From the Alfred State Athletic Department,
Franklin, MA- Alfred State took the final game of the regular season 55-3 against conference foe Dean. The Pioneers end the season with a 6-4 record, and a 3-1 record in conference play. With this win the Pioneers take home the ECFC title and clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
The Pioneers rushed for 402 yards, Jake Palmer led the way 147 yards on 26 attempts and two touchdowns. Noah Currier a had a good day with 131 yards on six attempts and tallied two touchdowns. Justin Horvath was 3-8 for 49 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, Rylie Van Fleet had two tackles and a pick six. David Harrell tallied six tackles while Neftali Cruz and Jalen White had five tackles each. White added three and a half sacks as well.
Dean got on the board first with a field goal. On the ensuing kickoff, Currier returned it 88 yards for a touchdown and the 6-3 lead.
Then in the second quarter, the Pios put in four touchdowns to take a commanding 34-3 lead. Palmer opened the quarter with a three-yard touchdown run. Two ASC possessions later, Currier capped off a three play 49-yard drive with a 36-yard touchdown run. Then after a Dylan Knight interception, Palmer finished the drive with a five-yard touchdown for the 27-3 lead. On the third play of Dean’s next drive, Van Fleet got an interception and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown.
The Pioneers kept their foot on the gas in the second half, as Currier opened the scoring with an 88-yard touchdown run. Then a few minutes later, Jazir Francois was on the receiving end of a 38-yard touchdown reception.
Noah Silfer extended the lead to 54-3 with a four-yard touchdown reception. Van Fleet would then made the extra point to make it a 55-3 game.
Alfred State will learn who their next opponent is when the NCAA releases the Division III playoff bracket on Sunday, November 12th at 5pm.
