By Tyler Fennell
Staff Writer
The Lions walked into homecoming with a 1-3 record following a hard fought loss to the No. 13 ranked Salisbury. With their record on the season not being particularly inspiring, the massive crowd of students, parents and alumni, despite their energy, couldn't have expected much.
What the Lions delivered far surpassed expectations, earning a victory against Castleton in a shootout with a final score of 38-23.
Castleton opened the scoring on the first drive of the game. Surprisingly, they attempted a two-point conversion very early in the game. This attempt was unsuccessful. This was followed by another surprising playcall with an onside kick.
The College responded with a touchdown of their own, scored by junior running back Michael Strachan, taking the safe route and making the extra point to take a 7-6 lead.
The second quarter began with a scoreless drive from Castleton. The Lions fumbled the ball on their own drive, which was recovered by Castleton. Castleton’s offense took advantage of this opportunity with a touchdown of their own. They then went for another two-point conversion, this time they were successful, putting the score at 14-7.
The Lions quickly responded with sophomore quarterback Walker Bailey launching a 69-yard pass caught by freshman receiver Grant Lorentzen for a touchdown. Castleton answered with a field goal. The College closed the first half with another rushing touchdown from Strachan.
To open the second half, the College tossed an interception over to Castleton. Castleton was not able to capitalize on the turnover with a scoreless drive. The team responded with yet another rushing touchdown, this time scored by freshman running back Sam Dech. Castleton was not able to put up a point of their own. Near the end of the third quarter, the College fumbled again and it was recovered by Castleton.
The story for Castleton all game was not being able to capitalize on the College’s turnovers. This narrative would continue as Castleton would turn the ball over on downs.
The fourth quarter would begin with the Lions also turning the ball over on downs. Castleton would follow up with another scoreless drive. The action would pick back up with Lorentzen breaking out for a 50-yard rush and scoring a touchdown.
Castleton would break their streak of scoreless drives with a touchdown of their own to keep the game alive. The College would end the game’s scoring off with a field goal, logging the final score at 38-23. As the clock wound down, the Lions secured their first NJAC victory.
The College takes on William Patterson next week for the third NJAC game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 17.
