WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 8, 2024) -- Coming off a thrilling 14-6 defeat of Delaware Valley last Saturday in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play, the King's College football team now sets its sights on their weekend trip to Reading, Pa. to take on the Albright Colege Lions. The Monarchs clinched the MAC's NCAA automatic qualifying bid with their win last week, securing their seventh straight, and look to lock up sole possession of the 2024 MAC title on Saturday. In their last time out, the Lions won their second game of the season and first in conference play, 22-19, over Alvernia in overtime, scoring a touchdown on their possession in the extra period in Reading.

Event Details:
Opponent: at Albright (2-6, 1-6 MAC)
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Reading, PA - Gene L. Shirk Stadium (Directions)
Tickets: $5 for General Admission, $3 for Seniors, Free for children under age-six and Albright students showing I.D.
Live Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)

Things to Know:
King's vs. Albright Game Notes
Tailgating 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. Isaac Collins is in his third season with the Lions with a brand new staff in 2024. With 25 years of coaching experience, Collins looks to finish this season strong with Albright. In his time with the Lions, he has coached three All-MAC honorees.

Looking at Albright: The Lions look to end the regular season on a win streak coming off their thrilling overtime victory with Reading-rival Alvernia last Saturday. This weekend also marks Senior Day and the final home game of the season for Albright. As a team, the Lions score 9.88 points per game on 255.3 yards of offense while giving up 26.38 points on 352.9 yards per contest. Albright faces a 158.9-47.6 deficit in the run game but post a 207.6-194 edge in the pass game. The team also struggles to convert, pulling together just 31.07% on third down, 30% on fourth down, and settling for 11-of-20 in the red zone, including 6-for-20 on touchdowns. John Boston leads the run game with 45.6 yards per contest with a pair of scores, while Alden Stickler is the team's leading receiver at 53.6 yards per game with four touchdowns. Chase Roberts commands the offense with 178.6 passing yards per game, completing 60.3% of his passes, with five touchdowns. On defense, Samuel Moratori leads the way with 82 total tackles, including 54 solo, with three pass break ups, and a forced fumble, while Jamal Charles leads the team with 4.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss with a pair of fumble recoveries. Additionally, Taylor Heflin has broken up five passes and recorded an interception.

Travel Gear: The Monarchs will wear their road whites on Saturday in Albright with their gold pants for just the second time in this combination this season. As always, King's will dawn its 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. 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 final road trip of the regular season, the offense will send out Jake Feese and RJ Dugue, while the defense will be represented by Jake Ruppert and Joachim McElroy at the coin toss.

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. Albright was slated to finish 10th in the poll.
• King's secured the MAC's NCAA automatic bid with last weekend's win, marking the Monarchs' first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2002. They also earned at least a share of the MAC title and need just one more win this season to earn the title out right.
• The offense continues to shine despite a slight hiccup last weekend, leading the MAC in rushing offense (231.0 yards per game) behind Brennan Robinson's MAC-best 101.4 yards per contest, while Russell Minor-Shaw ranks eighth (72.1 yards per game), and Jayon Hailey is ninth (55.9 yards per game). The team also leads the conference in passing offensive efficiency as Minor-Shaw ranks fourth in passing at 167.6 yards per game with a conference-best 20 passing touchdowns.
• Additionally, Mike DiGregorio ranks ninth among conference receivers with 48.1 yards per game, while the team is second in scoring offense (31.4 points per game), total offense (398.6 yards per game), 3rd-down conversions (47.2%), and red-zone touchdowns (25).
• The defense remains steady this time of year, ranking second in red zone defense and third in both scoring defense (21.1 points per game) and defensive passing efficiency (123.3%).
• Jake Ruppert leads the team and ranks fourth in the conference with 76 total tackles, while Jared Reto is fifth with 72. Osman Kamara continues to be a force up front, ranking third in sacks with 7.5 and fourth in tackles for loss with 9.0.
• The secondary continues to deliver as the unit is tied for second in the MAC in interceptions with 10. Their efforts are led by Amir Gibson and Zach Barber who lead the conference with 14 passes defended, with Gibson having the most break ups (11) and Barber having the edge in interceptions (4). Ahmad Griffin has also climbed the ranks and is tied for seventh with seven passes defended.
• On special teams, the Monarchs rank second in both net kick offs (37.4) and net punting (37.4), while they are just one of two teams to remain perfect on PATs but have the most as they have gone 35-for-35.

Up Next: King's will conclude the 2024 regular season next Saturday, November 16 as they host Stevenson and celebrate senior day. Kick off is scheduled for noon at McCarthy Stadium.