Explosive on offense and opportunistic on defense, the New Haven Chargers orchestrated a near-perfect win in front of the homecoming crowd on Saturday.
American International College (AIC) won the coin toss and deferred, New Haven began nondescript with a first down on an off-side penalty on AIC’s defensive line. The drive stops after quarterback Daelen Menard’s pass falls incomplete, targeting receiver Josh Zamot.
Punter Josh Hamel’s 40 yarder sets AIC up at their six yard line. The Yellow Jacket’s quarterback Lukas Kasko connects with receiver Amiyn Hanks for 16 yards. Defensive lineman Davon Colon sacks Kasko for a 14 yard loss. A punt later, the Chargers are at their 48 yard line.
Menard threw to receiver Matt Chandler for 10 yards and moved the chains. A false start on offensive lineman Anthony Massa sets them back. A 15-yard pass-interference flag on cornerback Marquis Lundy sets up Menard to find wide receiver Mikey Caines for his first touchdown of the day, Chargers lead 7-0 . After the kick, AIC set up at their 17 yard line.
Kasko fires into the middle where he’s picked off by linebacker Devin O’Malley. The Chargers’ offense returns with excellent field position. A 26-yard connection from Menard to Caines gives New Haven their second touchdown early, leading 14-0. AIC at their 25 following a touchback from Hamel, 3-and-outs and punts back to the Chargers. Menard is picked off by AIC defensive back Jahsiah Narcisse targeting receiver Zamot. The Chargers’ defense forces another 3-and-out. After a 39 yard punt, the Chargers begin at their 19. Two first downs sandwiching a tackle-for-loss ends the first quarter.
Ais takes over, two runs and 47 yards later, Chargers lead 21-0. AIC at their 25. AIC, troubled on offense, their most explosive play was a 15-yard personal foul penalty on a would-be punt following Colon’s second sack of the day. Three plays and a punt later, New Haven takes over at their seven yard line
Running the ball eight of their next nine plays for two first downs, the Yellow Jackets’ defense forces a turnover-on-downs following a questionable 4th & 1 call. AIC’s offense returns at the New Haven 43 yard line. A tackle-for-loss on 1st & 10, on the ensuing pass, Kasko threw a pick-6 to defensive back Ricky Encarnacion which put the Chargers up 28-0.
AIC goes 3-and-out, punting back to New Haven; Chargers at their 38. Ais, with explosive runs on consecutive 2nd & 10s for 32 yards. Menard, after an incomplete to wide receiver Evan Chieca, doubles back for 11. The drive turns for the worst on an Ais red-zone fumble. AIC takes over. The Jacket’s biggest play in the second quarter is another Charger miscue. Roughing the passer, the Chargers faced a 15-yard penalty. Charger linebacker Chris Campbell recovers a fumble stunting AIC’s drive. Menard to Caines for a hat-trick on the next snap, delivers a 35-yard touchdown on New Haven’s last possession of the half. Entering halftime, New Haven was up 35-0.
Beginning the second half, AIC receives the ball at their 25 after another touchback from Hamel. The Jackets continue to grind on offense, a third drive where their biggest play is a flag on New Haven defenders. LB Campbell is flagged for a face mask, 15 yards. AIC musters a cloud of dust. A delay of game kills the drive andNew Haven takes over.
A series of short gains and an ineligible receiver flag stalls the drive following a tackle-for-loss by AIC’s Grant, forcing a punt. AIC responds with a three-and-out. New Haven’s offense was in AIC territory and the Chargers marched into the red-zone where a second failed fourth down conversion gave AIC the ball back. AIC’s next drive stalls on a holding penalty, leading to a passing situation where linebacker Kaschin Edwards picks off Kasko. Four plays later, running back Justin Felder ran in the sixth Charger touchdown, 42-0. After another AIC three-and-out, back-up quarterback Jack Chandler throws New Haven’s seventh touchdown to wide receiver Issac Cutler-Mujjumbire which put the score at 49-0. AIC, dead on offense, with a three-and-out gave Felder a chance to score the eighth touchdown following an explosive 34 yard run which boosted the score to 56-0. AIC remains listless and allows New Haven to run down into the red zone once again and run out the clock. The Chargers ended the game with a final score of 56-0.
The Chargers’ defense allowed a mere 40 yards of offense in the 2nd half. Turnovers and penalties prevented a true perfect game.
After the dominating win over AIC, New Haven is now at a four game win streak and has an overall record of 4-1 and 3-0 in conference play. The Chargers will be back in action at 1 p.m. on Oct. 19 to face their rival the Southern Connecticut State University Owls. The game will be held at Jess Dow Field. For more information, visit NewHavenChargers.com.
