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The Spectator
Turnovers Prevent Second Win
by David Biel '13Sports Writer
October 30, 2009
Only a few weeks ago, it appeared like the Hamilton football team had, for the first time in several years, gotten off to a pretty hopeful start. This was after the Continentals' 26-14 victory at home on Oct. 3 against Wesleyan. Hamilton had losts its home opener against Amherst in a very close match and played the best football of recent memory.
But then history reared its ugly head, and Hamilton lost its next three games in a very unconvincing fashion. Not exactly the ideal way to capitalize on such a promising start.
On a rainy Oct. 24, Hamilton suffered their fourth and arguably their toughest loss of the season at home against Colby, as they were shut out 16-0. Hamilton's offense couldn't get anything going all day. Quarterback Lance Wilson '12 had an especially difficult game, completing only nine of his 29 pass attempts and throwing three interceptions. The Continentals also lost two fumbles and permitted a safety in the last quarter, burying all hopes for a comeback. Nevertheless, it was the Continentals rushing "attack" that struggled the most, ending the game with an embarrassing total of -14 net yards on the ground. With the loss, Hamilton fell to 1-4 on the season.
The loss hurts because Hamilton already managed to come back into a game that appeared to be lost earlier this season. Against Wesleyan, Hamilton succeeded at coming back after digging themselves into a hole early after giving up two straight rushing touchdowns within the first half. But the Cardinals wouldn't score again. Down 14-0 in the middle of the second quarter, Continentals quarterback Lance Wilson '11 got Hamilton on the board, tossing a 23-yard touchdown strike to RB Mark Snickenberger '11 to reduce the Wesleyan lead to seven points. After two more touchdown passes from Wilson in the second half and a short touchdown run by RB Dylan Isenberg '12, Hamilton took the 26-14 win over Wesleyan.
Unfortunately, this is where the good news ends, as the next week's game at undefeated Trinity was the beginning of what would become Hamilton's current three-game slide. Trinity remained undefeated, crushing Hamilton 38-8 on the back of a dominating performance against the Continental defense. Hamilton's only score of the game came with three seconds remaining in the third quarter, when Wilson tossed a two-yard touchdown pass to RB Donovan Flint '11. In the end, what doomed the Continentals was a combination of passing turnovers, with Wilson and QB Dan Peters '13 combining for five interceptions, and an inability to stop the Trinity running attack. By the end of the game, Hamilton gave up 156 rushing yards to Trinity, including 151 alone to RB Oliver Starnes.
Next up came another away game, this time against Bowdoin on Oct. 17. Despite a touchdown pass from Wilson to wide receiver Ryan Cray '12 in the second quarter, Hamilton simply couldn't keep up with Bowdoin, losing 21-7. The Continentals had its share of highs and lows, paving the way for 115 total rushing yards but also struggling against the pass rush, allowing five total sacks. But the main issue in this game was Hamilton's inability to stop the Bowdoin passing game: the Continentals secondary allowed three different receivers to end the game with at least five receptions, and simply couldn't stop Bowdoin QB Oliver Kell, who passed for 272 yards and two touchdowns.
Looking to end its losing streak, Hamilton will travel to Williamstown, Mass. to face Williams this Sunday.