Football overcomes Falcons in conference game

By Sarah Daponde Editorial Staff

Adrien Gobin / THE GATEPOST

The Framingham State Rams traveled to Fitchburg State and defeated the Falcons 22-12 Oct. 4. Their conference record is now 4-0 and their overall record is 4-1. The Rams began the game strong with a touchdown on their fourth down by junior running back Jarvin Simon. The extra point was missed, leaving the score at 6-0 Framingham. The Falcons tried to take off to the endzone, but the ball was intercepted by sophomore James Wilder. Framingham rushed 20 yards forward but was then hindered by a loss of 15. Sophomore Adrien Sarrette punted the ball out of bounds, and possession returned to Fitchburg. Three incomplete passes, followed by a fair catch by junior Mathias Fowler on the fourth down, hindered the Falcons’ flight to the endzone. On their first down, the Rams were awarded 5 yards due to a false start. At fourth down and nine to go, Sarrette’s punt plummeted out of bounds. Fitchburg’s next drive closed out the first quarter and continued in the second. A fumble recovered by senior Kymauny Roland at the 44-yard line brought the ball back into Framingham’s hands. Roland was awarded MASCAC Defensive Player of the Week after helping limit the Falcons to 44 yards rushed total, making four tackles, and blocking an extra point that earned the Rams two points. The Rams’ next drive was hindered by a holding penalty and a false start, resulting in a total of 15 lost yards. At the 50-yard line, the ball was intercepted by the Falcons. Fitchburg completed two passes and fumbled the next three, followed by Framingham denying a holding penalty on Fitchburg. The Rams were hampered during their next possession when they received a total of three penalties, including one for an offside, one for holding, and one for a false start. The Falcons received their share of penalties during their next possession for holding and an illegal shift, and they were unable to recover. Framingham was unable to gain yardage in their next four downs, and the ball returned to Fitchburg after a punt of 18 yards was downed in the fourth. The Falcons closed out the first half unsuccessfully, and the score remained 6-0 Framingham as the third quarter ramped up. Senior Dillon Mangus kicked off to Fitchburg, and the Falcons began their next drive. A pass of 15 yards earned Fitchburg their first touchdown of the match, and a failed kick attempt brought the score to a 6-6 tie. Several minutes later, with Fitchburg in possession and the ball 3 yards from the endzone, a defensive return by sophomore Melvon Crump earned Framingham two points for a score of 8-6. Both Framingham and Fitchburg struggled to gain yardage in their next possessions, which swiftly closed out the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Falcons scored a touchdown, bringing the score to 8-12 Fitchburg. The Rams were unfazed. After a holding penalty on the Rams set them back 10 yards, a pass from freshman Michael Marcucella to Fowler resulted in a triumphant touchdown. Mangus’ kick was successful, bringing back the Rams’ lead 15-12. Fitchburg’s hopes of soaring to the endzone were shattered by a fair catch by Wilder. The Rams rushed to the endzone again with the help of a face mask penalty on Fitchburg, gaining Framingham 15 yards. Marcucella made a thrilling pass for 69 yards to junior Ayden Ramirez, and another touchdown was secured. The game ended with the score 22-12 in favor of Framingham. Marcucella was named MASCAC Rookie of the Week Oct. 5 for the second week in a row after completing 16 of 24 passes for a total of 169 yards gained and scoring two touchdowns. He said winning the award “feels great. I just want to contribute to wins. The award is a fun extra motivator, but winning is the real goal.” Fowler said the Rams are undefeated in their conference. “Every week brings a new opponent and that’s motivation enough to keep pushing ourselves,” he added. The Rams host the Westfield State Owls for a conference matchup on Homecoming Weekend Oct. 18.