BETHLEHAM, PA (September 1, 2018) – The 2018 King's College football season got underway on Saturday afternoon at Moravian College, but struggled to finish drives offensively in a 24-0 loss to the Greyhounds in non-conference action from Rocco Calvo Field.

The young and talented Monarch team moved the ball early and often, taking the opening kick-off and picking up four first-downs on the first drive, including three conversions on third down. With the ball on the King's 43, sophomore Gabe Boccella dropped back and competed a 42-yard deep ball to sophomore Tim Constantino to put the ball in the red zone.

The drive would stall after two rushes by senior Jordan Downes and an incomplete pass, and the subsequent 34-yard field goal attempt by freshman Jack Barreras fell just short. The Hounds (1-0) took over at their own 20-yard line and marched 80 yards on eight plays, capped by a 22-yard touchdown catch by Nick Petros from Doug Erney for the early 7-0 lead.

After both teams were forced to punt on their ensuing drives, King's took over at its own 21-yard line and started a 12-play, 52-yard drive that moved all the way down to the 27-yard line of the Greyhounds. During the drive, the Monarch nearly hit a huge play for a score, but a pass by Boccella to Constantino sailed just over his outstretched arms. The King's drive would come to a stop at the 27-yard line after a incomplete pass to D'Andre Harvey.

The Hounds took advantage of the stop, needing just 3:59 to take the ball 73 yards over eight plays, scoring on a seven-yard carry by Roberto Diez to make the score 14-0. Following a KC turnover, Moravian pushed down to the three-yard line, but the defensive unit for the Monarchs forced a fumble as Erney dove towards the goal line on 3^rd-and-2. Sophomore Mando Sallavanti forced the loose ball, which rolled into the end zone and was recovered by Jaret Horn.

That's where the score would stand after the first two quarters, as a Jon Miller field goal attempt for Moravian missed wide left at the intermission horn. After the break, MC used a 7-play, 71-yard surge to take a 21-0 advantage, as Erney connected with Eddie Olsen in the back-right of the end-zone on a 23-yard completion.

On the next drive, King's once again strung together a long, effective drive consisting of 17 plays which traveled 82 yards. KC took the ball at the 14-yard line and picked up six first-downs, highlighted by a pair of rushes from sophomore quarterback Tommy Klock of 15 and 11 yards. The drive was also extended on a 4^th-and-9, as Klock hit Devin Ringler for 14 yards.

King's pushed the ball all the way down to the seven-yard line after a roughing-the-passer penalty, but on fourth down and goal, Klock was hit at the Moravian four-yard line as he rushed for the goal line. Moravian tacked on a field goal on its ensuing drive, making the score 24-0. That's where the score would stand, as the Greyhounds posted their first home shutout since 2001.

King's posted 252 yards of total offense Saturday, gaining 103 yards on the ground and 149 through the air. Starter Gabe Boccella was 9-for-16 with an interception and 30 yards rushing, while Klock came in to go 5-for-10 for 52 yards passing while tallying a team-best 39 rushing yards. Downes tallied 29 yards on 17 carries for Kings, while Brandon Cohen led the team with four receptions for 39 yards. CJ Curry posted two receptions for 22 yards, and Constantino finished with two catches on a team-high 47 yards.

Defensively, Charles McCall had a strong game with 15 total tackles, adding seven solo stops, while Sallavanti chalked up 10 tackles, along with one tackle for loss. Junior Mikal Butler finished with seven tackles, while freshman Dhedhus Anumgba added five tackles.  

Erney was 15-for-23 for 190 yards and two touchdowns and 83 yards on the ground, while Petros finished with five receptions for 68 yards and a score for the Greyhounds. Eli Redmond rushed for 96 yards, and Diez also tacked on 91 yards on 14 carries.

The Monarchs are off for their bye week next weekend, but host Hartwick College (1-0) September 15 in McCarthy Stadium for the 2018 home opener.