NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- The Vermont State Castleton football team traveled to Virginia to face #8/10 Christopher Newport in New Jersey Athletic Conference play on Saturday. The Captains defeated the Spartans 63-6
The Basics
- Final Score: CNU 63, VTSU Castleton 6
- Location: TowneBank Stadium – Newport News, Va.
- Records: Christopher Newport 7-0, (4-0 NJAC) | Castleton 2-5 (0-4 NJAC)
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How It Happened
Castleton won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Spartan defense forced the Captains to punt as their drive stalled just past midfield. Castleton's first drive ended in its own territory as it gave possession back to the Captains. CNU drove down the VTSU 10 where Brandon Pena completed a 10-yard touchdown to Braylon Addy. The extra point made it 7-0 at 8:47.
The Spartans had to punt for a second time. CNU responded as Addy ran 16 yards for the touchdown. The Captains added to their lead with another touchdown less than 30 seconds into the second quarter to go up 21-0.
On Castleton's next drive,
Will Coon (Hudson Falls, NY/Hudson Falls) was sacked and fumbled to set up the Captains at the VTSU 18-yard line. Pena ran it into the endzone from 12 yards out to put the home team ahead 28-0.
Christopher Newport would lead 42-0. Castleton did get some offense going as on third and three from its own 32-yard line,
Anthony Cavalieri (Rutland, Vt./Mount Saint Joseph's Academy) connected with
Max Cutler (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional HS) on a screen pass and Cutler dashed down the sideline and into the endzone for the Spartan's first score of the day.
Zach Dragon's (Sudbury, Vt./Otter Valley Union HS) extra point attempt failed and the score stood at 42-6 with 1:46 remaining in the second quarter. The Captains scored one more time to go into the locker room up 49-6.
The two teams exchanged punts to start the third quarter. Castleton's second drive of the second half ended when Cavalieri was intercepted by the Captains' Javonti Hughes and he ran 20 yards into the endzone for the touchdown.
The Spartan defense came up big with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter. CNU was faced with a third and 15 from the Castleton 21-yard line but was stopped short and had to kick a field goal. Dylan Cross' 32-yard attempt missed wide right.
CNU's final score came with 8:51 remaining to play. Ryker Cook rushed for a two-yard touchdown.
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By The Numbers
• Cavalieri was 7-for-11 for 92 yards and a touchdown
• Cutler ran for 27 yards on 13 carries. He added six catches for 84 yards to give him 111 yards from scrimmage
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Tyler Buxton had nine tackles to lead the Spartans
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Zeke Dubois added eight tackles
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Kaden James and
Lazaro Herrera both had sacks
Up Next
The Spartans are back at Dave Wolk Stadium to host Kean University. Kickoff will be at 2:00 p.m.
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