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Thornton leads Falcons past Maine Maritime

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Football team defeated the visiting Mariners of Maine Maritime Academy 30-22 Saturday afternoon at Elliot Field on senior day. The Falcons ended the season 3-6-0, 3-4-0, winning its’ final 3 games of the season, while the Mariners dropped to 5-4-0, 4-3-0.

Fitchburg State jumped out to a early 7-0 lead when Maine Maritime WR Josh Elwell(Owls Head, ME/Rockland) fumbled on a rushing attempt on the 3-yard line, the ball bounced into the end-zone and was recovered by Falcons SR LB Josh Francis (Ashburnham, MA/Oakmont) for a touchdown with 8:43 to play in the 1st quarter.

Fitchburg State made it 13-0, capping a 6 play 36-yard drive, on a 6 yard run with 17 seconds to play in the 1st quarter. The Mariners cut the deficit to 13-7, when sophomore Fullback Vinnie Moulton (Cape Elizabeth, ME/Cape Elizabeth) rumbled in from a yard out. Maine Maritime would take the lead into the half with 17 seconds to play in the 2nd quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run by Brandon Goodrich (Waterboro, ME/Massabesic).

Thornton gave the falcons the lead back at 20-14 on a 5-yard run with 7:43 to play in the 3rd quarter, capping an 8 play, 64 yard drive. Falcons Kicker Evan Georgopoulos (Melrose, MA/Melrose), capped a time consuming 13 play 46 yard drive, that chewed up over 7 minutes off the clock, with a 32 yard field goal with 14:02 to play in the 4th quarter, to make the score 23-14.

Maine Maritime looked to cut into the lead, when they ensued on a 15 play, 58 yard drive, but the drive stalled out on the falcons’ 1 yard line, as they failed to convert on a 4th and goal situation. Maine Maritime would capitalize on a falcons’ miscue though, with the ball on the 3 yard line Fitchburg State QB Jim Miller (East Hampton, NY/East Hampton) fumbled a snap and fell on the ball in the endzone for a safety to make the score 23-16.

Maine Maritime would cut the lead to 23-22 on the ensuing free kick. The Mariners capped an 8 play, 47 yard drive on a 6 yard run by Goodrich. The Mariners failed to covert on the 2 point conversion, keeping the score at 23-22. Thornton wrapped up his day with a 63 yard touchdown run on the first play on the ensuing drive to put the falcons up 30-22. With 2:40 to play in the game.

The falcons’ offense was led by Sophomore Tailback Marlon Thornton, who ran for 159 yards and three touchdowns, on 21 carries. The Mariners were paced by Senior Running Back Brandon Goodrich, who ran for 133 yards and 2 Touchdowns on 24 carries.
MMA Athletics • Pleasant Street • Castine, ME 04420 • (207) 326-2450