Endicott Tops Fitchburg State, 58-7

Kimber scores lone touchdown in Falcons loss to the Gulls

BEVERLY, Mass. (September 17, 2011) – The Endicott football team amassed eight touchdowns, including special teams and defensive scores, to defeat the Falcons of Fitchburg State, 58-7 in New England Football Conference action this afternoon.

With the victory, the Gulls improve to 3-0 on the season, while Fitchburg State drops to 1-2 following the loss.

In front of a capacity crowd at Endicott Stadium, the Gulls totaled 519 yards of total offense, recovered a fumble for a touchdown, and returned a blocked kick to the end zone.  Three different receivers caught touchdown passes and two running backs found the end zone for the Blue and Green. 

Senior quarterback Phil Konpoka (Shelton, Mass.) connected on 9-of-13 pass attempts for 182 yards and four touchdowns, including a 79-yard completion to senior tight end Taylor Allen (Westboro, Mass.) in the third quarter.  Senior running back Mike Lane (Medfield, Mass.) rushed 17 times for 139 yards and a score with senior Topher Pochebit (Portland, Maine) tacking on another rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter. 

Pochebit also got it done on special teams, blocking a Lenny Masciangioli (Leominster, Mass.) punt attempt and recovering the loose ball 29 yards to the end zone.  Pochebit also was a factor in the return game, bringing back two kickoffs for 67 yards including a 41-yard return on Endicott's first possession of the game.  He also made a special teams tackle on a kickoff. 

Defensively, Gulls sophomore defensive back Jason Silva (Maynard, Mass.) turned in the best performance of his collegiate career to-date with two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown, and his fourth interception of the year.  Silva's fumble recovery came early in the second quarter with Fitchburg State pinned near their goal line as a botched handoff was picked up by Silva at the two-yard-line and scurried into the end zone.

Endicott's leading receiver on the year, sophomore Mike Murphy (Chelmsford, Mass.), continued his hot start with five more catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns.  Murphy hauled in touchdown receptions of 11 and 30 yards from Konopka.  Senior wide receiver Ryan Carino (Stratford, Conn.) caught three balls for 36 yards and a 15-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, his third of the season. 

The lone touchdown for the Falcons came on the first drive of the game as sophomore quarterback Tanner Bachand (Newington, Conn.) capped off a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 25-yard strike to senior wide out Jeremy Kimber (Fitchburg, Mass.).  It was Kimber's first touchdown catch of the season. 

The Gulls defense was stingy all day however, holding Fitchburg State to 90 yards through the air and 63 yards on the ground.  Linebacker Peter Kallas (Beverly, Mass.) led the team with eight tackles with a forced fumble.  Lussier was second on the team with seven takedowns while Kevin Eagan (West Hartford, Conn.) had five assisted tackles with a half sack.  Chris Gogolos (Newburyport, Mass.), Alex Filomeno (West Hartford, Conn.) and Marcell Cooper (Dorchester, Mass.) also had sacks in the game. 

For the Falcons, senior linebacker Anthony Bizzotto (Leominster, Mass.) led all players with 14 total tackles, including four solo.  Tyler Bridgewater (Westbrook, Conn.), Jim Caporale (Watertown, Conn.) and Joseph Sasso (Melrose, Mass.) all recorded double-digit tackles with 11 each. 

Fitchburg State (1-2, 0-0 NEFC) will be back in action next Saturday as it travels to Maine Maritime at 11 p.m. Endicott (3-0, 0-0 NEFC) hosts Salve Regina next Saturday at 12 p.m.