Molloy kicks off sprint football season
Molloy University kicked off its inaugural Sprint Football season with its first home game on Friday, Sept. 27 against St. Thomas Aquinas College.
The Lions mounted a strong effort, but it wasn't enough to break through the Spartans defense. Molloy fell to St. Thomas Aquinas College, 59-7, at Mitchel Field in Uniondale. Despite the loss, however, the enthusiastic crowd of supporters cheered on the Lions’ team through its rather rocky home opener.
Sprint football follows traditional college football rules, with players weighing 178 pounds or less. The addition of the Molloy Lions makes the university the ninth and newest addition to the Collegiate Sprint Football League, joining institutions like Army West Point, Cornell University, and the University of Pennsylvania. It is also the first and only team of its kind on Long Island.
"This is a fun and growing collegiate sport and we couldn't be more excited," Molloy University President James Lentini said. "Molloy is fortunate to have a thriving body of successful student-athletes, and sprint football is a positive addition that will enhance the campus experience for the entire University.”
The roster consists of 33 players who were recruited from all parts of Long Island and New York City. Brian Hughes, a mainstay in the Long Island football community, with an accomplished career that spans more than 40 years, leads the Lions as the program’s head coach.
“This is a brand-new concept on Long Island, this is a new situation for me as a head coach and the support and enthusiasm from the Molloy community makes its all the more special,” Hughes said. “I am beyond excited to get to work building this program on the foundation of the Molloy University mission.”
After nearly a scoreless first quarter, the Spartans’ Jeremy Schucker scored a 28-yard field goal to put his team on the board.
In the following possession, the Spartans put together a nearly seven-minute drive that resulted in a three-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Kenny to Jayden Bennermon.
St. Thomas Aquinas quarterback Ryan Kenny later connected with Jayden Bennermon for a 3-yard touchdown pass, putting the Spartans up 17-0 at halftime.
Molloy's lone touchdown came during the final possession of the game. Junior quarterback Paulie Drummond, who finished with 91 passing yards and 46 rushing yards, threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to freshman Peter von Schoenermarck. Freshman Timmy Stosko successfully kicked the extra point.
The Lions’ running back Jovanni Elysee contributed 32 rushing yards and recorded five tackles and a sack on defense, while freshmen Marquis Dixon and Max Kraemer led the Lions' defense with six tackles each.
The Lions, now 0-3 on the season, will face the University of Pennsylvania on Oct. 18 at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.
For tickets and more information visit MolloyLions.com.
