Hartwick Concludes True Blue Weekend With 28-20 Win over Nichols

Football | 9/24/2022 9:22:00 PM

• Final Score:  Hartwick 28, Nichols 20
• Location:  Oneonta, N.Y.
• Records:  Hartwick (2-1), Nichols (3-1)

• Nichols won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.
• The Hawks and the Bison traded uneventful possessions through the first seven minutes of play.
• Hartwick looked to swing the momentum their way and nearly did as Michael Lombardi (Wantagh, N.Y.) picked off the pass from Nichols' starting QB.
• Unfortunately, four plays later, Hartwick would give the ball back to the visitors with an interception.
• Nichols used that momentum to cap off a five-play drive with a 35-yard field goal.
• The Bison extended their lead after ending a second consecutive Hawks' drive with an interception.  This time Nichols found the back of the endzone.
• Hartwick took over with just over three minutes to go in the opening quarter.  The drive ended in a touchdown for Carlvin McDonald (Central Islip, N.Y.) who also contributed a 37-yard run earlier in the possession.
• The Bison responded on the next drive as backup quarterback Kyle Yanucci found Kevin Pinheiro for a 12-yard passing touchdown to give the visitors a 10-point lead once again.
• The two teams traded uneventful possessions until Hartwick took over with 6:38 remaining in the half.
• The Hawks' senior quarterback, Kyle Szokoli (Greenlawn, N.Y.) moved the offense to an air attack, distributing the ball to four different receivers, ending the drive with a 13-yard passing touchdown to Nate Rath (Newport, N.Y.) to bring the Hawks within three.
• The Hawks and Bison would go back to trading time with the ball as penalties derailed both teams.
• However, the Hartwick defense stepped up as Nelon Priest (Schenectady, N.Y.) picked off a pass deep in Nichols' territory to set up a short go-ahead drive for the home squad.
• McDonald would once again find the endzone with a five-yard rush with just over 7 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
• The Bison marched down the field with their ensuing possession and it looked as if they were destined for the endzone. 
• A Jeremy Gerdvil (East Northport, N.Y.) 11-yard sack on 2^nd and goal pushed the Bison far enough back that they were forced to kick the field goal.
• Up 21-20, Hartwick took control of the ball with 1:50 left on the clock in the 3^rd quarter. 
• The drive continued into the fourth quarter and ended in another McDonald touchdown and successful Nick Andrade (Shelton, Conn.) point-after attempt.  The drive also chewed up just over five minutes of clock time in the 4^th.
• Hartwick's defense would ultimately bring home the victory, forcing two turnovers on downs and a key interception by Jake Ely (Fulton, N.Y.) to solidify the 28-20 win.