By Danielle Achin
Sports Editor
The Rams football team closed their 2022 season with a 21-16 win under the Friday night lights at Bowditch Field against Worcester State Nov. 11.
Both teams and fans in the bleachers would remember the game, not just for the victory over the Lancers on home turf, but for the rainy and cold weather conditions making for a wet showdown.
The Lancers were the first on the board, taking a 6-0 lead with a 3-yard rush from Amir Mells for the touchdown at the 7:50 mark.
With 0:51 on the clock in the first quarter, Lancers’ kicker Santiago Rodriguez-D'Atri converted a 29-yard field goal giving Worcester State the 9-0 lead.
A few minutes into the second quarter, Rams’ quarterback Noah Leonard completed a 31-yard pass to wide receiver Nicholas Gordon to the six yard line.
This set up the Rams for a 6-yard rush from running back Marcus McBean Jr. to the endzone. An extra point by kicker Matthew Farley made for the 9-7 score.
A few minutes later, Rams’ wide receiver Jaden Lewis recovered a fumble. After a 10-yard holding penalty against Framingham, running back Devaun Ford rushed 37 yards to the 18 yard line.
Ford then connected with Leonard for the 11-yard touchdown for the Rams. With another extra point by Farley, the Rams led by 14-9, taking the lead for good.
After a scoreless third quarter, McBean Jr. opened the fourth quarter with a 4-yard rush to the endzone less than a minute into the final frame.
A touchdown run from McBean Jr. and another completed kick from Farley left the Lancers trailing 21-9.
Worcester State managed to add to their score in the very last seconds of the game, but the final margin would remain with the Rams victorious for a 21-16 score.
With a final game season win on home turf, Farley said although they were not so happy with the overall record, the team made leaps in certain areas that will help them move forward for upcoming seasons.
He said, “We could have easily put our heads in the ground and ended the season with a loss, but we made adjustments and were able to send the seniors off with a win in their last game.
“Guys getting in the weight room and watching lots of film will only help us in the long run. We will be back and better,” he added.
McBean Jr. also commented on the team’s season saying they all had to have complete trust in each other to get the job done.
He said, “This season, we faced some tough obstacles as a team but we never gave up on each other. I felt like everyone played together as a team and we all trusted each other to get the job done.”
The Framingham State football team ended their 2022 season with a 5-5 overall record, and 4-4 in the MASCAC Conference.