WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 19, 2024) -- The King's College football team looks to keep its spirits high with their week three match up on Saturday afternoon. The Monarchs enter their first road contest of the 2024 season after a dominant team effort, defeating Misericordia 41-14 at McCarthy Stadium in their Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) opener, while the Alvernia University Golden Wolves search for their first win of the season after falling on the road at MAC powerhouse Delaware Valley, 42-7, in week two.

Event Details:
Opponent: at Alvernia (0-2, 0-1 MAC)
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Reading, Pa. - Alvernia University Turf Field (Directions)
Tickets: Adults - $6, Seniors and Students $4, Children Under 12 - Free
Live Coverage: (Live Video)(Live Stats)

Things to Know:
King's vs. Alvernia Game Notes
Tailgating Policy
Alvernia Football Gameday Central

The Coaches: Mike Cebrosky is in his first season as the head coach of the Monarchs with Saturday's contest. 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. Steve Azzanesi begins his third season at the helm of the Golden Wolves program. He had a strong start in his first campaign, leading Alvernia to a 3-7 record before putting up a 1-9 record in 2023.

Looking at Alvernia: The Golden Wolves have had a tough start their 2024 season, taking on strong opponents in Ursinus in week one and most recently Delawrae Valley in week two. Alvernia looks to get in the win column in their home opener this weekend against the Monarchs. The team averages 10.50 points while giving up 43.50 and are averaging 199.5 yards per game compared to their opponents' 479.0. The Golden Wolves have struggled on third down, converting just 3-for-22 (13.6%) and have scored a touchdown on their lone trip to the red zone. Ozmere Jones paces the run game with 31 yards, while Colin Payne has thrown for 340 yards and three touchdowns, completing 32-of-53 (60.3%). Dachan Thompson has led the Alvernia receivers, totaling 129 yards and two scores on 13 catches, while Joe Fragale is averaging 35.0 yards per punt and 54.6 yards per kickoff. Defensively, Jamel Fleming leads the efforts with 17 total tackles, and Edmund Wisseh has recorded 2.0 tackles for a loss of 11 yards.

Travel Gear: The King's College Monarchs will wear their white jerseys for the first time this season on their first road trip and will complete the all-white outfit with their white pants. As always, King's will dawn their traditional gold helmets on Saturday at Alvernia.

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. Last Friday, the Monarchs also appointed five new Single Digit Tough members, including two offensive lineman who will begin a new tradition of wearing select numbers to represent their honor. The Monarchs now have nine 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), and Ryan McCombs (7), Liam Carroll (55), and Kenny Monaco (66).

Captains this Weekend: For their first road trip, the Monarchs will send out junior running back Jayon Hailey and senior running back Brennan Robinson to represent the offense, and graduate student Sean Lavine and senior Jake Ruppert for the defense.

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. Alvernia was slated to finish ninth in the poll.
• King's offense continued to dominate last week, leading the MAC in rushing offense (246.0 yards per game), first downs (23.5 per game), and red-zone offense with nine touchdowns, second in total offense (458.0 yards per game), third in scoring (34.5 points per game), passing offensive efficiency (182.5%), and third-down conversions (42.1%), fourth in passing offense (212.0 yards per game).
• The defensive effort last week got the Monarchs back on track, moving up to second in opponent fourth-down conversions (25.0%) and third in the MAC in opponent first downs (14.5 per game).
• On special teams, King's leads the MAC in kickoffs at an average of 26.3 yards per return, second in punt returns (9.0 yards per return).
• The backfield trio of Jayon Hailey, Brennan Robinson, and Russell Minor-Shaw rank third, fourth, and fifth in the MAC, respectively, in rushing yards per game, and Minor-Shaw remains at the top of the quarterback rankings in third with 212.0 passing yards per game. Additionally, EJ Schreiner and Mike DiGregorio enter week three ranked eighth and ninth, respectively, in receiving.
• Tony Brinson's explosive 57-yard return last week allowed the sophomore to jump to the top of the MAC in kickoff returns, ranking first with 26.7 yards per return, while Mike DiGregorio ranks second in punt returns at 9.0 yards per return.
• On defense, Zach Barber's three break ups and interception in the win over Misericordia put the safety tied for first in the MAC in passes defended.

Up Next: King's will return to McCarhty Stadium next Saturday, September 28th as they host Widener University on Homecoming and Family and Friends Weekend in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.