Mustangs Trot Past Hawks

Leicester, Mass. - Sophomore running back Johrone Bunch (Meriden, Conn.) rushed for 217 yards and a touchdown to lead Mount Ida to a 17-6 win over Becker College in Eastern Collegiate Football Conference action. The Mustangs improved to 3-3 (3-1 ECFC) as the Hawks remain winless at 0-6 (0-2 ECFC) on the season.

Mount Ida found the end zone first when freshman quarterback Scott Drosendahl (E. Aurora, NY) connected with senior wide receiver Kyle Watkins (New Haven, Conn.) for a 16 yard touchdown at 6:43 of the first quarter to give the Mustangs a 6-0 lead. Drosendahl was 6 of 18 for 119 yards and an interception on the day.

The Hawks best scoring chance of the first half started at their own 30 yard line. Senior Running back Jimmy Cherey (Malden, Mass.) broke threw the line of scrimmage for a 35 yard gain and the ball at the Mustang 35 yard line. The Hawks had first and goal from the nine yard line but couldn't score on four plays, two key tackles by Mustangs' linebacker Mike Brockenberry (West Haven, Conn.) helped keep the Hawks scoreless.

Mount Ida increased the lead to 9-0 in the second quarter when freshman kicker Matt Beale (Meriden, Conn.) hit a 37 yard field goal with 5:22 remaining until half.

The second half started with Mount Ida picking up two points on a safety after Becker snapped the ball out of the end zone on a punt to make the lead 11-0.  Bunch took control on the ensuing Ida possession, the Mustangs started out on their own 42 yard line. Bunch's first run from scrimmage was for 20 yards, and then he picked up a quiet 3 yards to get to the Becker 35 yard line. Two plays later he hit pay dirt to make it 17-0.

The Hawks finally broke into the end zone when freshman running back Johnattan Rivera (Dracut, Mass.) rushed from 7 yards out with 2:55 remaining in the third quarter.

The Mustangs were led on defense by Jordan Edinger (Key Largo, FL) with 15 tackles and a half a sack and freshman defensive end Eli Shuler (Northford, Conn.), 5 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Defensive back Jake Bateman (New Bedford, Mass.) led the Hawks on defense making 6 solo tackles and an interception.