Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – An 18-yard pass from Williams (0-3) QB Tom Murphy was deflected and intercepted in the end zone by Bates' (2-1) LB Josh Freedland with just three seconds remaining in the game, preserving the Bobcats' 14-10 victory over the Ephs today on Weston Field.
Freedland's late game heroics ended an Eph drive, which had begun on the Williams 24 with 55 seconds to left in the game. The Ephs successfully executed a hook-and-ladder play in which QB Tom Murphy completed a pass to Greg Payton, who then lateralled the ball to Kristian Lapointe who in turn lateralled to Alex Scyocurka who took it to the Bates 24. A block in the back penalty on Williams brought the ball back to the Bates 34.
After another complete pass, this time to Richie Beaton up to the Bates 18, the Ephs had two shots to score with 11 seconds left. The first Murphy pass was incomplete out the back of the end zone, and the second resulted in Freedland's interception. Eph head coach Aaron Kelton said after the game, "It was a good football game for the fans, but I'm tired of that. I want to win."
Bates had taken the lead with 10:42 remaining in the 4th quarter by fashioning a 14-play, 66-yard drive. The drive was highlighted by a 14-yard pass from QB Matt Cannone to WR Kevin Davis. The 14-yard aerial converted a 4th and 11 and brought the ball to the Williams 14. Three rushes brought the Bobcats to the Ephs' 2-yard line, where RB Ryan Curit punched it in with a run off left tackle.
In the first quarter, after trading possessions for the first few drives, Bates drove 55 yards utilizing a consistent running game to go up 7-0, with Bates QB Matt Cannone scoring on a 1-yard run that opened the 2nd quarter.
Despite fumbling at their own 15 on the ensuing possession, the Ephs did not allow the Bobcats to capitalize on the turnover, forcing a 36-yard Charlie Donahue field goal attempt that missed wide right.
The teams traded punts until the Ephs benefitted from an electrifying punt return by Kristian Lapointe to the Bates 18. The drive culminated in a 1-yd TD run by Marco Hernandez with 5:50 to go in the 2nd quarter.
Good defense from the Bobcats forced an Eph punt and offensive penalties did the same to the Bobcats offense. After the two-minute mark in the second quarter, Williams went into the hurry-up offense, which was effective in moving the ball quickly down to the Bates 29. With time running short, Joe Mallock kicked a Williams school-record 46-yard field goal to put the Ephs up 10-7 at the half.
Neither team was able to generate a sustained offensive drive in the 3rd quarter.
The Eph defense held the Bobcats to 288 yards rushing on the day, only 17 less than their per-game average of 305 this year. Bates' Ryan Curit led all rushers with 131 yards on 29 carries. When asked about the key to the game, Eph coach Aaron Kelton said, "Us making mistakes late. Late mistakes always hurt you."
Eph RB Alex Scyocurka netted 112 yards on 24 carries. Williams QB Tom Murphy went 13-37 for 150 yards and 2 interceptions, and WR Richie Beaton had four catches for 29 yards.
Bates QB Matt Cannone was 3-6 for 33 yards, and their leading receiver was Harrison Murphy, who accounted for 16 yards receiving on one catch.
Defensive standouts for the Bobcats were Andrew Kukesh and Adam Cuomo, both notching 5 solos and 3 assists and Cuomo has a key interception. Another factor for the Bobcats on defense was sophomore defensive end Tucker Oniskey, who asserted his presence with 6 tackles and 4 pass breakups. In addition to his key last-second interception, LB Josh Freedland also had both of the Bobcats' sacks.
The Williams' defense was led by Ernest Higginbotham, James O'Grady and James Howe. Higginbotham had 11 tackles (8 solos) while O'Grady had 11 tackles and 7 solos and Howe recorded 10 tackles with 8 being solos.
With the win the Bobcats collected their fourth win in the series and third in a row. Williams, however, leads the all-time series 22-4.
Next week the Bobcats will travel to Middletown, CT to face Wesleyan, while the Ephs will head north to play Middlebury..
