Andrew Holfinger has been a quarterback’s worst nightmare this season.
Endicott’s fifth-year senior linebacker has been a sack machine. In fact, he has five in four games for the Gulls.
Not bad.
Holfinger (6-2, 210) earned NEFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, following a two-sack performance in Endicott’s 28-6 win over Curry last weekend. To go along with his two sacks, he finished the game with nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, two hurries, a pair of pass breakups and a blocked an extra point.
He’s already surpassed his career-high of 3.5 sacks and the season hasn’t even hit the midway point yet.
Holfinger displays a good blend of speed and strength when he’s on the field. He was a NEFC first-team selection last season. He’s playing even better this year, boasting a knack for taking down the quarterback and really taking advantage of his fifth year.
In the Gulls’ season-opener against Framingham State, a matchup of two defending conference champions, Holfinger came up with a critical sack to end a drive late in the first half. Framingham State went on to win the game 20-17. Things didn’t get any easier, as Endicott followed with BR-33 Hobart. Hobart cruised to a 28-18 victory. Holfinger’s defensive play was the silver lining for Endicott, as he sacked quarterback Pat Conlan in the end zone for a safety.
Holfinger continued the trend in week three. This time he did it while helping lead his team to their first victory. He set the tone early with a sack in the first quarter and finished with a total of six tackles.
Then came his best performance yet of the young season, highlighting a strong defensive effort for Endicott in the victory over Curry.
The defending NEFC champions had to fill some key pieces on the defensive side heading into the season. Holfinger’s leadership, and of course his talent, has been huge for the Gulls so far.
Endicott holds the BR-115 spot and a Heat Score of 71 heading into this week. The Gulls take on Maine Maritime on the road on Saturday.
And if Endicott is in need of a big stop on the defensive side, the Gulls certainly have a playmaker they can count on for that. Holfinger will look to continue his sack streak and cause fits for the Maine Maritime offense this weekend.
