Bolzano Giants down Ancona Dolphins, stay in hunt

The Bolzano Giants took care of business last weekend in downing the Ancona Dolphins in Ancona 32-13 and staying in the hunt for second spot in the Italian Football League’s Division I.

Quarterback Dustin Hawke Willingham threw four touchdown passes, two to Marco Bonacci and two to Mark Simone while Andrea Ghislandi scored the final touchdown.

The Giants found themselves trailing at the end of the first half 13-12 after jumping out to a 12-0 first-quarter lead on Bonacci’s two touchdown. Ancona came roaring back in the second quarter as first Soltana scored and then a Bolzano fumble led to another Dolphins touchdown.

But the Giants then scored 20 unanswered second half points as the defense stepped up their game. First Paolo Visani picked off Ancona quarterback Ryan Kasdorf and two plays later Simone found the endzone on a pass from Hawke Willingham restoring the lead for the Giants, 18-13. Kasdorf’s frustration was apparent after that as he threw two more interceptions leading to touchdowns by Simone and Andrea Ghislandi. Gabriele Ghirotti added a two-point conversion and the Giants won going away.

With the win, Bolzano holds on to a share of second place, tied with the Parma Panthers, each team with 6-1 records. The Giants have the edge with a better points differential but the two teams face each other this weekend in a game that promises to be a showdown.

Photos: Valentina