OCTOBER 25, 2008
KING'S FOOTBALL FALLS TO LVC, 34-7 ON HOMECOMING
WILKES-BARRE – Visiting Lebanon Valley College opened up a 20-0 halftime lead and the Flying Dutchmen defense yielded just 51 rushing yards en route to a 34-7 victory over host King's College Saturday on Homecoming Day in Wilkes-Barre.
The defeat spoiled a festive pre-game dedication ceremony as King's new multi-purpose turf field was officially named McCarthy Stadium.
With the win Lebanon Valley improved to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Middle Atlantic Conference. King's fell to 1-6 and 0-3 in MAC play with its fifth straight loss on the year.
With the game being played in a steady rain and strong wind Lebanon Valley won the all-important rushing battle, amassing 229 of its 313 total yards on the ground
The Dutchmen would push across the first score on a nine-play, 49-yard drive, capped by a six yard run by quarterback Caleb Fick. Brittany Ryan would miss the point-after as Lebanon Valley took a 6-0 lead with 1:19 left in the first quarter.
After a short King's punt gave Lebanon Valley possession at the Monarch 40, the Dutchmen struck again when Cruz Mannherz found the end zone on a 14-yard scamper. Ryan added the extra-point kick as the Dutchmen took a 13-0 lead with 12:21 left in the second quarter.
The Dutchmen would force another King's punt and came through with a big special teams play when Andrew Shambach delivered a 46-yard return to the Monarch 20. Five plays later Fick found Joe Brennan in the end zone for the third Dutchmen score of the half. Ryan's extra-point kick with 8:36 remaining in the second stanza enabled Lebanon Valley to take a 20-0 lead into the halftime break.
King's would finally break through while forcing a Dutchmen punt. A short snap from center bounced in front of Lebanon Valley punter Colt Zarilla who was unable to get the kick off and was tackled at the Dutchmen 27. Four plays later Olayinka Soda found Bob Lane for a nine-yard touchdown pass. Andrew DeRito made good on the point after as the Monarchs closed to within 20-7 with 1:34 remaining in the third quarter.
Lebanon Valley would immediately answer, however, when the Dutchmen went on a 13-play, 60 yard drive, capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Blair Ransom. Ryan's extra-point kick was good as the Dutchmen pushed the lead back to 27-7 with 11:19 left in the fourth quarter.
On King's next possession Soda was picked off by Shambach as Lebanon Valley took over at its own 35. A 19-yard run by Bryan Lynch was followed by a 35-yard scamper by Ben Guiles, giving the Dutchmen a first down at the Monarch 21. Four plays later Ransom scored his second touchdown of the game from eight yards out. Ryan added the final point of the day on the conversion as Lebanon Valley took a 34-7 lead with 7:42 left in the contest.
The weather had a significant impact on the passing game as Fick completed 9-of-17 passes for just 84 yards for Lebanon Valley, but added 43 rushing yards on seven attempts. King's quarterback Soda was just 8-of-21 for 71 yards with four interceptions.
Guiles posted a team-high 87 rushing yards on 21 carries while Mannherz added 39 yards on seven attempts. Ransom chipped in with 31 yards on eight carries with two scores. Matt Donley led the receivers with three catches for 35 yards.
Philip Shaw, who played only the final series of the game, led King's rushers with 35 yards on five carries while Richard Maerten had two yards on nine attempts. Lane made two catches for 15 yards while Doug Mucha added two receptions for 14 yards.
Mat Rhodes led the King's defense with 16 tackles while Bob Cirko and Shane McNamara added 11 each.
King's will return to action on Saturday when the Monarchs travel to face cross town rival Wilkes in the annual Mayor's Cup Game at 1:0 p.m. at Ralston Field.
