 |
| Mulrooney (Anna Maria athletics) |
It’s been a long, tough season for the Anna Maria College football team.
That season is the first in the head coaching career of Dan Mulrooney.
Six games worth of frustration turned to one game of elation on Saturday at AMCAT Field in Paxton, Mass., against Alfred State.
When Anna Maria recovered a fumble at the 1:06 mark of the fourth quarter, it clinched a 36-34 victory. The win is the first for Mulrooney, the former Holy Cross standout, as head coach of the AMCATS.
It has been an insane couple of weeks for Mulrooney, who began his coaching career at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. On Oct. 13, Mulrooney saved the life of his neighbor Patricia Mills, who was choking on a piece of meatloaf. His actions were reported extensively, and he was described as a hero. Mulrooney had canceled practice, which meant he was home and in the right place at the right time.
 |
| Weaver (Anna Maria athletics) |
On Oct. 21, Mulrooney finally got to taste success as a head coach. It nearly didn’t happen as Alfred State rallied from a 30-7 deficit to get to within 36-34. When the onside kick was recovered, however, Mulrooney and his staff could breathe a sigh of relief.
A fun aspect of the win is two former Waterbury players contributed to it.
Trai Weaver, a senior from Holy Cross who has gone through the battles with Mulrooney this season, had a huge game at wide receiver. He caught four passes for 2010 yards and two touchdowns. The first of those touchdowns went for 99 — you read that right, 99 — yards. Weaver later hauled in a 72-yard touchdown from Emmanuel Leake. He averaged an astounding 52.5 yards per catch.
For the season, Weaver has 39 catches for 771 yards (19.8 average/catch) and eight touchdowns.
 |
| Sampson (Anna Maria athletics) |
Freshman Jude Sampson, a former Kennedy High standout, made an impact in the Anna Maria win on defense. The defensive lineman led the AMCATS in tackles with 11. He had half a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. Sampson had back-to-back tackles on one first quarter drive. On a third quarter drive, Sampson made or assisted on tackles on three plays in a four-play sequence.
For the season, Sampson has 28 tackles, 3.5 for loss.
Mulrooney got his first win on Saturday, and he was able to celebrate with not only former Waterbury players, but ex-Brass City coaches. Offensive Coordinator/QBs Coach Steve Croce was a coach at Holy Cross, and he also spent time at Post University with the sprint football team. Outside Linebackers Coach Charles McIntosh is another former Holy Cross player.
