Photo by Demetrius Kazanas
North Andover, MA – The Wagner College football league took a 14-12 lead into halftime, but it wasn't enough, as Merrimack fought back in the second half to earn a 54-17 victory on Saturday at Duane Stadium.
The Seahawks struck first, as fifth-year senior
Quincy Guy-Barnes found junior
Naiem Simmons for 27 yards to move the ball into the red zone.
Three plays later, freshman
Zachary Palmer-Smith punched the ball in from four yards out to give the Seahawks the early 7-0 lead with 6:26 to play in the first quarter.
After the Warriors took a 9-7 lead, the Green and White fought back late in the first half. Simmons was once again the spark for the Seahawks' offense, taking a short pass by senior quarterback
Nick Kargman 54 yards to the Merrimack five-yard line.
From there, sophomore
Rickey Spruill took care of the rest, running it in from two yards out as the Seahawks regained the lead and took a 14-12 advantage into the locker room.
The Warriors regained the lead on the first drive of the second half. On the ensuing possession, a spectacular 36-yard catch by redshirt senior
Jallah Zeze led to a 35-yard field goal by sophomore
Austin Hosier to pull the Seahawks within two points at 19-17.
From there, Merrimack pulled away, scoring five consecutive touchdown to earn the victory.
Kargman led Wagner with 184 yards through the air, while Simmons hauled in four catches for a team-high 92 yards.
Defensively, graduate student
Titus Leo led Wagner with seven tackles and one sack, while senior
Coby Calvin also contributed seven total stops.
Wagner will return to Hameline Field on Friday, October 21, when the Seahawks host LIU at 7:00 pm.
