MILTON, Mass. - The Curry College football team lost a high-scoring contest to visiting Commonwealth Coast Football (CCC Football) opponent Nichols College on Saturday afternoon, 56-42, at Walter M. Katz Field on Senior Day. Prior to the contest, the program honored its seniors in a special ceremony.
The Bison were the first to find the end zone in the contest as senior Michal Pina (Brockton, Mass.) found classmate Jake Wood (Whitinsville, Mass.) from 23 yards out to finish a seven-play series that spanned 2:09. Senior Alex Santiago (Sunrise, Fla.) tacked on the point after to make the score 7-0.
The Colonels answered on the following drive with a nine-play, 27-yard drive, finished off by a 23-yard touchdown pass from senior Nick Juvelier (Centereach, N.Y.) to classmate Nate Medina (Bristol, R.I.). Freshman Evan Damian (East Haven, Conn.) converted the PAT to tie the game at seven.
Nichols was able to find a score once more before the end of the opening quarter. The Bison traveled 66 yards in seven plays, concluded by a one-yard scamper from Pina. Santiago split the uprights on the extra point to pull the visitors out in front by a 14-7 score.
Nichols had the ball at the start of the second stanza but quickly gave it back to Curry as sophomore Tahg Coakley (Danvers, Mass.) forced a fumble by sophomore Hunter Ferreira (Mansfield, Mass.). The Colonels made fast work of the miscue, using three plays to cross the goal line on a 21-yard touchdown strike from Juvelier to freshman Gabriel Desouza (North Andover, Mass.). Damian was successful on another point-after to knot the contest at 14.
Following back-to-back empty possessions for each side, sophomore Brett Williams (Pembroke, Mass.) intercepted a Juvelier pass which set them up on the Colonels' 30. The Bison used only one play, a 30-yard pass from Pina to senior Tony Martignoli (Santa Rosa, Calif.) to score. Santiago added the PAT to make it a 21-14 ball game.
Nichols extended its lead later in the quarter after Pina connected with Ferreira on a 30-yard pass. Santiago's extra point was blocked, which kept the score at 27-14 heading into the half.
After a Bison three-and-out to start the third, Curry regained possession and only needed one play to find the end zone. Junior Zach Levy (Bellingham, Mass.) broke free for a 90-yard rush. Damian was good on the point-after to cut the lead to 27-21.
Nichols had the answer on the following drive, going 79 yards in seven plays. Junior Joshua Pierre-Charles (Millis, Mass.) scampered in from three yards out. With another Santiago PAT, the lead was pushed back to 13, 34-21.
The Colonels came back with a score of their own on the next drive. Juvelier found Desouza on a one-yard pass to finish off a 14-play series. Damian tacked on the PAT to trim the Bison lead to just six, 34-28.
Nichols had one more score before the end of the third quarter. Pina found Wood for the second time in the contest, this time for a six-yard connection. Santiago pitched in the point-after to extend the lead back to 13, 41-28.
The offenses were on full display in the final quarter as the teams combined for 29 points. Juvelier tossed two touchdowns in the frame to finish with five on the day, matching a season-high. Pina and Pierre-Charles scored via rushes as the contest ended in the 56-42 final.
The Colonels' offense was led by Juvelier, who completed 26-of-42 passes for 289 yards, five touchdowns, and two Interceptions. Levy paced the Curry backfield with 150 yards on 12 rushing attempts and one touchdown. Senior Nick Villanueva (Hanson, Mass.) pitched in six receptions for 78 yards to guide the receivers. On the defensive side, Curry was led by freshman Trevin Stephens (West Palm Beach, Fla.), who made a season-high nine tackles (eight solo, one assisted).
For Nichols, Pina completed 22-of-33 pass attempts for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Pierre-Charles led the charge on the ground, rushing 22 times for 133 yards and two scores. Ferreira was the leading receiver, bringing in nine receptions for 136 yards and a touchdown. Senior Sean McGuigan (Charlton, Mass.) registered nine tackles (seven solo, two assisted) to top the category for the Bison.
Curry (2-7 overall, 2-4 CCC Football) closes out the season on Saturday, November 16 at Salve Regina University for a noon kickoff. Nichols (6-3 overall, 4-2 CCC Football) returns home as they welcome in Endicott College on Saturday at noon.
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