DOYLESTOWN, PA (October 12, 2019) -- The King's College football team went toe-to-toe with the two-time Middle Atlantic Conference champions Saturday in No. 13 Delaware Valley University, but an early third quarter spurt pushed the hosting Aggies past King's 28-13 in conference play from James Work Memorial Stadium on DVU's Homecoming Saturday at Lipinski Field. 

Things started off slowly for the Monarchs (3-2, 1-2 MAC) as their first drive was ended on an interception, and DelVal marched 38 yards to cash in a touchdown as Dan Allen hauled in a three-yard reception from Anthony Fontana. 

The ensuing drive for the Monarchs would be their best of the afternoon, as King's went 75 yards over 9:34 of the first quarter before Gabe Boccella caught his fourth touchdown reception of the season from Tyler Moore from 17-yards out. It was a drive that saw two third down conversions along with drawing DVU offsides on 4-and-3 from the DelVal 22 to keep the drive going. 

On the following kickoff, Jamir Prevard would fumble the ball at the 19-yard line and King's junior Salvatore Mistretta scooped up the loose ball before being dragged down at the DelVal 8. Unfortunately for the Monarchs, the drive would net no points as a 25-yard field goal was missed wide left. 

King's and Delaware Valley would exchange punts before the Aggies got the ball back at their own 49-yard line. Four plays player, King's would stand tough at its own 42-yard line, as Mario Nigro was stopped for a loss of a yard on 4-and-1 to stop the DelVal march. 

The Aggies would get back on the board just before halftime though, taking advantage of great starting field position, driving 41 yards of the final 1:26 of the half as Fontana hit Aaron Nelson from a yard out to send the game to halftime with DelVal up 14-7. 

After the intermission, Delaware Valley took the opening kickoff of the third quarter and went 47 yards over 4:31 before Donte Simmons scored from eight yards out to make the score 21-7. On the drive, DelVal converted a pair of fourth downs to keep the march going. 

The Monarchs would commit their second turnover of the game on the next drive, as Moore was picked off by Blaine Netterman picked off his second pass of the game. That interception turned into a Mario Nigro 1-yard touchdown score with 5:02 to go in the third quarter to make the score 28-7 in favor of the home team. 

After that though, King's defense would tighten and King's pulled to within two scores with 12:04 to go as Brandon Cohen caught his second touchdown in as many weeks. This time, Cohen posted a two-yard scoring reception to complete a 72-yard drive that benefited by 42 yards of Aggie penalties. 

King's would force another punt on the next drive, but the Monarchs were pinned deep at their own 5-yard line when they got the ball back. After kicking the ball back to DVU, King's would again get off the field on fourth down, and this time nearly had a pick-6 on 4th-and-2, but Jaret Horn couldn't quite haul in the halfback pass. 

The Monarchs wouldn't be able to get anything going offensively though with the ball, as Delaware Valley held on for the victory. The Monarchs were outgained on the afternoon 293-196, while rushing for only six yards on the day. 

Moore finished 21-for-40 for 190 yards and two touchdowns, while Jordan Downes posted 39 yards on 11 carries but also collected seven catches for 71 yards. Freshman Joe Herman posted four grabs for 38 yards and Brandon Cohen also finished with three catches for 10 yards and a score. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Charles McCall finished with a team-high 10 tackles (eight solo), including two for loss. Junior Elijah Demosthene posted seven solo tackles and freshman Joe Carchio chalked up five tackles. Mando Sallavanti finished with three solo and three assisted stops, and Horn had five tackles as well. 

Delaware Valley got 64 yards on the ground from Simmons, while Fontana was 21-of-27 for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Kenyonn Jones had six tackles and a sack on defense for the Aggies (5-1, 4-0 MAC)

King's will host Alvernia University in McCarthy Stadium Saturday, October 19 in more MAC play from Wilkes-Barre, PA. Delaware Valley will also be in Wilkes-Barre, taking on Wilkes University in conference action.