Westfield State Athletics

The Westfield State College football team hosts Fitchburg State on Saturday, Oct. 31, in its final home game. The New England Football Conference (NEFC) Bogan Division contest kicks off at 12:00 p.m.

WEB TV: Westfield State’s home games can be viewed live on video stream; go to www.mascac.tv to watch the game free of charge. Handling the play-by-play is Westfield State student Matt LaPan.

SENIOR SALUTE: Sixteen Westfield seniors will be playing in their final home game: David Benoit, Matt Denman, Nick Leverone, Josh Mathieu, Jason Proule, Chris Coutu, Joe Riccardi, Chris James, Josh Leger, Brian Barber, Ricky Ayala, Thomas Taylor, Matt Fall, Nick Gniadek, Jon Palmer, and Adrian Lafayette.

THE RECORDS: Westfield is 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Bogan Divison after posting a big 28-19 homecoming victory over Bridgewater last week. It was the Owls’ third straight victory. Fitchburg dropped to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the division after getting routed last week at Mass. Maritime, 57-37. Fitchburg, however, has defeated Bridgewater, 26-20, and Coast Guard, 37-34, in overtime. The Falcons have lost to Springfield, 55-7, Framingham, 40-37, and Worcester, 20-10. Fitchburg had beaten Westfield four straight times before the Owls posted a 37-30 victory over the Falcons last season.

NEFC WEEKLY HONORS: Westfield’s entire defense turned in a stellar performance vs. Bridgewater, with sophomore defensive back Ryan O’Connell named to the NEFC weekly honor roll with seven solo tackles and two pass breakups. Sophomore running back Luke Johnson rushed for 101 yards on 33 carries and caught two passes for 19 yards. Fitchburg quarterback Jordan Cannava completed 18 of 32 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns vs. Mass. Maritime; he also rushed for a touchdown.

NCAA DIVISION III NATIONAL HONORS: Westfield continues to lead the nation in interceptions (22) and pass efficiency defense. The Owls rank second in turnover margin (plus 2.25) and ninth in scoring defense (10.38 points per game). Individually, Josh Mathieu ranks fourth in interceptions (7 in 8 games), Luke Johnson is 20th in rushing (116.38), and Chris Stengel is 18th in punting (39.38). Fitchburg ranks ninth in turnover margin (plus 1.63) and punter Kyle Callahan is 17th (39.44).

SCOUTING THE FALCONS: Steve Austin leads the Falcons in rushing (104.71), while quarterback Jordan Cannava has completed 130 of 260 passes for 1,641 yards, 16 touchdowns and only five interceptions. His leading receivers are Carlos De La Rosa (38 catches, 652 yards, 9 touchdowns) and Devon Jennings (38-411, 4 touchdowns). De La Rosa and Jennings are both threats returning punts and kickoffs. Evan Georgopoulos has converted 8 of 11 field goal attempts and 17 of 21 PATs. Fitchburg’s leading tacklers are linebacker Anthony Bizzotto (75 tackles), linebacker Will Gasson (61 tackles) cornerback Dale Whittredge (55 tackles, two interceptions), and tackle Sean McGinn (38 tackles, 12 for losses, three sacks).

SCOUTING THE OWLS: Two Owl sophomores are looking to surpass a grand total. Johnson has rushed for 931 net yards on 209 carries, while quarterback Kyle Anderson has thrown for 970 passing yards. Anderson has also rushed for 359 net yards and six touchdowns. Dave Benoit leads the Owls in receiving (36 catches, 550 yards, 2 touchdowns) and Evan Berneche has 22 catches for 281 yards and two scores. The Owls, ranked first in the NEFC in total defense, are led in the secondary by Mathieu (seven interceptions), Nick Leverone (five interceptions) and Dave Jolicoeur (four interceptions). Linebacker Chris James has team highs of 67 tackles and three fumble recoveries. Senior linebacker Matt Denman has 49 tackles, including 10 for losses and two sacks. Lineman Nick Gniadek has 37 stops and team-highs of 12 tackles for losses and six sacks.

LOOKING AHEAD: Westfield concludes its regular season on Saturday, Nov. 7, when it plays at Worcester State. Fitchburg hosts Maine Maritime in another key NEFC Bogan Division game