Article written by Department of Athletics Student-Staff Writer Rich Rosa

RINDGE, N.H. (9/23/2023) –– The Franklin Pierce football team is off to their best start in program history with a 2-1 record and ready to welcome their fans to Sodexo Field on Saturday, September 23, for their home opener against the New Haven Chargers. 

Raven's head coach, Russell Gaskamp, discussed that last week's win against the Pace University Setters, 41-2, was a confidence boost for the team. Gaskamp wants to ride that momentum heading into Saturday's game against the Chargers. 

"New Haven has been a top team in the Northeast-10 conference for the last few seasons," said Gaskamp, adding that the Ravens have an older team and real depth that can compete against the best teams. Saturday's matchup will be a litmus test for the Ravens, as they take on the Chargers who have been the cream of the crop in the conference. 

It has been challenging for Franklin Pierce as they started the season on a three-game road trip. Each week, the focus for the Ravens is to get better as a football team. Gaskamp discussed that their season goals are ahead of them. Defensively, the Ravens need to stop the playmakers for New Haven. Offensively, pass protection will be crucial as red-shirt freshman quarterback Adrian Parker (Manchester, CT) and graduate transfer Jordan McAfee (Everett, MA) will need to make plays through the air. 

With the Ravens having a 2-1 record, contributions from both sides of the ball have played a major part in their success. Sophomore wide receiver Austyn Howe (Newington, CT) set a program record for most receiving yards in a single game with 197 in Franklin Pierce's 26-10 win over Lake Erie in week one. In week two against AIC, freshman wide receiver Joziah Gonzalez had 11 receptions, the most in a single game in program history, breaking the program record that Howe set in week one when he had nine receptions. Gonzalez also set a program record in week two for the longest reception in a game of 70 yards. Freshman running back Guerschom Guerrier (Naples, FL), who has played on special teams this season, blocked a punt, which resulted in freshman wide receiver Tristian Evans (East Dummerston, VT) picking up the ball and taking it 33 yards to the house in the win against Pace last Saturday. This is the first time in program history that Franklin Pierce's defense blocked a punt, recovered the ball, and ran it back for a touchdown. 

Gaskamp knew it would take time for the Ravens to become a good football program. "The players have been through the ups and downs, and they have continued to improve," said Gaskamp.

"The quarterback position has been the best in program history," said Gaskamp. Parker and McAfee have made minimal mistakes. Another feature of the offense that has improved is the offensive line. Gaskamp said, "The offensive line has gotten older, and the five players that returned to the team this year, it was their first time playing that position last year." Protecting the quarterback has been a significant improvement since the 2022 season. 

Gaskamp knew coming into this season that the defense would be the strength. He has high expectations for the defense, and everyone will be held to a high standard. They learned from their mistakes in week two's 27-24 loss to AIC. Gaskamp mentioned, "The defense should be at a championship level due to experience."

Gaskamp knows that it will be a challenge stopping the New Haven offense. He discussed that the Chargers have many playmakers that were first-team all-conference last season. The goal is to minimize the damage from the top players. The Ravens must keep the Chargers out of the red zone. The Chargers have found success in that area in the first three weeks, with a red zone touchdown percentage of 75. Overall, they have scored on seven of their eight trips to the red zone. 

The Ravens are excited to be back on their home field. Gaskamp wants to show the Pierce community what the team is made of. "People are proud about how the team has done, and I am excited to play in front of home fans," said Gaskamp. He wants faculty and students to enjoy Raven Row and get rowdy. 

One player that has shined over the last few seasons is Sam Kamara III (Old Bridge, NJ). The Ravens signed Kamara in 2020. Gaskamp says that Kamara is the glue of the defense. He discussed that he has improved tremendously on the defensive side of the ball. Kamara is physical, strong, versatile, and a valuable team member. He is the type of guy that Gaskamp and the other coaches love to have represent the football team and Franklin Pierce University. 

Kamara's focus this Saturday against New Haven is simple: execute the game plan. He knows that the team has executed on both sides of the ball. The main improvement for Kamara this season has been getting stronger throughout the summer. "The work I did during Summer Academy is showing because I have been more physical and effective in the run game this year." Kamara already has a fumble recovery this season and believes that Franklin Pierce plays in a conference where the run game is the focal point of most offenses. 

One lesson Kamara learned from last week's win against Pace is how effective complementary football is when it comes to winning. "I feel right now I am at the top of my game and only getting better," said Kamara. He has started to understand the mental part of the game, not just the physical aspects. Kamara feels that the Franklin Pierce defense is successful this year because the coaches emphasize the little details. "I think that has allowed us to step up our game as a unit regarding technique and discipline," said Kamara. 

Kamara's game day routine is simple. He gets up early and stretches before pregame meetings with the team. He goes to the athletic trainer's room to work on mobility and stretches while reviewing the game plan. Leadership is important to Kamara. He discussed that as a veteran, he knows the standard and exactly what the coaches expect daily from the players. 

He comes from an athletic family that played basketball and ran track. His brothers and cousins decided to take a different path and try football. "I would say that was a good decision for my family because it has provided so many blessings and opportunities for all of us to attend college, travel the country, and learn countless life lessons," said Kamara. He has a cousin who plays in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns and a cousin who plays at St. Anselm, Franklin Pierce's rival in the NE-10 conference. 

Kamara views his teammates as brothers and treats them like family. "Coming to Rindge, New Hampshire, from New Jersey was a culture shock for me, but my teammates have been the ones I could always lean on for anything. Franklin Pierce University is a second home, and I am grateful for the relationships with my teammates," said Kamara. 

It all starts on Saturday when the team will look to win their home opener for the first time in program history at 6 p.m. against New Haven.