WILKES-BARRE, PA (August 31, 2023) -- The highly anticipated return of the King's College football team is just two sleeps away as the Monarchs open their 2023 campaign on the road on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. against cross-town rival Wilkes University in the 27th annual Mayor's Cup. The game, played at Schmidt Stadium, will open both team's season as a non-conference match up in week one of the 2023 regular season.

Event Details:
Opponent: at Wilkes University (0-0, 0-0 Landmark)
Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Edwardsville, PA - Schmidt Stadium (Directions)
Tickets: Adults - $5, Seniors & Non-Wilkes' Students - $2, Students & Children 6 and under - Free
Live Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)

Things to Know:
King's vs. Wilkes Game Notes
Spectator Policy with Pet Policy and 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. Jonathan Drach opens his sixth season, fifth active, with the Colonels, posting a 27-14 overall record. In 2022, Drach's program posted 10 All-MAC selections which was the most the program saw since the 2006 season, including Elijah Jules earning MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Looking at Wilkes: Wilkes will face a new conference schedule in 2023 as they departed the MAC for the Landmark ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, but not much else changed for this Colonels team since last year's Mayor's Cup contest. The Wilkes offense that averaged 29.7 points per game behind 3,706 yards of total offense will be led by quarterback Isaiah Rodriguez who was strong through his first six games, going 85-for-146 with zero interceptions and 11 touchdowns for 1,390 yards. He will be joined in the backfield by reigning MAC Offensive Player of the Year Elijah Jules who rushed for 1,004 net yards and 13 touchdowns on 160 carries at an average of 100.4 yards per contest. The Colonels receivers were a balanced group in 2022 and return three of their top four producers that totaled 300 yards or more on the year. Wilkes' defensive unit featured seven players that recorded 40 or more tackles in 2022 and will return five of those, led by Brandon Holcomb with 87.0 total tackles and Angel Ramos with 10.0 sacks and 15.0 tackles for loss.

First Threads: King's will step onto the turf at Schmidt Stadium on Saturday afternoon wearing their new road white jerseys with white pants. The Monarchs will don their traditional gold helmets with a tribute to the throwback look to be seen on Saturday.

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: For the first coin toss in 2023, King's will send out four players on Saturday. The offense will be represented by Tyler Carey and Nate McGlone, while Jassiem Lettsome and Dallas Solomon will represent the defense.

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 20 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 four are King's graduates or so-to-be graduates. (Ben Bakanas, Brandon Cohen, Tommy Gilmore, Enzo Poulson).
• King's was picked to finish third in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll among the 10 conference schools. Wilkes was slated second in their first ever Landmakr Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Up Next: King's will continue their two-week road stretch to start the season, making the short trip up the mountain to Dallas, Pa. as they face Misericordia University. Kick off is set for 12:00 p.m.