The Spectrum

Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: The Spectrum/Chris Morrow

Media Credit: The Spectrum/Chris Morrow Steve Young (above) showing his athleticism this past Saturday at Campus Field.

Media Credit: The Spectrum/Chris Morrow Nick Passalaqua attempting an extra point against the Iona Gaels defense.

If there were any ill thoughts or negative motivation issues lurking in the minds of the winless Pioneer football team, they sure did a great job hiding them.

Sacred Heart took advantage of their offensive weapons, showering the Iona Gaels with attacks in the air and on the ground, and cruised to a 27-16 victory at Campus Field this past Saturday.

It didn't take long for Jon Corto to deflate the pre-game adrenaline from the Gaels as he made a tackle on the first play of the game, and following that opening play he pounced on a loose ball at the 3-yard line after Rolando Garcia forced the fumble from Iona quarterback Dustin Croick.

"It was huge," said Corto, a junior linebacker from Orchard Park, NY. "We wanted to come out with excitement and we definitely were trying to get the turnover."

Junior running back Jason Payne capitalized on the Gaels turnover, as he took a hand-off from quarterback Tyler Arciaga, and stomped into the end zone to give the Pioneers a 6-0 advantage early in the first quarter.

Sacred Heart's joy turned into frustration right away, as the Gaels blocked the extra point attempt, and ran it back 97 yards for a defensive extra point to cut the lead to 6-2.

After a 53-yard drive later in the quarter, Corey Bundy hauled in a 6-yard touchdown bullet from Arciaga and put the Pioneers up 13-2.

Iona drove the football from their own 27 to the home team's 4, but that was the last of any momentum brewed by the Gaels on the day. Sophomore Jeff Hodges made a diving interception for a touchback in the end zone, as Croick failed to hit an open receiver.

Sacred Heart took a 20-9 advantage into the locker room after Arciaga led a 70-yard drive that was eventually capped off by a two-yard touchdown run. Senior wide receiver Alvin Franklin caught two passes for 25-yards each during the scoring drive and would finish the day with a career high 7 catches and 106 yards. Payne also gained 37 yards in that span.

"A lot of people stepped up," said Arciaga, who spoke of the vast distribution of the ball. "Having the ability to distribute the ball offers many different things. I try to give as many people as I can their touches, and it keeps defenses on their heels."

Iona refused to go away when they scored after a 95-yard drive to cut the lead 20-16, with 5:39 left in the third quarter.

"The defense was a lot better today," said head coach Paul Gorham. "We still have a lot of work to be done, but this is a learning process."

The Pioneers showed poise while caught in the learning process, as Arciaga hit Franklin for the clinching score. The Bonita, Calif. native threw for two touchdowns, which moves him into the school's second place slot all-time with 21 TD passes.

Payne's 99 yards were more than Jones' 57, but each scored on touchdown rushes. Franklin would pace the receiving corps, but Arciaga spread out 18 catches to sophomore Kyle Smith, senior Joe Henley, junior Tom Duffy, senior Justin Jarry, Bundy, Payne and Jones.

"We really needed this," said Gorham. "You can't go into the upcoming league games with a bad mindset, and it was great we could get our first win under our belt."

The Pioneers will try and create a win streak, as they travel to Pittsburgh, Pa. to square off against the Duquesne Dukes this Saturday.

"Were going to enjoy this one," said Gorham. "How tangible is it? We'll find out."

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