Refocused Taconic Football Stops Drury

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – After last week’s 30-6 loss to Lee, Taconic’s focus this week was on intensity

It certainly carried over to their Saturday afternoon home game against Drury; as they defeated the Blue Devils, 35-22.

Taconic senior Devon Gollman carried the ball 30 yards for its first touchdown in the first quarter. Sophomore Brandon Peaslee added the extra point to put Taconic ahead, 7-0, going into the second quarter.

Drury's defense struggled in that quarter, allowing Taconic two touchdowns. One of them came off a 68-yard pass to Devon Walker, who was left wide open. Walker, with no pressure, received the ball and ran it into the end zone; Peaslee made it 14-0.

“We’re not doing what we’re supposed to do on defense,” Drury coach Bill Bryce said. “We’re not covering the pass at all and we’re not staying on our responsibilities.”

Although Drury allowed the 68-yard touchdown, it responded a few plays later after senior Brendan Faas carried the ball up the field to the 20. Senior quarterback Nate Stump handed the ball off to senior Marquise Hamilton who ran it in for a Drury touchdown.

Taconic blocked the point after to keep it 14-6.

Walker was good for another touchdown before the end of the half to put the score at 21-6.

Taconic came out in the beginning of the third quarter and completed a 70-yard touchdown to put the score at 28-6.

The Devils began to pick things up after Taconic’s 70-yard pass. Stump ran the ball for 15 yards, and on the next play he completed a pass to senior Justin Girard, who ran it in for a Drury touchdown. Hamilton ran in the 2-point conversion, and Drury closed to within two scores, 28-14.

After the Drury touchdown, Taconic wasted no time pushing the ball up the field once again. McNeice ran the ball for 25 yards to key a scoring drive that ended with Jeno Teti going into the end zone to make it 35-14.

Drury found the end zone once more before the end of the fourth off a 20-yard completion from Stump to senior Kirby Bryce who ran it in. Stump then ran it in for the extra two points to put the final at 35-22.

Taconic's defense made a complete turn-around Saturday afternoon after last week’s loss. They were focused and positioned where they needed to be on every play.

“We made some changes on defense this week,” Taconic coach Jim Ziter said. “That was huge for us, we had to pick up our intensity and that was the theme of the week, we really had to clean it up from last week.”

While Taconic’s defense improved from its performance last week; Drury’s is one that still needs fix its gaps to ensure post-season play. The Devils will take on Mount Greylock next Friday on the road, while Taconic will host Monument Mountain next Sunday afternoon.