NE-10 Leaders Go Head-to-Head 

By Mike Szostak, Providence Journal Sports Writer

In a league dominated for years by Bentley, C.W. Post and Southern Connecticut, the two teams that will play for first place in the Northeast-10 tomorrow are none of the above.

Bryant (5-0, 5-0 Northeast-10) and Stonehill (4-1, 4-0 NE-10) are the unlikely unbeatens as the second half of the season unfolds, and they will bang helmets at Bulldog Stadium.

Bryant is off to its best start in school history but is in somewhat familiar territory. The Bulldogs earned a share of the NE-10 title last year and a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Stonehill, on the other hand, is exploring new ground under first-year head coach Robert Talley. The Skyhawks have already matched their highest victory total of any season in this decade.

Bryant coach Marty Fine, who has raised the standard for success in his four years at Bryant, gives Talley all the credit for Stonehill's turnabout.

"He has done a really good job of coaching. He got to his players and convinced them of his values. The instant credibility he has created, you can see it on film," Fine said. "They don't turn it over. They have 15 takeaways in four games. They don't give up cheap touchdowns. The ball doesn't go over their heads. They're very, very physical."

Defense sets this Stonehill team apart from its predecessors, and that is a direct result of Talley's influence. He played linebacker at Boston University, was an assistant defensive coach at UMass for five years, a linebackers coach at Colby College for a season and a defensive coach and coordinator at Dartmouth for eight years. He was an assistant offensive line coach with the San Francisco 49ers the last two years.

"They are sophisticated on defense to a very high level, the most sophisticated since I got here four years ago," Fine said.

Stonehill and Central Washington are tied for the lead in Division II in turnover margin with plus-12. The Skyhawks have turned the ball over three times in five games, one interception and two fumbles. They have intercepted eight passes and recovered seven fumbles for a total of 15 takeaways.

"That's the best coaching job on defense I've seen in my four years here," Fine said.

Fine is optimistic that his senior quarterback, Charles Granatell, a four-year starter, will solve the problems posed by Stonehill's defense.

The Bulldogs are coming off one of their biggest victories, a 24-17 triumph at C.W. Post, their first in seven tries. Their three running backs, Chris Peaks, Lindsey Gamble and Jerell Smith, are healthy and productive.

Stonehill, which beat Post, 12-7, this season, rolled over Saint Anselm last week, 56-7. Jeff Payne rushed for 152 yards and three touchdowns and Eddie Vachon for 142 yards and two TDs. Quarterback Cruz Parsons passed for 187 yards and two touchdowns.

"I think talent-wise it's an even match. I think it's going to be a really interesting game," said Fine.