NEWPORT NEWS, VA. – Trailing by two less than midway through the fourth quarter, the William Paterson football team (0-7, 0-6 NJAC) saw its comeback attempt fall just short at Christopher Newport (5-2, 4-2 NJAC), 27-19, Oct. 21.
 
Sophomore defensive back Tyler Gross (Pomona, N.Y./North Rockland) helped keep a scoreless first quarter with his late interception at the WP 14-yard line, but the Captains seized an 8-0 lead 38 seconds into the second period when sophomore quarterback Jack Anderson connected with senior wide receiver Khiry Weaver on a five-yard touchdown pass, and sophomore Nick Hunter tossed the two-point conversion to senior Legend Hayes.
 
Freshman Ben Garbarini made it an 11-0 margin with a 32-yard field goal with 9:42 on the clock, then kicked a 27-yarder as time expired for a 14-0 halftime score.
 
A 27-yard gain by freshman running back William Frese (Waldwick, N.J./Waldwick) on fourth-and-three kept the chains moving and eventually led to senior quarterback James Waldron (Edison, N.J./Edison) finding freshman wide receiver Siraj Abdul-Malik (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) for a 23-yard touchdown at the 3:51 mark of the third quarter. The PAT was blocked, and the Pioneers trailed by a 14-6 count.
 
Sophomore linebacker Corey Anthony (Hopewell Junction, N.Y./John Jay) forced a fumble that was recovered by senior defensive lineman Olajuwon Salako (Maplewood, N.J./Columbia) at the Pioneers' 14-yard line to start the fourth quarter, and the Captains fumbled a punt return at the end of the next possession that was recovered by freshman linebacker Shawn Williams (Rutherford, N.J./Rutherford) at the WP-45. Four plays later, a second Waldron strike, this one for six yards to Frese, pulled William Paterson to within two at 14-12 with 9:15 remaining. The Pioneers went for two in an attempt to knot the score, but could not come up with a completed pass.
 
Christopher Newport extended it back to a two-possession game on its next drive with a Harrison Dandridge 19-yard carry and Garbarini extra point (21-12, 5:52), then tacked on an Anderson four-yard scoring run at the 2:05 mark for a 27-12 advantage.
 
Senior wide receiver Tyler Vivian (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) crossed the goal line for the second straight game, scoring a 35-yard touchdown through the air with 49 seconds left before sophomore Joe Stoltenberg (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) kicked the PAT.
 
Waldron finished 16-for-32 for 197 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions under center. Junior running back Cahsim Henry (Lindenwold, N.J./Lindenwold) rushed seven times for a team-best 82 yards, and Abdul-Malik caught six passes for 95 yards and a score.
 
Anthony led the Pioneer defense with 12 tackles (10 solo) and a forced fumble. Freshman linebacker Bryan King (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) finished with 10 stops, and junior linebacker Charles Faulkner (Carteret, N.J./Carteret) added nine tackles.
 
Anderson went 27-for-34 for 269 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Captains. Dandridge carried 15 times for 41 yards and a TD, while freshman Cole Blais gained 103 yards off eight receptions.
 
Senior defensive back Tyrell Noel led CNU with six tackles, an interception, blocked kick and three pass breakups. Junior linebacker Demetrius Arties added five stops (1.5 TFL).
 
William Paterson will celebrate Family Day Saturday, Oct. 28, when the Pioneers host The College of New Jersey at 1:00 p.m.
 
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