THE BASICS:

- Score: Assumption 56, Merrimack 7

- Records: Assumption (4-0, 3-0 NE-10), Merrimack (1-3, 1-2 NE-10)

- Location: Worcester, Mass. (Multi-Sport Stadium)

- The Lead: Behind a dominating all-around performance including 49 first half points, the No. 24 Assumption football team drubbed Merrimack 56-7 to improve to a perfect 4-0 on the season.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

- Assumption jumped on Merrimack fast, as senior defensive back Andrew Benson (East Bridgewater, Mass. / East Bridgewater) picked off the Warriors on third and six, leading to a seven yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Cody Williams (Wilbraham, Mass. / Springfield Central / Monmouth) to put the Hounds up 7-0.

- On the very next drive, sophomore corner Shawn Springs Jr. (Sicklerville, N.J. / Timber Creek Regional / Milford Academy) jumped a route and returned it to the house, recording his first pick-6 of his career and doubling the Assumption lead.

- After senior Marc Monks (Annandale, N.J. / North Hunterdon) found junior Deonte Harris (Baltimore, Md. / Archbishop Curley) in the back of the end zone, senior Chris Caraballo (Staten Island, N.Y. / Monsignor Farrell) blocked a punt and Monks rushed for a 10-yard touchdown, putting the Hounds up 28-0.

- Senior wide receiver Ashton Grant (Manchester, Conn. / Manchester / East Coast Prep) put the game away from there, hauling in both a 12-yard and 55-yard touchdown pass to make the score 42-0.

- The two teams went into the half with the score 49-7, as senior Sam Blake (Springfield, Mass. / East Longmeadow / Williston Northhampton) caught his second touchdown of the season.

- After a scoreless third quarter, Williams stood in the pocket and took a hard hit, but delivered a pass to the corner of the end zone where junior Kevin Falaki (Assonet, Mass. / Apponequet Regional) was on the receiving end, closing out the score at 56-7.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

- Monks led an efficient Assumption offense, as the senior completed 18-of-30 passes to go with four touchdowns through the air, while also adding one on the ground. Sophomore Khaleed Exum-Strong (Norwichtown, Conn. / Norwich Free Academy / Trinity Pawling) led the ground attack, rushing for 69 yards on six carries, good for an 11.5 average.

- The defense forced six turnovers, including four interceptions and two fumbles. Benson was the standout, as the captain recorded two interceptions and recovered a fumble, while also making eight tackles.

- Grant tallied his first multi-touchdown game of the season, hauling in his second and third touchdown reception of the year. Grant also racked up 76 receiving yards on four receptions, while Harris led all receivers with 119 yards on six catches and a score.

- Junior Kaleb Silva (Revere, Mass. / Revere) led the defense with nine tackles including seven solo, while senior linebacker Charles Williams III (Hartford, Conn. / A.I. Prince Technical) forced and recovered a fumble.

- Williams recorded his second rushing and passing touchdown of his Assumption career, while Falaki caught his first touchdown of his collegiate career.

- CJ Scarpa was 36-for-66 for 273 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions for Merrimack. Derrick Villard rushed for 92 yards on 17 carries (5.4 average) and Cody Demers led the Warriors with 76 yards receiving on ten catches.

- Today Assumption welcomed Eloise Knowlton as its celebrity coach. Dr. Knowlton currently serves as the Dean of Undergraduate Studies at Assumption.

UP NEXT:

- The Hounds return to action next Saturday when they travel to LIU Post for a rematch of last year's NE10 Championship game. The contest is slated to start at 1:00 p.m.

STAY CONNECTED:

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