Football Streaks to Four Straight Wins with 14-7 Victory over Anna Maria

The Maritime College football team extended its winning streak to four straight games with a hard-fought 14-7 victory over Anna Maria on a rainy and windy Saturday afternoon. The normally explosive offense of the Privateers was limited to their lowest point total of the season, but the defense stepped up and held the AMCATS scoreless until 1:05 remaining in the game. Without starting quarterback Thomas Wright (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh), the Privateers turned to Joseph Butterworth(Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) to lead the offense. Following a scoreless opening frame, Butterworth and the Maritime offense found its rhythm and drove down the field to start the second quarter. After a 20-yard reception by Christian Castle (Felton, Pa./Red Lion), Kahlil Lewin (Brooklyn, N.Y./Erasmus Hall) pounded in a one-yard score for his fourth rushing touchdown of the season. The defense continued its strong play throughout the second quarter and forced a three-and-out to give the offense one more shot at expanding the lead before half with 1:50 on the clock. Butterworth turned to Castle again on the drive and completed passes of 35 and 25 yards to put the Privateers inside the red zone. Matthew Cebulski (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) completed the two-minute drill for Maritime by hauling in a 10-yard catch to make it a two-score game going into the locker room. Anna Maria started with the ball in the second half and found some luck offensively. The AMCATS drove down to the 16-yard line, but the Privateers stood strong inside the red zone and forced a 33-yard field goal attempt. The kicker missed the field goal and Maritime came out of the opening drive unscathed. Following a three-and-out from the Privateers, the special teams unit stepped up for Maritime as Karl Riek (Sweetwater, N.J./Cedar Creek) blocked a punt attempt to give the offense good field position. Unfortunately, they weren't able to capitalize and a turnover gave the ball right back to Anna Maria. Maritime continued to struggle to move the ball downfield in the fourth quarter with the tough weather conditions and the AMCATS were finally able to bring it to a one-score game with 1:05 remaining in the game. However, the Privateers were able to recover the onside kick and seal the conference victory. Lewin put together his second-straight 100-yard rushing game by picking up 121 yards on 21 carries with one touchdown. Butterworth chipped in 161 yards through the air with one touchdown and one interception. Christian Castle (Felton, Pa./Red Lion)was the leading wide receiver with 113 yards. Defensively, Liam Bailey (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) led the way yet again by picking up 11 total tackles. James Varga (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J./Hasbrouck Heights) also had a solid day with nine tackles and two of them going for a loss of 11 total yards. The Privateers take the field for their final home game on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 1 p.m. when they take on Division I opponent Hampton University for senior day.