Telegram & Gazette Recap - "Bumpus' Smooth Start Lifts Worcester State"

Worcester, MA --- Senior Kevin Bumpus (Bridgewater, MA) passed for 304 yards and three touchdowns while junior Kemani Jones (Milton, MA) amassed 264 yards of all purpose yardage to go with a rushing score as the pair helped lead Worcester State to a 38-6 triumph over Anna Maria in non-conference football action this evening at Coughlin Field.

In the season opener for both squads, Jones did his damage on 16 rushes for 156 yards while hauling in a trio of receptions for 108 receiving yards.

Senior Dana Barry (Hudson, MA) also grabbed five balls for 77 yards and two touchdowns for the Lancers. Fourth year teammate Jack Sprague (Maynard, MA) finished with 104 yards of total offense with 44 on kick returns and 29 in the punt return game.

The AMCATS were paced offensively by junior Will Richard (Billerica, MA) who gobbled up 11 passes for 127 yards. Classmate Chris Bettano (Tewksbury, MA) rushed for 49 yards and one score while sophomore Daniel Faison (Bowie, MD) compiled 149 yards of total offense – including 79 on kick returns.

Sophomore Stefano Marziale (Cranston, RI) impressed on special teams for the visitors averaging 32 yards on punts, with a long of 50 yards and three bids which were inside the 20 yard line.

Defensively, the Blue and Gold finished with eight team sacks highlighted by three for a loss of 23 yards by senior Sean Hanley (Wilmington, MA). Classmate Zack Skerry (Milford, MA) chipped in with seven stops (five solo), four tackles for a loss and two sacks.

Senior Mike Dance (Rocky Hill, CT) and freshman Nic Wojnar (S. Grafton, MA) both recovered fumbles while freshman Myles Cofield (S. Walpole, MA) snatched his first collegiate interception.

Sophomore Mike Sinto (Long Island, NY) had a fine game for Anna Maria on defense with eight tackles (six solo), one sack of 12 yards and a fumble recovery. Senior Kevin Card (Deer Park, NY) recorded nine stops around the line of scrimmage with two tackles for a loss as freshman Robert Sanders (Tampa, FL) tallied nine tackles (seven solo).

Worcester State built up the early 14-0 advantage after the first quarter. Barry put the Lancers on the board with a seven-yard catch with 5:48 left in the first before Sprague followed with a 12-yard scoring reception 2½ minutes later.

Barry secured his second score of the contest to start off the next quarter and freshman Sebastian Paz (Orlando, FL) booted a 32-yard field goal to help the hosts take over the 24-0 edge with 7:48 remaining in the second stanza.

The Blue and Gold looked poised to score again inside the 10-yard line in the second quarter, however, the AMCATS put up a fine goal line stand to preserve the deficit at the intermission.

Anna Maria used the momentum to break the shutout to begin the third frame. Starting on their own 12, the visitors marched down the field – with Ricard catching a key third-down catch at midfield – culminating in a six-yard plunge by Bettano with 2:32 off the clock in the quarter.

The Blue and Gold though came right back and used the running game to increase their margin to 31-6. Jones rushed four times for 59 yards and he finished off the drive with a six-yard blast.

From that point the Lancer defense held the AMCATS offense in check as Anna Maria stalled out on their next four drives and only made it to the Worcester State 40-yard line on one occasion.  

With the pendulum in their favor, the hosts capped off the games scoring on a 48-yard touchdown hookup between senior Pat Viencek (Bernardston, MA) and freshman Matthew Stewart (Scituate, MA) with 12:13 on the clock in the fourth quarter.

The WSU defense continued to frustrate the visitors as the AMCATS were forced to punt in three out of their last four times with the ball. Anna Maria also failed to take advantage of a missed field goal try by the Lancers late in the third.

The Blue and Gold ended the contest with 594 yards of total offense with 399 through the air and 195 on the ground. The AMCATS were limited to just 23 yards on 37 rushes, but did finish with 211 yards in the passing game.

Worcester State continues their season a week from today with a 7 PM meeting against crosstown rival WPI. Anna Maria opens at home – in the first of their six games at AMCAT Field – against Maine Maritime on Saturday in a 3 o'clock kickoff.