WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 12, 2023) -- Coming off a comeback win over FDU-Florham this past Saturday, the King's College football team faces an important Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) match up on the road at Lebanon Valley College this weekend. The Monarchs limited FDU-Florham to just 21 yards of total offense in the second half to help secure the 17-14 victory, while the Flying Dutchmen pulled out a double overtime win over Widener on the road thanks to a 20-yard field goal from Tim Kissinger.

Event Details:
Opponent: at Lebanon Valley (4-1, 4-0 MAC)
Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Annville, PA - Arnold Field (Directions)
Tickets: $5 for Adults, $3 for Seniors, $2 for non-LVC Students
Live Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)

Things to Know:
King's vs. Lebanon Valley Game Notes
Tailgating Policy



The Coaches: Skyler Fultz opens his first season as the head coach of the Monarchs with Saturday's contest. Fultz spent the last eight seasons in his second stint with King's, serving as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. During his time at King's, the Monarchs have turned into an offensive powerhouse, as his offensive units have produced All-MAC players at all positions while boasting record-setting units during each of his years as offensive coordinator. The 2023 campaign featured quarterback Tyler Moore's record-breaking season, setting four new career passing records and both touchdowns in a game and in a season records under the direction of Fultz. J.R. Drake is in his first season as acting head coach and has had a strong start at the helm of the Flying Dutchmen program. After dropping their opener to Franklin & Marshall, the Dutchmen have opened a four-game win streak including big MAC wins over Stevenson (45-38) and Widener (27-24, 2 OT). 

Looking at Lebanon Valley: The Dutchmen have found ways to win down the stretch, pulling off a big win at Stevenson and coming out on top last weekend at Widener. Lebanon Valley are averaging 32 points on 315 yards per game while holding teams to 17.6 points on 296 yards per contest.  Braden Bohannon is a do-it-all player, leading the run game with 257 yards at 51.40 yards per game with four touchdowns while also pacing the quarterback group with 621 yards at 124.20 yards per game with four touchdowns and 51 completions.  Alex Vassallo is the top receiver with 19 catches for 299 yards at 59.80 yards per game with two touchdowns. The defensive effort is led by Noah Caldani with 33.0 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss of 24 yards, 1.5 sacks for a loss of 13 yards, two quarterback hurries, an interception, a break up, and a fumble recovery. On special teams, Tim Kissinger has connected on 7-of-10, including 2-for-3 from 40-49 yards and 1-1 from 50.

Travel Gear: As the Monarchs travel out of Wilkes-Barre again, King's will wear their white jerseys on top of their white pants with the traditional gold helmets.

Single Digit Tough: The Monarchs award single digits based on merit, leadership and are retained throughout their time at King's. The 2023 roster returned two single-digit members from last year while adding four more ahead of this season. The Monarchs now have six Single Digit Tough players: Jassiem Lettsome (0), Joe Carchio (1), Teone Sherrod (2), Tyler Carey (3), Dallas Solomon (8), and Nate McGlone (73).

Captains This Weekend: King's will send out Dallas Solomon, Joe Carchio, Nate McGlone, and Jassiem Lettsome for the coin toss on Saturday.

A Look at the Monarchs:

• King's will look to replace three All-MAC players in Brandon Cohen (TE), Tyler Moore (QB), and Brendan Mozeleski (LB), but return the remaining five honorees in first teamer Teone Sherrod (CB), second team honorees Tyler Carey (WR/Returner), Dallas Solomon (DL), and Joe Carchio (DB), and honorable mention recipient Amir Gibson (DB)
• Teone Sherrod returns after a breakout campaign in 2022, earning AFCA Division III Coaches' All-America First Team, D3football.com All-America Second Team, and D3football.com All Region 1 First Team honors. Sherrod was also a Cliff Harris Award Finalist and earned a spot on the D3football.com Preseason All-America Third Team. He returns to help lead the Monarchs secondary that lead the MAC in interceptions.
• The Monarchs have no shortage of veteran talent on this year's squad, returning nine players that were listed as seniors in 2022. This week's two-deep features 18 seniors listed, while the defense returns all but three starters from 2022.
• King's enters the season with a total of 12 coaches on staff, and of that group five are King's graduates or soon-to-be graduates. (Ben Bakanas, Brandon Cohen, Tommy Gilmore, Brendan Mozeleski, Enzo Poulson).
• King's was picked to finish third in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll among the 10 conference schools. Lebanon Valley was slated to finish tied for fifth.
• The Monarchs defense remains at the top of the conference, ranking second as they are limiting teams to 15.0 points per game and first holding their opponents to 204.2 yards of total offense. Additionally, the passing defense ranks first in both defense (90.8 yards/game) and defensive efficiency (88.9 %).
• Joe Carchio is tied for fourth in the MAC with 42 total tackles at 8.4 per game, while Jared Reto ranks 23rd with 28. Both Carchio and Colin Hazelton are tied for fourth with 6.5 tackles for loss at 1.3 per game, while Reto and Dallas Solomon also fall in the top-35 of MAC players. Five different Monarchs rank in the top-35 of sack leaders, led by Solomon who is tied for seventh with 2.5. Teone Sherrod maintains his status as one of the top pass defenders in the MAC, currently tied for sixth with five passes defended, while Jake Ruppert and Carchio land in the top 35 as well.
• King's offense ranks third in total yards at 320.4 per game, while the passing offensive efficiency is second at 141.9 efficiency.
• Russell Minor-Shaw ranks 10th among MAC rushers at 46.6 yards per game with four touchdowns, while Brennan Robinson and Jayon Hailey are 16th and 17th, respectively. For the receivers, Mike DiGregorio is currently eighth at 48.0 yards per game, while Hailey and EJ Schreiner are 11th and 12th, respectively, and Tyler Carey ranks 19th.
• Conversions are a strong point for the Monarchs as their defense ranks first in both opponent first downs (11.0 per game) and third down conversions (24.6%) while ranking second in fourth down conversions (11.1%). On offense, King's ranks third in first downs (19.4 per game), third down conversions (35.8%), and fourth down conversions (56.3%).
• On special teams, the Monarchs are second in punt returns at 11.6 yards per return behind DiGregorio's conference leading 11.6 yards per return.

Up Next: King's will return home for their last home contest in October, hosting Eastern University at 12:00 p.m. on October 21 at McCarthy Stadium.