EASTON, Mass. – A big day on the ground for New Haven football (1-1) as it picks up 223 rushing yards while surrendering just 26, all leading to a 31-9 road victory at Stonehill to close out non-conference play. Leading the way for the Blue and Gold was sophomore Shamar Logan (Brooklyn, N.Y./High School for Youth & Community Development) who ran for 157 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Logan's 157 yards is a career-high and the first time a New Haven rusher has racked up more than 150 yards since October 1, 2016. The sophomore running back took the ball downfield 22 times without losing a yard while his first touchdown of the day went for a season-high gain of 47 yards as he broke through the middle of the line and up the left hash marks to the end zone in the first quarter. He also capped off a fourth quarter drive with a seven yard run for the final touchdown of the afternoon.
Joining Logan in leading the ground assault was junior Zach Mauro (Woodbury, Conn./Nonnewaug) who picked up 72 yards on 15 carries with a touchdown. His lone score on the day came in the third quarter when he capped off a three-play drive with an 11 yard run, reaching for the end zone as he was brought down. Rounding out the leading rushers was quarterback Christian Lupoli (Branford, Conn./Notre Dame) who gained 24 yards on seven rushes.
In the air, New Haven gained 56 yards with the Chargers splitting snaps between Lupoli and Nick Robins (Nephi, Utah/Juab). Of the pair, Robins led the way with 37 yards on a pair of completed passes, one of which was hauled in by graduate wide receiver Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) in the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown. Lupoli finished the afternoon completing three of his four pass attempts for 19 yards. Williams led four receivers with 43 yards on a pair of catches.
Defensively, New Haven was led by D'won Walker (Jersey City, N.J./St. Peter's Prep) and Ryan Hodgins (Flanders, N.J./Mount Olive) who each finished with six tackles. Right behind them in the tally was Allah Sessions (Elmira, N.Y./Elmira) and Shawn Tafe (Bronx, N.Y./Fort Hamilton) who finished with five stops apiece. The Chargers defense also forced three turnovers with Tafe picking off a pair of Stonehill passes and Christian Sullivan (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) recovering a fumble.
New Haven surrendered the first seven points of the game to the Skyhawks before rattling off 31 straight points and holding Stonehill off the scoreboard until a safety late in the fourth quarter. The Chargers broke into the scoring column with Logan's 47 yard run late in the first quarter.
The Blue and Gold then broke a 7-7 halftime stalemate in the third quarter when Michael Stalenyj (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) connected on his longest field goal of the season, a 35-yarder that completed a halftime opening drive that began with a 49-yard kickoff return by Williams.
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 American International Yellow Jackets on Saturday, September 21st with kick off slated for 1:00 p.m.
