WESTFIELD – The Westfield State University football team hosts Fitchburg State University on Saturday, Nov. 3, in the 2012 regular season finale. Kickoff is 12:00 p.m. noon for the Senior Day Game at Alumni Field.
WEB TV: The Fitchburg-Westfield game is being video streamed live on www.mascac.tv. There is no fee to watch the game with Westfield State students Joe Meehan and Matt Stover providing the play-by-play and color commentary. In addition, there are Live Stats for the game. Go to www.WestfieldStateOwls.com to access the video stream and Live Stat links.
SENIOR SALUTE: Westfield State is honoring the 11 senior members of the 2012 squad prior to the game. The seniors are: Dan Dowling, Justin Ehrhardt, Tim McLeod, Kevin Parnell, Anthony Raneri, Jeff Smith, Kennan Startzell, Jake Storey, Mike Szydlowski, Chris Walker, Erik Wellhoff.
THE SERIES: Westfield has dominated the all-time series vs. Framingham with 20 victories in 27 meetings; however, the series is 8-7 in favor of the Owls since 1997. Westfield won the first 12 games in the series then Fitchburg snapped the streak in 1997. The Owls have defeated the Falcons the past four games, including a 34-7 decision in 2011.
THE RECORDS: Both teams enter the season finale with 2-7 overall records and 1-5 marks in the New England Football Conference Bogan Division. Fitchburg and Westfield both trounced Maine Maritime, while the Falcons own an early season victory over Curry, 17-7. Westfield trounced Nichols in the season opener.
NEFC WEEKLY HONORS: Westfield senior linebacker Dan Dowling was named the NEFC defensive player of the week. Dowling recorded 15 tackles (14 solos) and forced a fumble vs. Mass. Maritime last week. He also punted seven times for a 43.7 average, including five punts inside the 20. Fitchburg sophomore running back Steph’Fon Teague made the NEFC weekly honor roll as he rushed for 187 yards on 28 carries with a touchdown in a 28-14 setback at Worcester State.
SCOUTING FITCHBURG: The Falcons are only scoring an average of 14.4 points per game and are ranked 13th in the NEFC in scoring defense (32.7). Sophomore Steph’fon Teague is the leading rusher, averaging 95 yards per game, with 855 yards rushing on 186 attempts (4.6 per carry). Quarterback Christian Lopez has completed 79 of 167 passes for 1,116 yards and seven touchdowns. His leading receivers are Ty Spencer (39 catches, 422 yards, 4 touchdowns) and Jordan Burris (32-514, 3 TDs). Linebacker Talib Barksdale leads Fitchburg defensively with 77 tackles (63 solo, 9 for losses). Linebacker Alex Alcala has 73 tackles, including three sacks and 14 tackles for losses. Safety Elizear Torres ranks third with 60 tackles (52 solo) and cornerback Evin Bienaime has 41 tackles (37 solo), two forced fumbles, two interceptions and six pass breakups.
SCOUTING THE OWLS: Sophomore Michael Mercadante ranks fourth the NEFC scoring with 10 touchdowns and has rushed for 548 yards in seven games. But he is again questionable for the third straight game after sustaining an injury late in the first half vs. Coast Guard on Oct. 20. Freshman Joshua Trainque is tabbed as the starting running back if Mercadante remains sidelined. Freshman quarterback Erik Washburn has completed 60 percent (80 for 134) of his passes. He has thrown for 915 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games. Kevin Parnell is the Owls’ leading receiver (39 catches, 552 yards, 4 TDs) and ranks first in the NEFC in punt returns (18.2 average) and fourth in all-purpose yards (127.0). Sophomore Andrew Buanno ranks second in the conference in kick returns; he has 10 returns for a 28.3 average. Other leading receivers in Westfield’s balanced attack are: Kevin Nicol (24-223), Kane Terilli (22-335), tight end Jeff Winchell (18-261), and tight end Jake Storey (13-153). Westfield senior Kennan Startzell is sixth in NEFC kick scoring with 39 points. He has converted 4 of 5 field goal attempts and 27 of 28 PATs. Dependable Dan Dowling ranks third in the NEFC, averaging 37.4 yards per punt; 20 of his 51 punts have been inside the 20. Senior linebacker Justin Ehrhardt leads the team and ranks second in the NEFC with 95 tackles. Ehrhardt also leads the Owls with 11 tackles for losses, four sacks, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles. Dowling ranks second with 62 tackles, including three sacks, two fumble recoveries and three quarterback hurries. Linebacker Troy Cutter has 54 tackles, followed by safeties Jeff Smith (50) and Gregg Jackson (49). Mike Szydlowski has 41 tackles and ranks third in the NEFC in passes defended with team-highs of five interceptions and six pass breakups.
