The Plymouth State University football team started the season with two things, high expectations and questions. The high expectations were in place from an NEFC Football Championship during the 08-09′ campaign and an NCAA playoff berth. The questions came in the form of who would step up in place of Jeff Mack and company and one of the best offenses in the conference. How would one of the stingiest defenses since the mid to late 80’s repeat their performance from last year?
PSU would answer these questions with an 8-3 campaign that was capped off with a tough loss to the Pride of Springfield College in the ECAC Northeast Bowl. The game featured two of the best ground attacks in New England with Springfield racking up yards behind their vaunted flex bone option attack and PSU with their clock control I-formation offense. PSU would put their entire stable of backs to work with junior Chris Francher, sophomore Michael Malia, first-year Ty Long and junior Jon Brennan who would chip in a touchdown late in the game all contributing the rushing attack. Junior quarterback J.J. Brooks would lead the panthers with 119 yards on the ground.
The scoring would begin with Jarred Burrell of Springfield returning an interception 100-yards for the score. After a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, the Pride had a short field to work. They would score a few plays later with sophomore tailback Mark Safer finding the corner and the end zone making it 14-0.
PSU would answer with when Brooks would dial up junior John Creamer for a 27- yard touchdown strike, bringing the score to 14-7 late in the 2nd quarter. That would end the scoring until late in the 4th quarter when Jon Brennan would find the end zone on a one -yard scamper bringing the score to 42-13. Springfield quarterback Josh Carter would electrify the home crowd with his mastery of the complicated offense on the ground, but would also light up the skies with touchdown passes of 88 yards, which is a new Springfield College Record. For his efforts, Carter would win the MVP award for the game, which was 1000 for the program and win number 150 for head coach Mike DeLong.
Despite the tough loss to end their season, the Panthers can hold their heads up high after putting together yet another winning season, the third in a row during the tenure of head coach Paul Castonia. During his time here, Castonia has built a strong foundation that is based around a ball control offense and a physical and fast defense. After taking his lumps during his first few seasons, the sacrifice has paid off, as during the last three seasons the Panthers have been to an ECAC Bowl twice and won an NEFC Championship and a playoff berth last season. His persistence has brought the winning ways back to Plymouth State University.
The PSU ground attack amassed 2,769 yards on 594 attempts but would balance out their rushing with 1,243 yards through the air. By no means will the Panthers be confused with the Texas Tech Red Raiders but improved their overall yards through the air from last years 801 yards to the 1,243 yards this year. Leading the way rushing as a non-quarterback was first year tailback Tyler Long, who was named NEFC Offensive Rookie of The Year, with 785 yards. Junior quarterback J.J Brooks would lead with rushing yards with 864 yards. PSU would finish second in the NEFC in scoring offense and third in rushing offense. John Creamer and Alex Smith would each have 7 touchdowns and tight end Aaron Getz would score one of his own. The Panthers will have to rebuild their offensive line with only two starters, The Fuccillo Brothers Nick and Xander, returning but have a lot of potential to do some good things on the field next season.
Defensively, the Panthers played tough with junior defensive backs Kevin Whalen and Dan Kelly finishing the year with two interceptions a piece, with one of Kelly’s being returned for a touchdown. Junior safety Zach Parsons would pace the defense in tackles with 78 stops, 53 of them being solo. Harry Fallon would finish behind Parsons with 70 stops with 42 of them being solo. Senior Jim Sestito would cap his career off with 6 sacks bringing his career sack total to 18. PSU would finish fifth in total defense and fourth in scoring defense in the NEFC. The Panthers return much of their defense next year and have high hopes for their returners.
Several members of the team were on the NEFC All-Division team, including senior Zac Duval who was also named Boyd Division Offensive Lineman of the Year and earned First Team All-Star honors for the second year in a row. Senior Matt Vahey, senior wide receiver Alex Smith, senior defensive linemen Jim Sestito and Alex Battaglino, junior linebacker Brian Castellucci, junior safety Zach Parsons, sophomore returner Christian Mulcahy, and first year punter Nick Provost were all awarded First Team honors. J.J. Brooks and Harry Fallon were both named to the Boyd Division Second Team.
The Panthers answered the questions and fought hard all season and have a good foundation to build off of during the offseason and are primed for good things next year.