting the Hawks within one at 14-13.

Becker took its first lead of the game with 3:17 remaining in the first half when Jimmy Chery (Malden, Mass) scored from three-yards out. The Hawks successfully converted the two point conversion, making the score 21-14.

Castleton tied the game 57 seconds later on a 22-yard touchdown run by Carpenter. The Hawks took the lead with 14 seconds remaining in the half on a Melvin Mah (Lowell, Mass) 35-yard field goal, making the score 24-21 at the break.

The Hawks opened the second half with a ten play 59-yard drive, capped off by a ten-yard touchdown pass from Robert Baker to Ryan Grillo (Waterford, Conn). Castleton answered back with 17 play drive; which ended with a Brozowski-to-Adam Farmer (South Burlington, VT) 7-yard touchdown pass, making the score 31-28 Becker.

The Spartans regained the lead with 12:04 left in game on Carpenter's third touchdown of the game, making the score 35-31. The Hawks soared right back with on a 30-yard touchdown run from Johnattan Rivera (Dracut, Mass). After Melvin Mah missed the point after attempt, the Hawks held a 37-35 lead with just over ten minutes remaining.

Brozowski put the Spartans back in front on a quarterback keeper from one-yard out. Castleton converted the two-point conversion, making the score 43-37 with just over seven minutes remaining.

After a pass interference penalty put the Becker on the Castleton two-yard line, Thomas Pearson (Fort Washington, MD) rumbled in for a touchdown, putting the Hawks a head 44-33 with 2:21 remaining.

Castleton refused to go away, as the Spartans went 55-yards on eight plays to take the lead 49-44. The drive was completed when Brozowski connected with Anthony Simms (Ludlow, VT) in the right-hand corner of the end-zone for the winning touchdown.

Carpenter finished the day with an incredible 298 yards rushing and three touchdowns. Brozowski threw for 241 yards and three touchdown passes. Evan Cassidy (South Burlington, VT) and Farmer combined for 137 receiving yards. The Spartans defense was led by Dustin Young (Dunnellon, Fla), who made 11 tackles. Castleton improved to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the ECFC.

Jimmy Chery carried the Hawks on the ground, as he rushed for 198 –yards and a touchdown. Edward Guerrere (Monroe, Conn) led the Hawks defense with 12 tackles. Becker fell to 0-9 overall and 0-5 in ECFC.