By Charlie Adams
NEFJ Correspondent
EASTON — Stonehill picked up its first win of the season in its home opener over Sacred Heart this Saturday, 35-21. A rainy afternoon at W.B. Mason Stadium brought a heavy rushing attack for the Skyhawks that Jarel Washington took full advantage of.
Washington finished the game with 184 rushing yards and two touchdowns across 23 carries. He was complemented in the backfield by Zavion Woodard’s 110 rushing yards and one touchdown on 19 attempts.
“When the weather is like this in New England, you got to be able to run the football,” said Stonehill coach Eli Gardner.
The rain and rushing success created a quiet day for Ashur Carraha under center, attempting only 10 passes during the game. Carraha was still effective, with two passing touchdowns and key contributions on the ground.
Carraha entered Saturday’s game as the team’s leading rusher, being a threat to scramble brought some needed variety to the rush-heavy offense.
“It just adds another element to us,” he said. “It’s definitely an important part of our offense.”
Stonehill started off strong as Washington turned a fourth-down conversion into a 26-yard rushing touchdown. The Skyhawks added on with their next drive as Carraha found Chase Miller in the corner of the end zone to go up 14-0 in the first quarter.
A missed 42-yard field goal attempt by Stonehill’s Danny Hurley opened the door for Sacred Heart. Jalen Madison burst up the right sideline and dove for the pylon on a 23-yard touchdown to cut the deficit in half.
Washington’s big offensive day was punctuated by a 72-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of the following drive. After the game, he thanked his blockers for their efforts.
“I just could say thank you to our o-line, we have a very good o-line. The whole running back group is great, we all could have had the same kind of game.”
Before halftime, the Skyhawks ran the ball nine straight plays before Carraha made a jump pass for a 5-yard touchdown to his tight end Cody Ruff.
Gardner liked what he saw, “I thought we did a great job, especially in the first half offensively.”
The second half kicked off with Sacred Heart looking to climb back into the game. John Michalski held onto the football on an option for a 2-yard rushing touchdown.
Sacred Heart got within one score in the final two minutes of the game, Michalski connected with Ethan Hilliman for a 17-yard touchdown to make it 28-21. The following onside kick attempt went out of bounds, giving Stonehill possession.
Woodard lined up in the backfield needing three yards on third down to allow the Skyhawks to run out the rest of the clock. Instead, he found an opening and secured a 31-yard rushing touchdown. Hurley finished his day 5/5 on PAT attempts, putting the game out of reach 35-21.
“It’s really cool to finish with the ball in your hands at the end of the game and to score a touchdown when you’re trying to run out the clock,” Gardner said.
Gardner was proud of the team’s defensive efforts, “There was a little adversity here and there, but we just kept our composure and kept our confidence.”
Stonehill has a bye week before starting conference play against Wagner the following week.
“In the bye week we want to do a good job of getting our guys healthy, first and foremost.” Gardner finished, “We want to be really great at the fundamentals and what makes us successful and focusing on Stonehill.”