BY JONATHAN PRESSMAN ’14
Copy Editor

Following its 35-10 win over McDaniel College, the F&M football team huddled together, and shouted “1-0!”

Those unfamiliar with the reasons behind this might not understand why six games and five wins into the season, the Dips would only credit themselves with a single victory.

Since the start of this season, F&M’s motto has been “1-0 every week,” and the team has gone into every game believing that. By taking things as they come, the team has commanded the season.

F&M controlled both ends of the game, as the defense had an impressive showing, holding the Green Terror to just three points in the first half. On the attack, E.J. Schneider ’14 was well protected behind a stalwart offensive line, enabling him to throw for 178 yards and scramble his way to a 25-yard touchdown run of his own.

The Dips jumped to an early 14-0 lead to open up the second quarter after Mike Shin ’13 forced a McDaniel fumble off of the punt, which he then recovered. Scott LaValva ’15 was able to wrap up the drive with an eight-yard touchdown run.

McDaniel responded with a field goal, showing signs of life in the third quarter as they cut F&M’s lead to four points with a touchdown and a successful point after.

But F&M quickly dashed McDaniel’s hopes with a pair of unanswered touchdowns, sparked by two long connections from Schneider to Paul McGann ’15, good for 44 and 42 yards, and his only receptions of the day. McGann finished with a game high 86 yards receiving on the day.

“We’ve come a long way from where we were last year, and just have to keep focused and keep working hard, and hopefully, keep this momentum,” McGann said. “As a receiving corps, we’ve worked really well together this year.”

Along with McGann, Jordan Zackery ’15 contributed to the offensive push with 55 yards receiving, and Frank Strumolo ’16 hammered his way to the end zone for a pair of touchdowns, and a total 77 rushing yards.

“Our backs had a really good game today and our line had a good push,” Zackery said. “We just stuck to the basics, everyone executed, and we had a good game.”

John Troxell, head coach of the football team, was pleased with the team effort coming off a bye week, and particularly with the positivity the Dips have practiced all season regardless of what the scoreboard read.

“Every game is going to be a game and I think we match up with anyone in this league if we play our game,” Troxell said.

Troxell also noted the importance of size, which has been supplied this season by Ryan Ignatovig ’16, A.J. Koikoi ’16, Sam Dickinson ’14 and Sami Caygoz ’13.

F&M’s 4-1 conference record has them in a tie for second place in the Centennial, trailing the undefeated Johns Hopkins University.

The Diplomats will look to continue their winning ways next week against Moravian College, as the Diplomats celebrate the annual homecoming game here in Lancaster. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. during Homecoming, Alumni, and Parents Weekend.

Questions? Email Jonathan at jpressma@fandm.edu.

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By TCR