WATERBURY, Conn. – A 10-yard touchdown by Chestnut Hill in the final seconds ended the Post sprint football team's hopes for its first victory of the season as the Eagles fell 24-21 at LaMoy Field on Saturday afternoon in the first annual Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Bowl.
Post seemed to have the game wrapped up after junior
Chris Leggio (Brewster, N.Y.) forced a fumble just outside the goal line by Reggie Robinson Jr. with 3:00 left as the Griffins' quarterback was attempting a go-ahead score.
The Eagles took over possession on their own one-yard line after the turnover looking to run out the clock. Post was unable to get a first down and, holding a 21-16 lead, opted to take a safety instead of punting from its own end zone.
Chestnut Hill took over on its own 45 yard line after the ensuing kick with 1:44 left and drove down the field on nine plays for the winning score. Sophomore
Trevor Patterson (Wildomar, Calif.) blocked the extra point attempt, but Post was unable to get in field goal range on its final possession.
The Griffins looked like they were going to run away with the game as the visitors led 16-0 after the opening quarter. Things started to go Post's way as senior
Jay'Len Mahan (Waterbury, Conn.) returned the final kickoff of the first quarter 49 yards to setup the Eagles on the Chestnut Hill 26-yard line.
Freshman
Malcolm Ware (Sutherlin, Va.) gained all 26 yards on the ground on the ensuing possession to cut the deficit to 16-7 early in the second. Post forced a punt by the Griffins and Ware ran all over the Griffins' defense, finishing with an eight-yard touchdown to bring Post within two at 16-14 midway through the quarter.
Post held strong the remainder of the half and stopped Chestnut Hill on fourth down deep in Eagles' territory to head into the break.
Neither team could get anything going to start the second half and after a three-and-out, Post took over on its own 17-yard line. On third down and five from the 35, junior
Greg Volpe (North Haven, Conn.) hit Mahan on a cross and as he broke away for a 65-yard score giving Post the 21-16 lead.
Ware finished with 112 yards on 24 carries. Volpe had 147 yards through the air with 132 going to Mahan, who finished with five catches. Defensively, Leggio had 14 tackles and a forced fumble. Freshman
Demonte Sanders (Chicago, Ill.) had 11 tackles and recovered a fumble. Junior
Bernard Peterson (Pasadena, Md.) had an interception.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday, Oct. 17 at home against Navy. Kickoff at LaMoy is set for noon.
