Football team improves to 2-1
The Spartans were back in action Saturday Sept. 27 against Alfred State College looking to rebound after a blowout Homecoming Weekend lose to RPI 41-13 – and rebound they did.
The Spartans broke the ice first, with a 38-yard touchdown run by Kevin Alberque to make it 6-0. Alberque led the Spartans offense with 316 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns helping them capture their second win of the season by beating the Pioneers 36-23.
“We were able to put last week behind us this week at practice. We worked really hard this week and the coaches really got us prepared for our opponent,” said quarterback Tyler Higley.
With three minutes to go in the first half, Pioneer tailback Rasheed Williams took off on a 99-yard touchdown run to give the Pioneers the 13-6 lead. Bur the Spartans would add a touchdown late and the Pioneers tacked on a field goal making the score 16-13 at the half.
The Spartans came out strong in the second half with touchdowns from Tyler Combs and Makai Hawkins. Defensive back Derek McAdoo also had a touchdown in the game, when he ran an interception back 33 yards.
“The kids showed a lot of resilience during the game,” said coach Tony Volpone. “It went back and fourth all game. We kept our focus in all phases, both offense and defense, so we were able to pick up the win.”
It was a different story a week earlier at home against RPI.
The Spartans offense struggled against RPIs defense, gaining only 269 total offensive yards. The team showed some life in the second half, with an interception by Joe DeAlesandro and a couple forced fumbles by the Castleton special teams and defense.
“We came out swinging and we fought hard all game, but we just came up short,” Alberque said after that game. “We are going to get back to the play book and get back to work tomorrow.”
The Spartans next home game is Oct. 11 at 1 against Ann Maria.