Westfield State University football kicks off the home portion of its 2021 schedule with a traditional rivalry game – hosting Western New England University in the 33rd edition of the Presidents' Cup – the annual trophy game between the two schools.
Kickoff is Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Alumni Field. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for non-Westfield State students and senior citizens. Westfield State students, and children under 12 are admitted free.
Westfield State enters the game with an 0-1 record, falling to Nichols College by a 21-6 final score last weekend. The Golden Bears come into the game with a 1-0 mark, defeating Springfield College 24-13 in their season opener last weekend.
The Owls will look to improve their offensive attack in week 2 behind quarterbacks Miles Foerster and Peyton Capizzi. Foerster, a transfer from the University of Connecticut, drew the start last weekend and finished 12-26 for 132 yards with one TD and one interception.
Capizzi came in the game to spell Foerster, and finished 3-5 passing, but most impressively scrambled for 48 yards on seven carries to fuel a late drive. First-Year Gabriel Fernandez got a few snaps late in the game as well.
The Owls will utilize a stable of running backs. Senior captain Shane Clark, junior Lee Colon, and junior OT Thomas. Colon led the Owls with 378 yards rushing in 2019, when he posted several strong games to close the season. Clark and Thomas split the lion's share of the carries last weekend.
Junior transfer Kordell Parrish had the big play last week with a 78 yard catch, while senior Tod Holloway, Jr., led the Owls with eight catches for 41 yards on the evening. Isaiah Lopez, Anthony Cintron and Anthony Franco all should figure in the Owls aerial attack.
Westfield's offensive line has good size but enters the year lacking game experience. The group is anchored by junior center Dominic Carme and junior Gabriel Velez. Junior Zachary Thetreault made the move from tight end to down lineman this fall. Sophomore Alvin Yvon and freshman Sean Ferguson are part of a large group of newcomers that could have an impact as the group battles for time.
Defensively, returnees Peter Spinale, Noah Juaire and DaiJonn Cummings lead the defensive line, with senior David White moving from linebacker to defensive line. Spinale was named a co-captain for 2021. Sophomore Cade Nelson blocked a field goal try last week, and was named to the league's special teams honor roll. Junior Julian Bass picked up the Owls' only sack in the opening week.
Among the defensive backs, sophomore Travis Dozier, Jr. came up with a goal-line interception to thwart a scoring drive last week. Senior Daniel Ladue and Joseph Dumoulin also return with game experience for the owls. Newcomers Marlek Conner Jr and Christian Julian both figure to see a lot of game action.
Senior Robbie Nelson anchors the linebacker corps, while junior Cameron Danahy finished with 13 tackles. Junior Cullen MacNeil rounds out the starting trio, with many more competing for time on the field.
Western New England won the turnover battle last week, capitalizing on three fumble recoveries and an interception.
Quarterback Bryce Karstetter led the attack, finishing 15-28 for 142 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and added 31 yard on the ground.
Dillon Kohl led the Golden Bears in rushing with 43 yards on seven carries.
Adam Razza topped the receiving corps for WNE on opening day with 75 yards and a touchdown on three catches. Steven Fedorchak made five grabs for 42 yards and a touchdown. Fedorchak had a huge game the last time the Owls and Bears met, with nine catches for 319 yards and five touchdowns in the 2019 matchup.
Defensively, linebacker Erich Keutmann led WNE with 12 tackles and a sack. Bailey Devine-Scott and Ricky Montalvo each added nine tackles and forced fumbles.
The Series: Western New England leads the Owls 18-14 in the all-time series, and has won nine of the last ten matchups. The Golden Bears outscored the Owls 56-35 in 2019 at Alumni Field, the last time the two teams met. There was no game in the fall of 2020 due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
LIVE COVERAGE: Live stats, and video webstream of the game are available at WestfieldStateOwls.com. All Westfield State home games are also available through the MASCAC.tv channel on Roku and Amazon streaming devices. Westfield State alumnus Mike Drew '16 and Matt Motyka '22 have the call of the game.
What's Next: Westfield State travels to Western Connecticut State University for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff on Friday, September 17. Western New England will travel to Utica (NY) College on Saturday September 18 for a 6:00 kickoff.