The St. Thomas Aquinas College Sprint Football team defeated the Post University Eagles, 13-9 on Saturday afternoon at LaMoy Field in Waterbury, CT. STAC improves to 2-3 on the year, while Post falls to 0-5.

In the opening quarter, the Post defense picked up the only points of the stanza on a safety with 6:23 remaining, as Hansley Dalembert was able to bring down Matthew Ehret in the Spartan end zone to make it 2-0 Eagles.

Second quarter action saw St. Thomas Aquinas quickly take the lead, as Kiel McKenzie would make a 12-yard run into the Post end zone to make it 6-2 STAC just under two and half minutes into the frame. However, the Eagles would go back on top six minutes later when Jake Butler would make a 3-yard dash of his own across the goal line, making things 9-6 in favor of Post University. The home squad would keep their three point lead as the teams would retreat to their respective locker rooms for halftime.

The third quarter would be a largely seesaw affair, with both teams having multiple possessions. The final scoring play of the contest would come in the waning moments of the third, as Mahki Matthews would take a 47-yard pass from Kiel McKenzie to the house, giving the Spartans a 13-9 advantage before the buzzer.

In the fourth and final quarter of play, Post University would have several attempts at retaking the lead. However, the tough Spartan defense would stand strong and force an Eagles three-and-out early in the quarter and a turnover on downs with just over two and a half minutes remaining in the game and the ball down on the STAC 25-yard line. 

For STAC, Kiel McKenzie went 13-for-21 passing on the afternoon for 232 yards, with a touchdown pass and a score of his own (via the run) and two interceptions. Dwayne Moore had 19 rushes for 46 yards, while Ernest Stallworth Jr had 3 receptions for 76 yards and Mahki Matthews had 4 receptions for 71 yards and a score. On the defensive side of the ball, Sheriffh Bittaye picked up 7 tackles, and Tyreke Smith, Malyk Michel and Carlos Fernandez each had 6 tackles. Fernandez also had an interception. Joseph English went 1-for-1 on field goals for the day.

St. Thomas Aquinas College returns home to host Army West Point next Saturday, October 26th. Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm at the Torne Valley Sports Complex in Hillburn, NY.