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Saturday, September 27, 2003 By John Marcucci Saturday night under a black sky waiting for the rain, the Minutemen began warming up for their fourth showdown, against the Deptford Tigers. Still plagued by injuries from the previous game, some of the Minutemen’s key players #80 Fran Maxwell, #57 Curt Abrams, #40 Anthony Astorga were still sidelined for this game. The Tigers were to receive, and after the kick-off return of about 15 yards, on the next play the tigers through a 25-yard pass to set up a 15 yard run for the score. On the Tigers extra point try, the Minutemen’s #55 Matt Bruno and #66 Denny McGrail broke into the backfield to block the kick. The Minutemen took the field with kick-off and punt return specialist #26 Vincent Marcucci and #32 Keith Schrumph ready to receive. On the return Schrumph took the ball 25 yards down to the 45-yard line where the Minutemen began a solid drive. When on third down and about 5 yards to go, quarterback #10 Kyle Nolan was thrown for a loss of about 25 yards where they were forced to punt. Upon the kick the Tigers would have an outstanding return of about 60 yards for a touchdown. With 2:42 seconds left in the first quarter the Tigers drove in for the extra point making the score 13-0. In the second quarter the Minutemen tried to rally, only to be stopped by more injuries, #33 Dan Hearn would leave the game with a bloody nose and #26 running back Vincent Marcucci after a number of solid carries would suffer a hard hit to the stomach that would put him out for almost the whole game. After the first half the coaching staff led by head coach Anthony Astorga corrected some missed assignments on the offence and defensive line and again moved some players to adjust for the injuries. The Minutemen came out ready to play. Trying to make the adjusted on the field the Minutemen seemed to be flat in all aspects of the game. Although tired and banged up late in the fourth quarter the Minutemen’s offensive line finally came together and they managed to drive up field with a 50 yard run by #32 Keith Schrumph down to the 5 yard line. On the next play #10 Kyle Nolan took it in on a quarterback keeper around the left end for the Minutemen’s first score of the game. Again late in the fourth quarter #26 Vincent Marcucci would return to the game and step in as quarterback for the injured Kyle Nolan. The offensive line headed by #98 Romel McInnis, #66 Denny McGrail, #86 Adam DeBes, #55 Matt Bruno and appearances by #65 Max Giorgi and Neil Bonner would hold off the Deptford Tigers as #26 Vincent Marcucci attempted to bring the Minutemen back. Unfortunately for the Minutemen after a few key plays time had expired with the score 27-8 and their first loss of the season. Beware Tigers “WE’LL SEE YOU IN THE PLAY-OFFS” Photos provided by John Marcucci
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