WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 16, 2025) -- The King's College football team returns home to McCarthy Stadium for a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) matchup against Alvernia University this Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The Monarchs look to build momentum on the heels of last Friday's thrilling come-from-behind road victory over previously-undefeated Stevenson University. Across the field, the Golden Wolves enter today's contest in search of their first win of the season after falling to Albright College at home, 38-14.
 
 
Event Details:
Opponent: Alvernia (0-5, 0-4 MAC)
Date: Saturday, September 18, 2025
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. - CASH ONLY
Live Coverage: (Live Video) // (Live Stats)
 
Things to Know:
King's vs. Alvernia Game Notes
Tailgating Policy
Pet Policy
Spectator Policy
 
The Coaches: Mike Cebrosky is in his second season as the head coach of the Monarchs. Cebrosky led the team through their historic 2024 season, featuring a 10-2 overall record, perfect 9-0 mark in the MAC, the first outright MAC title in program history, and berth to the NCAA Division III Football Championships. He was named MAC Coach of the Year while also coaching a program-best 20 All-MAC honorees, highlighted by two-time MAC Offensive Player of the Year Russell Minor-Shaw, six D3football.com All-Region players, and Zach Barber as a D3football.com All-American. Steve Azzanesi is in his fourth season as the head coach of Alvernia. Azzanesi joined the Golden Wolves in 2022 as just the second head coach in program history. He previously served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Division I Delaware State University. Azzanesi gained 18 years of experience as an assistant coach at Division II Wesley College, his alma mater. As an undergraduate, Azzanesi was a dual-sport standout, earning all-conference status as a quarterback and serving as the captain of the baseball team.
 
Looking at Alvernia: The Golden Wolves enter McCarthy Stadium in search of their first win of the season after falling to Albright, 38-14, last Saturday on Homecoming. Alvernia looks to improve on both sides of the ball, currently ranking at the bottom of the MAC in offensive production (13.6 points per game) and defense (35.8 points allowed per game). Pass protection will be a point of emphasis for the Golden Wolves, as the offensive line has allowed a conference-high 15 sacks through five games. The team has been efficient in the red zone, converting on 84.6 percent of its trips inside the 20-yard line – the same mark as King's. Look for some variety under center, as the Golden Wolves have four quarterbacks with 15-plus passing attempts on the season. Dante Viccharelli leads the Alvernia ground game with 173 yards on 37 carries. Meanwhile, Jayden Stanfield tops all receivers with 45.2 yards per game. Stanfield has also racked up 227 yards of kick returns, good for a share of third in the MAC. Turning to the defense, Alvernia's secondary has surrendered 829 passing yards for an average of 7.3 yards per pass. The linebacking corps is led by McCabe Piavis, who ranks fourth in the conference with 43 total tackles.
 
Home Threads: The Monarchs will debut a brand new "Blackout" look this afternoon, donning black jerseys and pants with red and gold trim along with their traditional gold helmets. These uniforms were made possible thanks to the generosity of Mark Leffler.
 
Single Digit Tough: Single Digit Tough: The Monarchs award single digits, and now double digits to offensive linemen, based on merit and leadership and are retained throughout their time at King's. The 2025 roster returned two single-digit members from 2024 in Tyler Carey and Brenann Robinson and have added five so far in 2025. The Monarchs now have seven Single Digit Tough players: Xander Murray (0), Jayon Hailey (1), Tyler Carey (3), Brennan Robinson (6), Michael Richino (8), James Mangine (9) and Kaleb Beers (55).
 
A Look at the Monarchs:

• The Monarchs are on a three-year stretch of post-game appearances and record-breaking numbers and look to continue the trend in 2025.
• King's looks to replace 16 All-MAC honorees from 2025 while returning First Team running back Brennan Robinson, Second Team running back Jayon Hailey and special teamer Jacob Mullery, and Honorable Mention offensive lineman Kaleb Beers. They'll also replace all six D3football.com All Region recipients and D3football.com All-American Zach Barber.
• The staff stands at 15 members, including six alumni in Ben Bakanas, Will Cameron, Mike Karycinski, Sean Lavine, Brendan Mozeleski, and EJ Schreiner.
• King's was tied for first in the MAC Preseason Poll with Delaware Valley among the 10 conference schools. Eastern tied for third with Stevenson and collected one first-place vote.
• The Monarchs' ability to establish their ground game could be the deciding factor in this week's showdown, as they've rushed for over 200 yards as a team in both of their wins this season. Leading the charge is Brennan Robinson, who paces the rushing attack with an impressive 7.2 yards per carry—ranked first in the conference—and is tied for second in the MAC with 119.0 rushing yards per game. Sharing the backfield with him are senior playmakers Shemar Ellis and Jayon Hailey.
• Robinson rushed for a career-high 213 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries while hauling in three catches for 11 yards in Friday's 35-28 win over Stevenson. His performance earned him the MAC Offensive Player of the Week honor.
• Hailey is the team's leading receiver, ranking eighth in the MAC with 52.6 receiving yards per game. He has six total touchdowns (three rushing, three receiving) and is the only player in the conference with multiple touchdowns both rushing and receiving this season.
• On special teams, the Monarchs look to continue their strong play, blocking a field goal and nearly taking another kickoff back to the house in last week's matchup against Stevenson.
• Among MAC teams, only the Monarchs have scored a touchdown on a kickoff return this season. They top the conference with a kickoff return average of 26.9 yards per attempt, headlined by Kival Clarke's 82-yard touchdown against Eastern and a 39-yard return from Brandon Auguste against Stevenson.
• King's defense continues to make its presence felt, with three Monarchs ranking among the MAC's top tacklers. James Rush leads the way with 44 total tackles, ranking third in the conference at 8.8 per game. Michael Richino follows in eighth with 36 tackles (7.2 per game), while Matt Blakemore ranks 11th with 34 tackles, averaging 6.8 per contest.
• Bryan Kelly has set the tone for the Monarchs' secondary, leading the MAC with eight pass breakups on the year. DB James Mangine and DE Xander Murray have recorded an interception for King's this season.

 
Up Next: The Monarchs return to the road next week for a Saturday afternoon showdown with Lebanon Valley. Kickoff against the Flying Dutchmen is set for 1:00 p.m.