DARTMOUTH, MA – Hartwick football grabbed the lead midway through the first quarter and never relinquished it in a 48-41 slugfest over host UMass Dartmouth on Saturday in Dartmouth, MA. The Hawks get their first win of 2016 and even their record at 1-1. The Corsairs drop to 1-1.
Both teams racked up 1,048 yards of total offense in the game which was the first meeting between the two schools. The Hawks gained 371 passing yards and 118 on the ground on the day.
Receivers Koree Reed (Baldwinsville, NY/Central Conn. St. Univ.) and Brad Garcia (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley HS) combined for 300 yards receiving on 14 catches. Reed caught five balls for 170 yards and two scores with Garcia adding nine receptions for 130 yards.
Billy Pine (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls) competed 21 of 33 passes for 371 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Tito Pichardo (Washingtonville, NY/Washingtonville HS) rushed for 117 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries.
The Hawks drew first blood on a Pichardo 9-yard touchdown run to cap a 6-play, 68-yard drive at the 8:54 mark of the opening quarter. Brian McGovern's (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley HS) extra point gave 'Wick a 7-0 lead.
The Corsairs answered right back with a touchdown of their own, but they missed the PAT to preserve the Hartwick advantage. Another Pichardo touchdown run of 12 yards increased the Hartwick lead to 14-6 late in the quarter and a 35-yard Pine-to-Reed touchdown pass made it 21-6 early in the second quarter. A late 42-yard run from the hosts cut the margin to nine, 21-12, at halftime.
A defensive touchdown would give the Hawks additional breathing room in the third quarter. A hit from Matthew Ali (Sayville, NY/Sayville HS) would set the stage for a Malik Wynter (Auburn, NY/Auburn HS) 10-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and the Hawks increased their lead to 28-12 with 4:52 gone in the quarter.
Following a Corsair score, another big touchdown play from Pine to Reed, this one for 62 yards, got the advantage back to 17 points, 35-18. The two teams would trade scores for the rest of the night. Each time UMass Dartmouth inched closer, 'Wick had an answer. Pichardo scored from six yards out at 11:34 and after the Corsairs got within eight, 42-34, Pichardo closed the door with a 22-yard run for his fourth and final touchdown of the day.
UMD scored with 1:39 remaining in the game to make it 48-41, but the Hawks gathered the Corsair onside kick and ran out the clock to secure the victory.
On defense, Wynter not only had the big fumble recovery but he also led the Hawks in tackles with 11. He broke up two passes as well. Ali had 10 hits, including two for a loss, two forced fumbles, and one pick.
Mark Hackett (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls HS) contributed eight tackles and added a fumble recovery. Melijah Purvis (West Babylon, NY/North Babylon HS) and Savion Black (Huntington Station, NY/Walt Whitman HS) had five tackles. Purvis also contributed the game's lone sack.
The Hawks will entertain Brockport in their home and conference opener next Saturday, September 17. Kickoff from Wright Stadium is 2 p.m.