WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 17, 2024) -- In their return to McCarthy Stadium, the King's College football team aims to continue its winning ways against Lebanon Valley College in their Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) match up on Saturday afternoon. The Monarchs last defeated Eastern, 35-23, as Russell Minor-Shaw scored a 62-yard rushing touchdown with just over a minute to go, and Zach Barber intercepted a pass to shut down the Eagles' final drive on the road. The Flying Dutchmen look to snap a two-game skid as they fell, 21-16, to Delaware Valley on Homecoming Weekend in Annville last Saturday.

Event Details:
Opponent: vs. Lebanon Valley (2-3, 2-2 MAC)
Date: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA - McCarthy Stadium (Directions)
Tickets: $5 for Adults, $2 for Seniors, $2 for Non-King's Students showing I.D. Free for children age-six and King's showing I.D.
Live Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)

Things to Know:
King's vs. Lebanon Valley Game Notes
King's vs. Lebanon Valley Flip Card
Tailgating Policy
Pet Policy
Spectator Policy

The Coaches: Mike Cebrosky spent the previous 13 seasons with the Monarchs, including the last nine as the Defensive Coordinator and last season as Associate Head Coach. He helped build the King's defense into one of the top units in the MAC, finishing in the top three in total defense in 2018, 2019, and 2023, as well as top-ranking marks in third-down percentage, points allowed per game, turnovers per game, and total yardage per game. The defensive efforts made their mark on a national scale as well this past season, as the defense ranked fourth in NCAA Division III in the regular season in passing yards allowed per game and seventh in total defense. Individually, Cebrosky's defense saw two individuals earn All-American status as Teone Sherrod (2022) and Joe Carchio (2023) became the program's first All-Americans since the 2006 campaign. J.R. Drake is in his second season as Head Coach for the Dutchmen after recording the program's first winning season in 10 years with the 2023 campaign as well as an appearance in the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series. The team also saw 12 earn All-MAC honors and one All-Region honoree. Prior to his elevation, Drake served as Defensive Coordinator since 2018 at the start of his second stint in Annville.

Looking at Lebanon Valley: The Dutchmen look to bounce back in this MAC match up this weekend. After leading Delaware Valley 16-14 at the break, the Aggies scored in the third and held on to finish off the upset over Lebanon Valley on their Homecoming Weekend. As a team, Lebanon Valley is averaging 25.8 points per contest while giving up 26, and they are being edged out 355.4-336.8 in total offense per game. The Dutchmen have struggled on third down, converting just 38.8% (26-67) of the time, but have been efficient on both fourth down (11-for-14) and in the red zone (15-18). The team also leads the MAC in interceptions (9), kickoffs, and kickoff returns. Braden Bohannon is the heart of their offense, leading the team in rushing at 90.8 yards per game with three touchdowns and passing with 145.8 yards per game and five touchdowns. Deshawn Wilson leads the receivers with 46.2 yards per game on 22 catches, while Alex Vassallo adds 37.6 yards per contest. Defensively, Brody Robinson has posted 27 tackles, while Jake Marcus has recorded 4.0 tackles for a loss of 13 yards with three quarterback hurries. Evan Kutzler leads the team with three interceptions to aid an effort that leads the MAC with nine total team interceptions. Additionally, Tim Kissinger is 6-for-8 on field goals, including two over 50 yards with a conference-long 56 yard make from week one.

Home Threads: On Saturday afternoon, King's will bring back out their red jersey and gold pant combination with their usual staple of gold helmets.

Single Digit Tough: The Monarchs award single digits based on merit, leadership and are retained throughout their time at King's. The 2024 roster returned one single-digit member from last year in senior wide receiver Tyler Carey, while adding four more ahead of this season. This week, King's added one additional Single Digit Tough member in senior running back Brenann Robinson. The Monarchs now have 10 Single Digit Tough players: Sean Lavine (0), Jake Ruppert (1), EJ Schreiner (2), Mike DiGregorio (3), Tyler Carey (3), Amir Gibson (4), Jared Reto (5), Brennan Robinson (6), Ryan McCombs (7), Liam Carroll (55), and Kenny Monaco (66).

Captains This Weekend: For their lone home game in the month of October, King's will send out four captains for the coin toss. Representing the offense will be Brennan Robinson and Russell Minor-Shaw, and representing the defense will be Jared Reto and Zach Barber.

A Look at the Monarchs:

• The Monarchs have no shortage of veteran talent on this year's squad, with just over 30 student-athletes listed as a senior on the roster. This week's two-deep features 24 seniors listed, while the offense returns all but one starter from 2023.
• King's enters the season with a total of 13 coaches on staff, and of that group five are King's graduates or soon-to-be graduates. (Ben Bakanas, Tommy Gilmore, Will Cameron, Mike Karycinski, Brendan Mozeleski).
• King's was picked to finish second in the MAC Preseason Coaches' Poll among the 10 conference schools. Lebanon Valley was slated to finish fifth in the poll.
• Brennan Robinson, newly appointed Single Digit Tough member, leads the MAC in rushing yards at 119.6 per game and is second in all-purpose yards (127.2 yards per game) to help lead a team effort that leads the conference in total offense (442.4 yards per game) and in rushing offense (272.2 yards per game).
• The Monarchs are second in scoring offense (33.4 points per game), first downs (20.4 per game), third in passing offensive efficiency (169%) and third down conversions (47.2%), and are tied for first in red zone offense with 19 touchdowns so far this season.
• Russell Minor-Shaw continues to anchor the offense as he is second in the MAC in total offense (254.0 yards per game), fourth in passing yards per game (170.2), and fifth in rushing yards (90.8 yards per game), while Jayon Hailey ranks ninth in rushing  yards (62.2 yards per game). Additionally, Mike DiGregorio ranks sixth among MAC receivers with 59.0 yards per game, and EJ Schreiner ranks 11th (42.8 yards per game).
• On defense, the Monarchs are tied for second with forced fumbles (4) as Mike Richino is tied for the lead with two. King's also ranks third in rushing defense (112.8 yards per game) and opponent third-down conversions (31.5%), and fourth in total defense (303.0 yards per game), sacks by (63), and opponent first downs (15.4 per game).
• Jared Reto leads the defense with 42 tackles which ranks fifth in the MAC, while Jake Ruppert is sixth in the conference with 37. The defensive line is led by Osman Kamara who ranks sixth in the MAC in sacks with 3.5, while Sean Lavine is ninth with 3.0. The secondary is led by MAC Defensive Player of the Week Zach Barber who leads the conference with three interceptions and ranks second with nine passes defended, while Amir Gibson is third with seven passes defended.
• On special teams, King's is second in net kickoff average (36.8) and third in net punting average (36.6), kickoff returns (20.6 yards per return), and punt returns (7.1 yards per return).

Up Next: King's is back on the road next Saturday as they travel to top-ranked FDU-Florham for a noon kickoff for the important MAC contest in Madison, N.J.