Sophomore Mark Piccirillo connected with Kyle Drost on an 11-yard touchdown pass and then Piccirillo hit Will Karcher with the successful 2-point conversion pass with 5:34 left in the fourth quarter as host Shelton hung on in this SCC Division I West contest Saturday at Finn Stadium.

Piccirillo completed 16-of-25 passes for 218 yards. He threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Ed Kochiss and also scored on a 9-yard run. Piccirillo rushed 14 times for 60 yards.

Jason Thompson (12 carries, 52 yards) scored on a 1-yard run and Ed Groth kicked field goals of 34 and 41 yards for the Gaels (2-1).

David Attolino rushed 22 times for 135 yards and three scores for the Spartans (1-2).

AMITY

Coach: Bert Mozealous (3rd year, 8-12)

League: SCC

Last season: 4-6

Top offensive players: James Semmonella, 6-0, 195, Sr., QB; David Attolino, 5-10, 185, Sr., RB

Top defensive players: Greg Purcell, 6-0, 260, Sr., DL; Mike Vitale, 6-4, 275, Sr., DL

Key losses: Tyler Vallie QB, Cody Ellison WR/DB, Subhe Salah, OL

Inside the huddle: Mozealous says this year’s team will go as far the experienced line takes them. The Spartans have decent size up front, led by Purcell, Vitale and Toro. Another key will be the play of Semmonella, who moves from running back to quarterback. Semmonella replaces Tyler Vallie, who graduated. Vallie passed for 1,206 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and rushed for 918 yards and 13 scores. There are six starters returning on each side of the ball. Mozealous believes Amity should be very competitive this season.

Stat Facts: Semmonella rushed 63 times for 434 yards and four touchdowns last season and caught 22 passes and two more touchdowns.