PAXTON, Mass. – The Vermont State University Castleton football team concluded its season Saturday afternoon at Anna Maria, taking a 58-23 loss to the AMCATS.
The Spartans finish their 2023 campaign at 2-7 overall with an 0-4 Eastern Collegiate Football Conference record. League foe Anna Maria finalizes its slate at 5-4 with a 3-1 clip in ECFC play.
On the ground, VTSU Castleton topped the AMCATS with 316 rushing yards but fell victim to an offense that let passes fly often. The hosts heaved the ball 25 times to amass 264 yards through the air compared to the Spartans' 39 on just one completion.
James Galarneau went 1-for-10 passing, finding Christian Keeling for a 39-yard connection. Devin Wollner led all rushers with 123 yards, the second-best mark of his career, on 23 carries with a score. Keeling dashed for 82 yards while Josh Colegrove carried the ball on 11 occasions for 65 yards. Galarneau tallied 20 rushing yards with his first career touchdown scamper.
Kevin McDonough stacked a team-high 10 tackles while splitting a TFL with Isaiah Oufiero. Tyler Buxton made six stops in the secondary with a pass breakup. Jacob Gonzalez polished his final gridiron campaign with four tackles (three solo) including a forced fumble and a sack. Fellow linemen Robert Guerin, Mike Morrissey, and Jordan Wright made three solo tackles apiece. Connor Chilson and Ian DeTulleo each picked off the AMCATS once while Josh Peters batted away two passes.
Anna Maria quarterback Ryan Russell went 15-for-24 passing with 264 yards and four touchdowns. Deandre Wallace led the receiving corps, hauling in six catches for 101 yards and three scores. The ground game was powered by Justin Brown's 112 yards and two touchdown plunges. Malik Kirnon posted a game-high 12 tackles on defense as David Robinson logged an interception.
The Spartans struck first on their third offensive play as Keeling took an 84-yard run to the house, giving the visitors a 7-0 edge. However, the AMCATS came roaring back and scored on nine of their next 10 drives.
Following the hosts' last score, Drew Sinclair's PAT was blocked by DeTulleo and Wright scooped up the loose ball. The fifth-year Spartan carried the ball 97 yards and into the endzone, marking the program's second defensive conversion in three contests.
After the ensuing kickoff, Castleton marched into paydirt on a six-minute drive capped by an 18-yard rushing touchdown by Wollner to cut the cap to 58-16. Moments later, the AMCATS took the kickoff return into Spartan territory and a penalty put the possession at the 25-yard line. Backup signal caller Doug Jackson placed a pass into the endzone that DeTulleo snatched for a touchback.
Another long drive commenced as Galarneau's touchdown carry and a third consecutive PAT for Noah Crossman punctuated a 13-play, 80-yard drive to close proceedings at 58-23.
Castleton looks to recharge in the offseason and gear up for their first season in the MASCAC.
