Hillburn, N.Y. - After seven weeks of competition on the gridiron, the 2024 St. Thomas Aquinas College Sprint Football Season came to an end on Friday evening with a 42-8 loss to Caldwell University at the Torne Valley Sports Complex in the Lower Hudson Valley.
STAC closed out its campaign going 1-6 overall and 1-3 within the CSFL North Division. Meanwhile, Caldwell improves to 3-3 and 0-2 with one game remaining next week against the CSFL South Division leaders Navy.
Prior to the contest, the Spartans honored their graduating senior class; Justin Chin, Harrison Gudzik, Ryan Kenny, Andrew Riley, Jeremy Schucker, Jayden Bennermon, Jaynique Charles, Luke McKenna, Esmond Oldums and Raul Ramirez with on-field ceremonies, which included the athletes' families, friends, teammates, coaches and college administrators.
STAC HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES
- Luke McKenna led the Spartans offense with 4 receptions totaling 58 yards. McKenna's longest catch went for 58 yards.
- Davion Hicks garnered 12 rushing attempts for 50 total yards.
- STAC's lone touchdown came via Nickolas Simonetta on a 29-yard pass from Ryan Kenny.
- Starting quarterback Ryan Kenny completed 9 of 19 passes, for 87 yards with a touchdown and an interception. QB Tynez Harp also saw time under center, going 8-of-21 for 96 yards and three interceptions.
- Esmond Oldums (6 solo, 2 assist) and JoJo Mirada (3 solo, 5 assist) each registered 8 total tackles.
- Jayden Bennermon picked off Cougars QB Josh Smith and returned the INT for 32 yards.
- Bennermon and Andrew Riley each forced fumbles during the game, while Ibrahim Conteh, Carl Auguste, Riley and Nyir Jones each recovered loose balls put on the ground by Caldwell.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
- Caldwell (7-0) - Running Back Josh Smith 90-yard Run (Nicolas Mallon Kick Good).
- Caldwell (14-0) - Quarterback Josh Smith 40-yard Run (Nicolas Mallon Kick Good).
- Caldwell (21-0) - Quarterback Josh Smith 63-yard Run (Nicolas Mallon Kick Good).
Second Quarter
- STAC (21-2) - Team Safety.
- STAC (21-8) - Wide Receiver Nickolas Simonetta 29-yard Pass from Quarterback Ryan Kenny (2pt Conversion Run by Ryan Kenny Failed).
- Caldwell (28-8) - Wide Receiver Jarred Montoya 2-yard Pass from Quarterback Josh Smith (Nicolas Mallon Kick Good).
Third Quarter
- Caldwell (35-8) - Running Back Curtis McDougald 23-yard Run (Nicolas Mallon Kick Good).
Fourth Quarter
- Caldwell (42-8) - Quarterback Anthony Haines 1-yard Run (Nicolas Mallon Kick Good).