The Indians’ football team improved to 4-4 (3-0 in SCC Division II West) with a 63-28 victory at Law on Nov. 1. Guilford can win its first SCC Division II West crown with a triumph over Hillhouse (3-5) at home on Friday, Nov. 8.

In the contest, Joe Nault ran for 218 yards and five touchdowns on 13 carries on the ground and threw for another pair on 71 yards. David Knapp also added 203 rushing yards on 24 attempts with a score of his own. Eric Zergiebel rushed for 65 yards on seven rushes.

“This was an incredible game,” said Head Coach Tom Unger. “Joe Nault had an amazing game; Duke Knapp had a lot of big runs in the second half as we wore them down. Tony Pensa had a great kickoff return where he looked down, but knees never touched and he smoothly bounced up and gained an additional 20-30 yards on the return.”

After Law went up 7-0 on a 7-yard pass, the Indians responded with 85 and 6-yard touchdown dashes from Nault to put Guilford up 14-7 to end the first.

The Lawmen went up by one on a score from two yards out prior to Nault running for 78 yards to the end zone. Law did strike back with a 3-yard scoring rush; although Nault ended the half’s scoring on a 23-yard run, as the Indians were up, 28-21.

Nault again kept Guilford ahead with a 1-yard sprint for a score before Pensa (2 catches, 71 yards) grabbed a 46-yard scoring reception, which was followed by Nault running it in on the two-point conversion. The Lawmen connected on a 20-yard hookup to end the third, yet the Indians sealed the win in the fourth with a 25-yard connection between Nault and Pensa before two more points were tacked on by Knapp, who had 55 and 2-yard scampers for scores.

“Eric Zergiebel had some good rushes as well and he opened up most of the big runs by Nault and Knapp with key blocks,” said Unger. “His blocking has been a big reason for our offensive success this season, and when he carries the ball he does an excellent job also.”

Guilford (694 all-purpose yards) also committed no penalties in the victory. Defensively, Nash Singleton, Ben Fazzina, and Zach Soffer each had an interception. Ford Linell led the tackles department with 14, being followed by Fred Trotta (8), along with Knapp, Derek Battick, and Mike Hubbell (each with 7). Linell also forced a fumble that Mike Filley recovered.

Guilford hasn’t won an outright division title in the 20-year history of the SCC. It twice shared what used to be the Hammonasset Division championship in 1998 and 1999 with Hand and North Haven.