GAME DAY INFORMATION   DATE: September 14, 2019 LOCATION: W.B. Mason Stadium | Easton, Mass.   GAME DAY LINKS   LIVE STATS  |  LIVE VIDEO  |  TICKETS

NEWS NEWS ROSTER ROSTER SCHEDULE SCHEDULE STATS STATS GAME NOTES GAME NOTES

THE FIRST LOOK
For the first time since joining the Northeast-10, the Chargers will play a conference opponent twice during the regular season. This year, as part of the NE10 scheduling policies, New Haven and Stonehill will meet up twice with the second meeting coming in the final week of the regular season.

INSIDE THE SERIES

• New Haven and Stonehill meet for the 11th time in a series that dates back to the Chargers first season in the NE10, 2009.
• Overall, the Chargers hold an 8-2 record in the previous 10 match-ups.
• The Chargers opened up the series winning six of the first seven meetings.
• In five meetings at W.B. Mason Stadium, the Chargers have won four of the five match-ups.
• In most recent memory, all but one of the last seven meetings in the series have been decided by a touchdown or less with the average margin of victory over that stretch just 3.3 points.

A WIN OVER STONEHILL WOULD...

• be the third straight over Stonehill following a 23-22 win in 2017 and a 12-7 victory last year.
• be the 250th overall victory in the 41-plus year history of Charger Football.
• be the 219th victory since the Chargers began playing at the Division II level - first DII season was 1982.

GAME DAY FORECAST
New Haven and Stonehill will meet under ideal conditions with the forecast calling for partly cloudy skies with a high temperature of 77 degrees. The low for the day is predicted at 63 degrees while there is a 20% chance of rain and a 72% humidity level. Winds on Saturday will be around 13 miles per hour out of the south-south-west. Sunset will be 6:56 p.m.

NEXT ON TAP
New Haven will make its 2019 debut on the Blue and Gold turf of Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium next time they take to the gridiron. The 2019 season opener welcomes the AIC Yellow Jackets on Saturday, September 21st with kick off slated for 1:00 p.m.

SCOUTING THE CHARGERS
With a number of key returners and a handful of transfers who will make an immediate impact, the outlook is strong for the Blue and Gold. The biggest transition for New Haven will come in the quarterback role following the loss of four-year starter Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune). Week one, juniors Nick Robins (Nephi, Utah/Juab) and Christian Lupoli (Branford, Conn./Notre Dame), both Division I transfers, split the snaps with Robins leading the duo with 171 passing yards. Overall, the pair helped New Haven outgain the Crimson Hawks by more than 70 yards. Whomever is under center will have a number of targets to rely on down field with the return of the top two receivers from a year ago; Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) and AJ Greene (Middle Island, N.Y./Newfield). Both Williams and Greene finished week one with five receptions as the pair combined for 115 yards. In the backfield, Chris Liggio (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross) returns after taking the most attempts last season, racking up 617 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Defensively, the Chargers return a strong core Christian Sullivan (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) (26 tackles), Scott Lavelle (West Milford, N.J./DePaul Catholic) (61), Devon Nzepuome (Milton, Mass./Milton) (36) and Markel Johnson (Jersey City, N.J./Lincoln) (56) leading a talent laden defense, while graduate transfer Zach Cofrancesco (East Haven, Conn./Notre Dame) is expected to make an immediate impact.

SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS
Stonehill opened up its 2019 season with a 33-14 victory over the PSAC's Bloomsburg University, the only win in the opening week for the NE10. Overall, Stonehill racked up 466 yards of total offense, while limiting Bloomsburg to just 168 yards. The Skyhawks dominated throughout the game, holding possession for 13 minutes more than the Huskies while their 466 yards on offense was broken down to 290 passing yards and 176 rushing yards. As with New Haven, the Skyhawks relied on a pair of quarterbacks, junior transfer Greg Powell who finished with 212 yards and three touchdowns and junior Anton Stoneking who completed 8-of-11 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Andrew Jamiel led the receiving corps with nine catches for 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while sophomore Justin Felder led the backfield with 19 carries gaining 73 yards.

GOING FOR DISTANCE
Through just one game in 2019, the Chargers have not been shy of looking long distance, racking up six plays of 20 yards or more against IUP. The longest of the game was a passing play with Nick Robins (Nephi, Utah/Juab) finding Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) for 32 yards. That was one of two 30-plus yard plays in the game with Shamar Logan (Brooklyn, N.Y./High School for Youth & Community Development) gaining 30 yards on a rushing play. Last season the Chargers finished the year with 84 plays of 20 yards or more, including six of 50-plus yards. The longest on the years was a 79-yard rushing touchdown from Ryan McCarthy (Montclair, N.J./Bergen Catholic).

RETURNING IN 2019
The Chargers boast 42 total lettermen returning in 2019, including 23 on offense, 17 on defense and a pair of kicker/punters. Additionally, the Chargers return 14 starters from a year ago, including four of the five starters on the offensive line. Finally, the Chargers return six of 13 players who received all-conference honors last season, highlighted by the lone first teamer to return; wide receiver Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central).

ITS ALL ON THE LINE
The Chargers offensive line was nothing but exceptional last season and this year expect much of the same as the Blue and Gold return four of their five starters. Add to that, all 10 players on the depth chart have significant playing time under their belts on the line. Last season, the Chargers O-Line contributed to 4,827 total yards on offense, the most in the NE10, which included just shy of 2,000 rushing yards. Additionally, the O-Line allowed opponents to sack quarterback Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) just three times through the 10-game regular season.

BIG BOOT
The Chargers will return a big boot in 2019 with Michael Stalenyj (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) returning as one of two kicker/punters. Stalenyj closed out his rookie campaign in 2018 a perfect 9-of-9 in field goal attempts while he was also 34-of-38 in extra point attempts. So far in 2019, Stalenyj hasn't missed, converting a pair of field goals (21 & 28 yards) and one extra point attempt.

FLIPPING THE FIELD
One area the Chargers will look to recover from a large loss is their punting game. Last season, graduate student Francis Palmer (Brewster, N.Y./Trinity-Pawling) averaged 40.4 yards on 31 punts including a pair of 50+ yard boots. He also pinned Charger opponents inside the 20 eight times with his longest punt of the season going for 59 yards. The lone Charger who returns after attempting punts last season is wide receiver Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) who on seven kicks averaged 36.6 yards and pinned the opposition inside the 20 once.

WELL OILED MACHINE
Second-year transfer wide receiver Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) has quite the resume heading into his final season on the gridiron. The Springfield, Mass. native closed out his first season wearing the Blue and Gold by hauling in a single season school record 1,171 yards on 65 catches with 11 touchdowns. In addition to his yardage record, Williams' 11 touchdowns was also tied for fifth most in a single season among wide receivers in program history.

TRANSFER SUCCESS
Head coach Chris Pincince is hoping that last year's success of graduate transfer Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) will carry over to 2019 with the addition of five graduate transfers this season. A pair of the transfers, Zach Cofrancesco (East Haven, Conn./Notre Dame) and Dennis James (Hillside, N.J./St. Peter's Prep), are high up on the depth chart, both defensively. Cofrancesco hails from East Haven, Conn. transferring to New Haven after completing his undergraduate degree at LIU Post. James (St. Francis, Pa.) is one of three players transferring from Division I schools, joined by Nigel Beckford (Bridgeport, Conn./Notre Dame) (Maine) and Anthony Malaguti (Hewitt, N.J./Don Bosco Prep) (Villanova). Rounding out the graduate transfers for 2019 is Mohammed Berry, a defensive back who comes from Seton Hill.

ON THE RADAR
The postseason run for New Haven didn't go unnoticed as the Chargers were among teams receiving votes in the preseason AFCA Division II Coaches poll released by the organization on August 26. New Haven garnered 65 votes in the initial poll with that total placing them 29th in the tally. Following last year's NCAA Tournament run New Haven was slated 23rd in the final AFCA poll which was released following the national championship game.

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO
Among 13 players who were named to All-Conference teams following the 2018 campaign, the Chargers return six. Highlighting the group is a First Team selection in Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) who led the Chargers with 65 catches and 1,171 total receiving yards. Joining him offensively are o-lineman Osaro Eromosele (Hillside, N.J./DePaul Catholic) and Mike Zecchin (Thiells, N.Y./North Rockland). A pair of defensive players return with Scott Lavelle (West Milford, N.J./DePaul Catholic) and Markel Johnson (Jersey City, N.J./Lincoln) both earning accolades last season. Combined the pair collected 117 tackles and combined for 24 tackles for loss last season. Rounding out those returning players who were honored last year was rookie kicker Michael Stalenyj (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) who earned a spot on the All-Rookie team. Last season, Stalenyj finished a perfect 9-9 in field goal attempts while converting 34-of-38 extra point opportunities.

UNDER THE LIGHTS & ON THE BIG SCREEN
For the second-straight season, the New Haven football team has been selected to participate in the NCAA Division II Showcase with this year's game included on the 18-game slate coming under the lights on September 27 at Bentley. The game, which is part of the hybrid model, will be available with an enhanced streaming broadcast through the NCAA's social media accounts - specifically, the Division II Facebook and Twitter pages. Last season, New Haven hosted Southern Connecticut as part of the D2 Showcase with that game also part of the hybrid model while it also aired live on MyTV 9 throughout Connecticut.

LEADERSHIP IS EVERYTHING
In a vote of all active players, Gavin Dowd (Williston Park, N.Y./Herricks), Chris Liggio (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross), Christian Sullivan (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) and Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) were all tabbed captains for the 2019 campaign. All first-time leaders for the Blue and Gold, Dowd, Liggio and Williams are all major components of the offense while Sullivan anchors New Haven's defensive line.

FAMILIAR FACES ON THE SIDELINES
They may not be between the white lines in 2019, but All-American Zach Voytek and four-year starting tight end Jonathan Badyna (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) return to the sidelines for the Blue and Gold as members of the coaching staff.  Voytek returns for his second season working with the Chargers tight ends after spending the 2017 NFL training camp season with the Buffalo Bills. Badyna, who completed his eligibility last fall, will serve as the Director of Football Operations.

WHAT D2FOOTBALL.COM IS PREDICTING FOR WEEK 2 (Paul Falewicz)
Best match-up of the weekend. New Haven lost on the road to IUP 24-13.  The Chargers fell behind early and were never able to recover.  They turned the ball over too many times to defeat a good team on the road.  The defense held their own and looks to be the strength of the team.  For the Chargers to win on the road, the offense will need to take care of the ball and not turn it over.  The defense needs to contain the mobile quarterback and get off the field on third down. Stonehill defeated Bloomsburg 33-14 to open the season in style.  The Skyhawks were solid on both sides of the ball including a more wide-open offensive attack with two quarterbacks moving the chains.  For the Skyhawks to win the game, they will need to repeat their Week 1 performance.  Offense moves the ball, gets into the end zone and confuses the defense.  Their defense needs to tackle the ball carrier and prevent the big play. This match-up is always close and decided in the final minutes.  Expect the same this weekend. Prediction:  New Haven 27 Stonehill 24

PRESEASON PROPS
Coming off of an NCAA Championship Second Round appearance last season, the Chargers have been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2019 NE10 Championship in a poll of the league's nine head coaches. New Haven racked up a total of 63 points and seven of the nine possible first place votes, finishing nine points ahead of the Assumption Greyhounds who scored the remaining two first place tallies.
2019 Northeast-10 Football Coaches' Poll
1. New Haven – 63 (7)
2. Assumption – 54 (2)
3. Pace – 49
4. Bentley – 40
4. Southern Connecticut – 40
6. Stonehill – 29
7. American International – 23
8. Saint Anselm – 18
9. Franklin Pierce – 8
(#) indicates first-place votes

GAMEDAY IMPROVEMENTS
If you haven't visited Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium since the NCAA Championship game against Slippery Rock, you are going to find a welcome addition with the construction of a permanent restroom and concession building. The new building is located on the southeast corner of the stadium, just inside the main entrance.