Kicker’s Corner: Inside the Huddle
Photo courtesy of Gettysburg.edu. Senior Sam McDermott broke Gettysburg’s single-season record with his 20th touchdown pass on Saturday.
By Jared McCully, Staff Writer
Although the Bullets were able to graze the Moravian College Greyhounds, they fell short in a 32-35 contest this past Saturday at Rocco Calvo Field in Bethlehem, PA. This continues a three game slide that have left my beloved Bullets 5-3 for the season, while Moravian pushes to 7-1 for a second place ranking in the Centennial Conference.
After starting the game by giving up twenty-one consecutive points to the Greyhounds first three possessions, Gettysburg looked like they were not ready to battle for the day. Due two blocked punts, Moravian took advantage of the Bullets mistakes.
Coach Barry Streeter commented on his team’s slow start. “Most teams would give up in the situation and guys would think that maybe this game is not winnable… we don’t do that,” said Streeter.
Streeter was correct in his assertion; the Bullets never do give up. This grit and perseverance doesn’t always produce a win, but it demonstrates the character of the Gettysburg football team, men of integrity.
With six consecutive punt attempts to start off the game, the Gettysburg defense helped spur some momentum to get the Bullets offense going. A forced fumble by Junior defensive linemen Danny Specca was recovered by sophomore Joe Scaglione. The next Moravian possession was stopped by freshmen Mike McKnight on an interception.
Gettysburg’s offense strode to the end zone with a pass from senior Sam McDermott to sophomore Ryan Thompson for a six-yard touchdown pass. After another Moravian passing touchdown from Mike Hayes, McDermott found junior Chris Amicone for a thirty-nine-yard score. Senior kicker Robby Fay ended the half by converting a twenty-eight-yard field goal to put the Bullets behind with a score of 17-28.
In the third quarter, the Bullets defense held the Greyhounds, lead by junior linebacker Chris Miller who finished with a total of eleven tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble. Other defensive leaders included sophomore Joe Scaglione and Joey Decristofaro who both posted nine tackles. I am hopeful in the coming games and seasons to see the young, but seasoned Bullets defense potentially become one of the toughest squads in the Centennial Conference.
The Bullets put themselves in a perfect position to possibly comeback from a devastating deficit. With 7:38 remaining in the fourth quarter Gettysburg was closing in on the Greyhounds at 32-35. Unfortunately, Moravian was able to finish what they started and ate up precious clock time through their run game to prevent Gettysburg from doing any further damage.
The Bullets were forced to utilize their passing game this week, due to missing standout tailback, senior Kyle Wigley. Wigley was experiencing concussion- like symptoms and was not cleared to play against Moravian. I talked to Wigley and he believes he should be good to play against Dickinson and win “the Bucket.”
Gettysburg is known for playing on fields of history, but making that history was Sam McDermott’s job Saturday. McDermott broke Gettysburg’s single season touchdown passing record with his twentieth conversion. With touchdown passes to fellow seniors Brandon Sparks and Kevin McCarthy, McDermott placed himself in the books as being one of Gettysburg’s greats. McDermott completed 21-of-34 for 240 yards.
I encourage everyone to come cheer on the Bullets in our final home game of the season against our arch rival Dickinson College in the battle for the Little Brown Bucket this Saturday Nov. 7 at 1pm. Saturday will also be Senior day, as many of our team’s leaders and role models will be playing their final game at the Shirk.
I’d like to thank every senior for the efforts they have made to this program, but the season is not over yet. We still have 100 bullets in this clip and we intend on using every single one of them. Click, Click, Boom!
**Kicker’s Korner is a weekly column written by first-year Gettysburg football kicker Jared McCully.**
