Football ended their season with a record of 3–6 after a decisive win against Bates College (0–9) in Lewiston, ME on Saturday, Nov. 3. The Continentals beat the Bobcats 38–13, with standout showings from Alex Ganter ’19 and Joe Park ’22.
Hamilton struck first in the game, with a field goal about 5 minutes into the quarter from Sam Thoreen ’22, his fifth field goal out of seven attempts during the season. A defensive play by Jeremy Barr ’21 gave Hamilton another two points on a safety with 38 seconds left in the first quarter.
The second quarter was an important one for the Bobcats as they pulled into the lead. A 12-play, 70-yard drive from Bates led to a short touchdown pass. After their kicker missed the extra point, Bates looked to hold their edge on defense.
On the ensuing drive, Hamilton’s Kenny Gray ’20 handed the ball off to Park, who ran the ball 46 yards
for a touchdown with a little over three minutes remaining in the half. Thoreen’s extra point was good, and Hamilton pulled ahead 12–6. Not to be denied an exciting finish to the half, Bates scored another touchdown off of a 41-yard pass, this time nailing their extra point for a 13–12 lead. The final half of play was dominated by Hamilton, which held the Bobcats to zero points for the remainder of the game. The third quarter began uneventfully with a Bates possession resulting in a punt attempt. Dana Marrocco ’19 blocked the punt and Jared Schwartz ’22 recovered the ball at the 22-yard line and ran the ball unopposed into the endzone for Hamilton’s second touchdown from a blocked punt of the season.
Hamilton was now up 18–13, and Bates would not recover. Ian Esliker ’21 blocked another punt and Joe Schmidt ’20 had a diving touchdown inside of the pylon for a score of 24–13 with a few minutes left in the third.
Bates fumbled their next possession, which was recovered by Ganter. The Bobcats forced the punt after four plays, but they were flagged for running into the kicker, so Hamilton gained the first down with 42 yards to go to the end-zone.
Park took the direct snap and rushed straight through the gut of the defense, pushing his way through a heap of bodies and sprinting to the endzone. His touchdown and Thoreen’s extra point gave Hamilton a 31–13 cushion.
Sam Bowen ’20 intercepted the Bates quarterback with roughly eight minutes left, cementing a strong performance from him during the game. He broke up three passes during the game in addition to his interception.
Park scored another touchdown off of a three-yard run and Thoreen sank the extra point for a 38–13 advantage. The Bobcats’ next two possessions ended in interceptions.
Park ran for a career-high 187 yards, capping off a breakout season from the first-year. Schmidt had 73 yards and his first rushing touchdown at Hamilton, and ends the season as second in the NESCAC in total receptions and receptions per game.
Hamilton’s defense was particularly powerful during the game, with Ganter earning NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week for his nine tackles, fumble recovery, and blocked extra point. Interceptions came from Bowen, Justin Leigh ’20 and Jack Parker ’22. Carmine Bruno ’20 and James Ball ’21 each had nine tackles as well. Senior leaders Sean Tolton ’19 and Cole Burchill ’19 each delivered as well; Tolton had a sack and Burchill forced a fumble.
The game was a successful ending to the Continentals’ 3–6 season, and the Continentals are looking forward to next season with a talented roster of returning underclassmen, and established veterans such as Gray, Schmidt, and Bowen looking to move into leadership roles during their senior year.
