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Fitchburg, MA --- Senior Tony Tokarz (Holden, MA) threw three touchdowns and rushed for one score as Worcester State defeated Fitchburg State, 35-0, in New England Football Conference Bogan Division action on a snowy afternoon at Elliot Field. It was WSU's first shutout since the blanked MIT 33-0 on September 25, 2004
With the victory, WSU improves to 7-2 on the season and is now 4-2 in the NEFC Bogan. Fitchburg State slips to 2-7 on the year and 1-5 in divisional play.
The Lancers erupted for 28 first quarter points led by the strong arm of Tokarz. On 6-of-6 throwing, Tokarz tossed for 201 yards and the three scores, while running for 67 yards and a TD on eight carries.
Freshman Kemani Jones (Milton, MA) was also strong on the ground for Worcester State, totaling 74 yards and one TD with 12 rushes while junior Justin DeAndrade (E. Bridgewater, MA) hauled in two catches for 80 yards and a score to lead the Lancer receivers.
Worcester State opened the scoring just four minutes into the game as Jones capped the eight play, 69-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown rush. The Lancers ran eight times in the game-opening drive.
After a three-and-out by the Falcons, the Lancers did the opposite to start the next drive as Tokarz launched a rocket downfield to DeAndrade for a 69-yard TD on the first play of the drive, putting WSU ahead 14-0 after five minutes of play.
Fitchburg State brought their next drive into Worcester State territory, but a failed fourth-and-one rush gave the ball back to the Lancers on downs. Senior Kenny Russell (Bedford, MA) opened the next drive on a 24-yard rush that set up Tokarz for a 37-yard touchdown pass to sophomore AJ Scerra (Marlboro, MA). The reception was Scerra's ninth of the year as the Lancers went ahead 21-0.
The Blue and Gold were not finished with their first quarter explosion as after a quick three-and-out by Fitchburg they were set up on the Falcons 21-yard line thanks to junior Richie Dube's (Shrewsbury, MA) 36-yard punt return. After a false start pushed the Lancers back, Tokarz answered with a 26-yard strike to Russell, giving WSU the 28-0 lead after one quarter of play.
Tokarz added his five-yard touchdown run to cap off the game's scoring with 5:50 remaining in the first half.
In the third quarter, Fitchburg put together a long 15-play drive that put them deep inside Worcester State territory. With a first-and goal from the WSU two yard-line, the Falcons coughed up a fumble that was recovered by freshman Justin Sundara (Webster, MA).
With the snow falling heavily in the second half, both teams turned to their running attack to the move the ball. Worcester State finished the contest with 487 yards of offense, including 273 yards on the ground from 11 different rushers.
The Lancers held Fitchburg State to 150 yards of total offense while they limited to 58 passing yards.
Freshman Steph'fon Teague (Fitchburg, MA) led Fitchburg State offensively, notching 93 yards on 23 carries while senior Carlos De La Rosa (Holyoke, MA) added 33 yards on three receptions.
Freshman Zack Skerry (Milford, MA) led the Lancers with a team-best seven stops (five solo, two assists) and one tackle for a loss while senior Ray St. Laurent (Shrewsbury, MA) chipped in with four TFL's and two sacks. Junior Graham Asum (Marlboro, MA) had an interception as well for WSU.
Defensively, senior Chris Rose (Gloversville, NY) led Fitchburg State totaling eight solo tackles, while classmate Mike Vaughan (Lowell, MA) added seven solo stops and one assist.
Russell is now tied for fifth with 17 career touchdown receptions on WSU's all-time list Jeremy Goucher.
Both teams will finish their season and NEFC play next Saturday as they both host their final games. The Blue and Gold will take on Framingham State at 12 PM while the Falcons will play Westfield State at 1:30.
Portions of Release Courtesy of Fitchburg State Sports Information
Release By - Jim Sarkisian – Sports Information Intern