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NEC Football Review: Albany, Stony Brook, Monmouth Together In First Place; CCSU's Hairston Sets Record
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Justise Hairston (CCSU)
CCSU's Justise
Hairston Sets Rushing Record

With one more week to go, only Monmouth, Albany and Stony Brook have a chance at the NEC Championship and participation in the Gridiron Classic versus the Pioneer League. The Gridiron Classic, an exempted postseason football game that will match the champions of the two I-AA football conferences, is set for December 2. This Saturday, Monmouth (9-1, 5-1 NEC) won its ninth game with a convincing, 54-20 victory over Saint Francis (PA) (2-8, 1-5 NEC). Hawks quarterback Brian Boland threw for 237 yards and three touchdowns, while freshman tailback David Sinisi ran off 143 yards and a score. Albany (7-3, 5-1 NEC) knocked out Robert Morris from the championship picture with a 16-6 triumph at Joe Walton Stadium. The teams combined for just 167 total yards, but three first-half field goals (32, 40, 43) by Jason Fralicker cleared the way for the Danes. On Staten Island, Stony Brook (5-5, 5-1 NEC) made easy work of Wagner (4-6, 0-6 NEC), toppling the Seahawks, 45-9. SBU signal caller Josh Dudash was impressive, completing 27-of-34 passes for 393 yards and a touchdown, while tailback Von Bryant rushed for three two-yard touchdowns in the first half. At Fairfield, CT, Justise Hairston broke the NEC single-season rushing record (1,630), topping the old mark of 1,524 yards established by Albany's Gary Jones in 2003. Hairston rushed for 168 yards and two scores, leading Central Connecticut State (7-3, 3-3 NEC) to a 42-14 win over Sacred Heart (2-8, 1-5 NEC). Next Saturday, the trio of Monmouth, Albany and Stony Brook each have a chance at the NEC title, however, the Hawks and Great Danes square off against each other in the regular-season finale and the Seawolves travel to New Britain to take on Central Connecticut State. If SBU wins, the Seawolves will share the NEC crown for back-to-back seasons and advance to the Gridiron Classic. The winner of Albany-Monmouth will either win the league outright, barring a Stony Brook loss, or share the crown with SBU. Stony Brook holds the tiebreaker with Monmouth and Albany due to a 2-0 mark versus the two teams.