Bobby Martinez – Sports Writer
NEW HAVEN — With hundreds of athletes playing Division-II football, three players on Southern Connecticut’s football team are currently fighting for that number one spot in stats for their respective position.
Mike Dunkley is in his junior at Southern Connecticut State University. In 2012, Dunkley’s finished the season with 58 tackles, 39 of which were solo. With six games in this season, Dunkley’s has already matched his total of interception from last year with three.
Dunkley said this season his team defense has a much clearer and better mindset and his team is playing well because of that.
“We been focusing and playing hard each game,” said Dunkley. “We also have been focusing on technique and getting to the ball.”
The Owls defense has allowed a staggering 24 points a game this season. Dunkley is ranked 24th in the country with three interceptions. Dunkley said the reason he has been able to help his defense this year is due to his studying of the quarterback and also off the field film study.
“I’ve been playing in coverage,” said Dunkley, “like how I’m supposed to do playing with good technique, staying focused and breaking on the ball.”
Dunkley is four interceptions behind Darnell Evans from Shaw University. Dunkley said he is happy with his game because he worked hard off-season to improve as a player and help his team as best as he could. He said if he was to finish the season as a top five leader in interceptions, it would mean a lot to him.
“It would be great,” said Dunkley, “all the hard work I put in would show and it would feel real good.”
Despite last season rough ending, the Owls are currently 3-3 and are in sync on both offense and defense. The Owls rank number five in D-II football with sacks allowed, number 19 with third down percentage and number 24 for tackles for loss.
Brian Wilcox who is ranked number 19 in the D-II football with 19 solo tackles and total tackles said he is happy with the statistic but is more happy with his team.
“It really doesn’t mean that much right now,” said senior Wilcox. “It’s a good thing but I am much more happy with the play of my team to be honest.”
Wilcox said his team defense this year has been a much better unit than last year and has been playing well.
“Our defense,” said Wilcox, “has definitely taken care of our piece of the pie. Some days our offense is doing good and our defense isn’t picking them up and vice versa.”
Wilcox has a total of 38 tackles on the season with one interception. Wilcox who is averaging 10.5 tackles a game said working on his game on and off the field is the main reason why they’re doing well this season.
“I worked hard over the off-season,” said Wilcox. “I just want to win and my drive is very good.”
Running back John Moscatel is ranked number 15 in the country with nine rushing touchdowns. In six games Moscatel has managed to put up numbers that consist of 649 rushing yards, nine touchdowns off of 109 carries.
Moscatel had a breakout game against Pace University this season rushing for a season high 159 yards and four touchdowns. As the Owls continue to march towards a playoff spot, they have four games left to help improve their 3-3 record.
The Owls have one home game left against New Haven and three games away with hopes of finishing a top of their conference standing when it’s all said and done.
