Skyhawks Stay Grounded, Run Over Sacred Heart
Stonehill secured its first win of the 2024 season in impressive fashion, defeating former NEC rival Sacred Heart 35-21, behind a dominant rushing performance from Jarel Washington. The Skyhawks’ ground attack was the story of the day, as Washington racked up 184 yards and two touchdowns, including a breathtaking 72-yard sprint that helped the Skyhawks build an insurmountable lead.
The tone was set early, with Washington scoring on a 26-yard run to open up the scoring minutes into the game. Stonehill continued to dominate in the first half, with quarterback Ashur Carraha leading the offense efficiently. Carraha threw two first-half touchdown passes, one to Chase Miller and another to Cody Ruff, helping Stonehill jump out to a 28-7 halftime lead. Carraha was poised and effective, showing excellent control of the game, finishing with crucial completions that kept Sacred Heart on their heels.
Washington’s second touchdown—a blazing 72-yard run—came just moments after Sacred Heart had scored, instantly swinging momentum back in Stonehill’s favor. His explosive play was part of a rushing performance that totaled 354 yards, as fellow back Zavion Woodard added 110 yards and a touchdown of his own. Woodard’s late 31-yard touchdown run sealed the victory with under a minute to play, capping a near-perfect day on the ground for the Skyhawks.
While Sacred Heart tried to mount a comeback, they couldn't overcome the deficit. Pioneers quarterback John Michalski threw for 143 yards and a touchdown, adding a 2-yard rushing score, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with Stonehill’s high-powered offense. Sacred Heart's running back Jalen Madison also had a solid day with 110 yards rushing and a 23-yard touchdown in the second quarter, but the Pioneers were consistently outmatched by the Skyhawks' rushing attack.
Ashur Carraha’s performance should not go unnoticed amidst the dominance on the ground. His leadership and precision passing kept the Skyhawks balanced and prevented Sacred Heart from focusing solely on stopping the run. His ability to extend drives, including the two first-half touchdown passes, was critical to building and maintaining Stonehill’s big lead.
This win not only marks a crucial step forward for Stonehill in their season but also showcases the potential of their offense moving forward. With Washington, Woodard, and Carraha all firing on all cylinders, the Skyhawks have the tools to compete at a high level in their conference.
Stonehill moves to 1-2 on the season and will look to carry this momentum into their next game against Wagner on October 5. If they continue to execute with this level of efficiency and explosiveness, the Skyhawks could quickly turn their season around.
