The stands were packed full at DellaCamera Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11 as fans anticipated the game of the year between the top two teams in the Northeast-10 (NE-10) conference.
The win clinched New Haven’s second NE-10 title in three years. Going into the final regular season game of the season, the Chargers were ranked 10th in the Super Region One rankings with seven teams making the NCAA Division ll playoffs. However, with losses to No. 1 Slippery Rock, No. 4 California (PA) and No. 8 Fairmont State, New Haven could potentially move into the top seven.
The first quarter was back-and-forth as both teams put seven points on the scoreboard. Bentley was first to score with a 95-yard return by cornerback Tajon Vassar for a touchdown on the opening kickoff. New Haven’s defense prevented the lead from growing with linebacker Joe Vitale combining with defensive lineman David Abolarinwa for a sack on third down on Bentley’s next possession. Defensive lineman Chisom Okoro forced an intentional grounding penalty and later combined with defensive tackle Jaysen Triunfer for a sack. In between those two drives, running back Christopher Ais got the ball nine times on a 10-play drive and tied the game at seven with a four-yard scoring run.
Bentley took the lead back in the second quarter after converting on third and fourth down with a 15-play drive resulting in a 40-yard field goal. On New Haven’s next drive, a third-down pass to wide receiver Javon Turner was originally ruled complete before being reversed to an incomplete pass, giving Bentley one more chance to add to their lead. Bentley was unsuccessful after Vitale got his hands on a third-down pass, keeping the score at 10-7 to end the first half of the game. With the NE-10 Championship Title on the line, the Chargers needed a big comeback in the second half.
Trailing by three, the Chargers went into the second half ready to put up a fight. New Haven regained the lead after quarterback Daelen Menard connected with wide receiver Dev Holmes for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Bentley answered to take the lead once again on a five-yard touchdown run by quarterback Mark Waid. The third quarter ended 17-14 with New Haven once again down by three. The fourth quarter would determine the champions of the NE-10 title and the Chargers needed to leave it all out on the field.
Menard connected once again with Holmes early in the fourth quarter, this time with a 53-yard touchdown pass to put New Haven back in front by four. A key sack from Okoro and an interception by defensive back Jalen Fisher kept Bentley from answering back as the Chargers continued to battle. Bentley was given another chance to regain the lead after Menard’s third-down pass to wide receiver Kasi Hazzard was wiped out by a late flag resulting in a holding penalty. Bentley’s momentum was shut down three plays later, as Ais intercepted a pass and returned it inside the Bentley 10-yard line. The Chargers were unable to turn this takeaway into a touchdown, but a 25-yard field goal from kicker Vincenzo DeSimone capped off the 24-17 win for New Haven and secured the NE-10 regular season title.
The stands and players went wild as helmets flew off and shouts of joy rang through the stadium. New Haven finished the regular season with an overall record of 8-2 and a 6-1 record in the NE-10. The first round of playoffs will take place on Saturday, Nov. 18, as the Chargers will travel to Charleston, W. Va for their matchup against the University of Charleston. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.