HENNIKER, N.H. - After falling to Fitchburg State, 48-0, in 2025, the New England College Pilgrims flipped the script on Saturday, defeating the Falcons, 23-22, in the team's first home game of the 2026 season.
Freshman Brody Sobotka (Hastings, N.Y.), making his first collegiate start, had a standout debut. Early in the first quarter, Sobotka connected on a 23-yard pass to junior Ben Roy (Windham, N.H.) before using his legs to score the game's first touchdown from two yards out.
While the Pilgrims offense gave the team an early lead, it was the NEC defense that ran the game. Each of the Falcons' first two drives ended in turnover-on-downs as the 'Grims stuffed the Fitchburg rushing attack in big spots in the early parts of the game.
After the Falcons tied the game up at 6-6 late in the first quarter, sophomore Spencer Brien (Plaistow, N.H.) immediately gave the momentum back to the Pilgrims with a 58-yard kick return into plus territory. The 'Grims capitalized, extended the drive with a fourth down conversion on a Sobotka pass to senior Isaiah Turner (Concord, N.H.) and a two-yard rushing touchdown from junior Jackson Borkush (Concord, N.H.).
On the Falcons' next drive, junior Ethan Cenesca (Manchester, N.H.) continued to be a game breaker for the Pilgrims defense forcing a Fitchburg fumble which was recovered by sophomore Dylan Roy (Windham, N.H.). Later, freshman John Pappas (Derry, N.H.) converted a 31-yard field goal to give the 'Grims a 16-6 lead. FSU entered into the two-minute drill to score just before halftime, but Cenesca picked off quarterback Andrew Galligan inside the NEC 10-yard line to send that same score into the break.
Early in the third quarter, it was the Falcons defense that came up with a big play as they forced a fumble leading to a touchdown followed by a two-point conversion to make it a 16-14 game. But later in the quarter, the defense for the Pilgrims dealt a counterblow as D. Roy intercepted Galligan and set up the Pilgrims offense inside the 5-yard line. Junior Fire Anderson (Cranford, N.J.) needed just one play to punch it in for an NEC touchdown.
The Pilgrims forced four consecutive Fitchburg State punts as the Falcons offense struggled to get anything going against the Pilgrim defense. It wasn't until the Falcons blocked an NEC punt in plus-territory that they were able to return to the end zone on Emilio Cabey's second touchdown grab of the day.
Now a one-point game, 23-22, the Pilgrims went three-and-out and punted the football back to the Falcons with just 1:35 left in the game. The Falcons started at their own 32-yard line, in need of a field goal to take their first lead of the game. The Falcons' first play of the drive saw quarterback Dasha Domercant sacked by senior Hollis Jones (Bow, N.H.), aided by the 'Grims secondary. The very next play, Jones backed up into coverage and intercepted Domercant to give the NEC the upset win.
The Pilgrims defense forced four turnovers on the day, each proving essential to the 1-point victory. Cenesca had an interception, a forced fumble, a sack, four tackles-for-loss, and 12 total stops in an all-around dominant performance. D. Roy had his best game of the season, thus far, with a fumble recovery, an interception, and two pass break-ups. Junior Jayman Jones (Manchester, N.H.) was a disruptor at the line of scrimmage with three tackles-for-loss.
The one-point victory for the Pilgrims marks another milestone as the team's first non-conference win since their return to the gridiron after a 50-year hiatus. They will attempt to carry the momentum of this win into conference play which kicks off next weekend. NEC will host Nichols at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 26th, while the campus celebrates Fall Festival and Alumni and Family Weekend.
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