Jake Lehowsky MVP
Bob Ziadie
Jake Lehnowsky was named King's game MVP as the Monarchs fell to Wilkes 13-6 in a snow-filled Mayor's Cup Game. Flanking Lehnowsky is King's president Reverend John Ryan (L) and head coach Jeff Knarr

King's Falls to Wilkes 13-6 in First-Ever Snow-Filled Mayor's Cup Game

10/29/2011 6:25:00 PM

OCTOBER 30, 2011
KING'S FOOTBALL FALLS TO WILKES 13-6 IN 16TH ANNUAL MAYOR'S CUP GAME IN FIRST MATCHUP EVER IN SNOW STORM

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WILKES-BARRE -- In the previous 15 years King's College and Wilkes University have played for the Mayor's Cup, the teams have played in torrential downpours, extreme wind, and surprisingly gorgeous late-season weather. ON Saturday, the teams experienced a first in the rivalry as the squads not only had to deal with one another, each had to battle a snow storm as an extremely rare October Nor'easter passed directly through Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Playing in a storm that started in pre-game and continued non-stop through the end of the contest, depositing 5.5 inches at game's end, Wilkes managed to walk away with a 13-6 triumph and keep the Mayor's Cup on the south side of River Street.

It marked the first time the Monarchs played a game in the snow since 1997 when five inches of snow fell on McCarthy Stadium the night before King's game against New Jersey City University. The Monarchs eventually won that game 7-6.

The Wilkes defense played a huge role early in the game as the Monarchs took possession following the game's opening kickoff at midfield. With King's running a fourth-and-two play from the Colonel 42, King's freshman quarterback Bryant Klein, making his first collegiate start, was stripped of the ball and recovered by Wilkes James Moore to thwart the scoring chance.

The Colonels wasted little time on its first possession when Zach Tivald took a third-and-two handoff and raced 52 yards for a touchdown to out the Colonels on top. King's Ryan Cordingly blocked the extra-point kick as Wilkes took a 6-0 lead with 11:26 remaining in the first quarter.

King's used a 21-yard return following a short Wilkes kickoff to again start its next drive in good field possession, beginning at the Monarch 47. King's drove to the Colonel 35. But on a fourth-and-three play, King's Eric Ofcharsky was stopped just shy of a first down, turning possession over to Wilkes.

The Colonels drove to the King's 42 before the drive stalled, bringing out the punt team. King's Tommy Armellino blocked the punt and Andrew Yablonsky recovered the ball, returning it to the Wilkes 31.

The Monarchs drove to the Wilkes 14 before the Colonel defense stiffened. Facing a fourth-and-one play, Klein attempted a pass to Chris Green but Wilkes cornerback Joe Chrismer batted the ball away as the Colonels took over on downs.

Three possessions later Wilkes took over at its own 31 and once again found the end zone. A 15-yard pass from Alex George to Ryan Behrman and a 27-yard run by Auxence Wogu gave the Colonels a first down at the King's 25. On the next play, George broke free on an option keeper and raced untouched into the end zone. Geoff Arnetz added the point-after to put Wilkes on top 13-0 3:56 left in the second quarter, a led the Colonels would take into the halftime break.

After the King's grounds crew plowed the snow-covered field during the half, the start of the third quarter was delayed. After six possessions in the third quarter, neither team was able to mount a serious scoring threat.

Late in the third quarter, however, King's took over at its own 49 following a short Colonel punt and began to its best drive of the game.
A five-yard run by Kyle McGrath and a 14-yard keeper by Klein moved the ball to the Wilkes 32. Two plays later Klein found fullback Jordan haddock for a 11-yard completion and McGrath later added a bruising 16-yard carry to the Wilkes one-yard line. On the next play Klein scored on a quarterback sneak to get the Monarchs on the board with 13:15 left in the third quarter. But Mike Lloyd had difficulty with the slick footing and pulled the extra-point kick wide left as King's trailed 13-6.

On its next possession when the Colonels were unable to drive and sent out the punt team. But King's made a costly error attempting to block the kick when the Monarchs were signaled for roughing the passer, giving Wilkes a first-down and keeping the drive alive. Equally as important, Wilkes was able to eat time off the clock. The Colonels would maintain possession, methodically reaching the Monarch 17 before facing a fourth-and-eight play. From there King's Jake Lehnowsky and Lavell Porter teamed to sack George at the Monarch 25 as King's took over on downs. Wilkes, however, managed to chew 8:13 off the clock as King's assumed possession with 4:52 left in the contest.

The Monarchs used a 10-yard run by Klein and a 15-yard pass to Haddock for a first-down at the Wilkes 49. An eight-yard run by McGrath was followed by a six-yard sack. On a thrid-and-eight from the Colonel 47, Klein found McGrath for a 17-yard screen pass to the Wilkes 30. Two plays later, with just 0:49 left in the game, Klein dropped back to pass and sighted Jay Torres. Wilkes' defense again came up with yet another bug play when Christmer stepped in front of the throw at the Colonel five-yard line and secured the game-ending interception with 0:37 on the clock.

Statistically, Wilkes held a 349-to-179 advantage in tolal yards. The Colonels managed 258 rushing yards and 91 passing yards. King's had 128 rushing yards and 51 yards through the air.

Tivald led the Colonels with 128 rushing yards on 18 carries while George added 85 yards on the ground while completing 7-of-17 passes for 91 yards. For King's, McGrath rushed for 51 yards on 11 carries and added one catch for 17 yards. Klein completed 5-of-11 passes for 51 yards and an interception while rushing for 31 yards on 17 attempts in his first career start. Haddock added 20 yards on five carries and caught two passes for 26 yards.

Wilkes defensive end Rob Houseknecht was named Wilkes' game most valuable player, making 12 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and a half-sack. For King's, Lehnowsky was named King's game MVP, making six tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss and a half-sack.

King's will return to the field on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. when the Monarchs host FDU-Florham in King's final home game of he season
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