Bombers display conference superiority
This football schedule is really not working out for me. There are only 10 games at the D-III level and for some reason Ithaca is playing six on the road. I need my fix of Bomber football and I need it soon.
Regardless, the Blue and Gold marched into the territory of their Empire 8 rival Utica College Pioneers and pulled out a thrilling come from behind victory. Utica has struggled recently in the conference but have now been rebuilt to give teams like Ithaca, St. John Fisher and Alfred a run for their money. Behind Head Coach Blaise Faggiano, an Ithaca grad who played on the 1991 national championship team, and freshman phenom quarterback Andrew Benkwitt, the Pioneers look like a true contender.
Utica’s offense came out swinging on their home turf in a game that they hoped would be a statement to the rest of the conference. The Pioneers were up 24-14 at halftime and though I couldn’t see the game first hand, the WICB broadcasters sounded pretty grim. From most accounts, it sounded as if the Bombers would fall to a .500 record at 2-2 and be fighting an uphill battle for the rest of the season.
However, the defense must have been woken up at halftime because four interceptions set the Bombers up for a comeback. Two picks a piece from sophomores Mike Conti and Spence White kept QB Brian Grastorf and the offense on the field. After two field goals from Andrew Rogowski, senior running back Thomas Bergerstock took an eight yard run into the endzone to cap the comeback and seal a 27-24 win.
With the win, the South Hill squad moves to 3-1 overall and moves up to No. 20 in the national rankings. Unfortunately, Bomber fans will have to wait another week to catch a game at Butterfield Stadium because Ithaca will once again be on the road to battle the Hartwick Hawks. However, the October, 10 showdown with St. John Fisher is fast approaching and if they keep playing like they have been, the Bombers will remain a force in the Empire 8.
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