Brockport Eagles put on a Homecoming thriller

On Homecoming weekend, the Brockport Golden Eagle’s football team earned its third straight victory over the College of New Jersey. With a 41-17 win, Head Coach Rocco Salomone earned his one 100th career victory.

Defensive backs Colby Morabito and Jesse Galvin played lock down defense, helping hold the Lions to just 177 yards through the air.

Morabito had yet another interception this week, which was just one of four interceptions that the Eagles had that day.

Coming into the game, the College of New Jersey football team  was ranked eighth in the nation for yards per game with 521. Leaving the game, the Lions offense only managed 359 yards on 93 plays.

The Eagles, on the other hand, totaled 532 yards on 75 plays.

Quarterback Joe Scibilia had another strong performance, throwing for 366 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions.

Scibilia is currently ranked seventh and eighth in the country in passing yards per game and total offense, respectively. He has now thrown for 10 touchdowns on the year to just two interceptions.

The line again brought its axes, chopping down the Lions defense and clearing a path for Tyrone Nichols and Shireem Cobb, who combined for 166 yards on 39 carries.

On the first play of the third quarter, Nichols stiff-armed his way through the defense en-route to a 55-yard touchdown, bringing  the Eagles to a comfortable 34-17 lead.

For the remainder of the game, the Eagles were on cruise control and had the opportunity to put some other players in.

Sophomore running back Shireem Cobb was a wrecking ball, blowing up the Lions defense anytime  he touched the ball. Scibilia threw darts for touchdowns and the line was busy chopping down the sequoias that were the Lions defense.

One thing that was a little more special Saturday, Salomone  finally reached his 100th career victory.

“Since he was in fourth grade, he wanted to play professional football,” said Kelly Salomone, Rocco Salomone’s wife.  
“He played some football in Canada shortly after college and after that he came here and became the first full-time assistant football coach for the College at Brockport in 1990,” she said.

Sept. 18 marked 22 years since Salomone began working with the Eagles as an assistant coach, and Kelly Salomone said he still has his “same routine, just another game” attitude.

“No game is ever bigger than the next for him,” Kelly Salomone said.

In attendance for Salomone’s 100th win was 2012 Brockport Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Bob Darnley.

Darnley played for Salomone from 2002 to 2005, leading the Eagles to three of their four NCAA appearances.

Although Darnley said he felt “strange being in the stands,” he also said he was “excited to be back” as it was his first time since he graduated.

“Everything is different,” Darnley said. “The team got new jerseys, helmets and that building, the SERC. It’s just great to be back.”

Darnley was able to remember his own achievements and celebrate his former coach’s significant win as part of a buzzing crowd.

It was a great Homecoming weekend and an even better memory for those who were fortunate enough to be a part of the win. But as one win becomes a memory, the next opponent has to become a focus. Next up, Kean University at noon, Sept. 22.