WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 11, 2026) -- The King's College football team takes the field tonight to open Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play against Stevenson University. Prior to kickoff, King's will honor the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks - as well as the first responders who answered the call that day -  in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of one of the most significant moments in American history. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at McCarthy Stadium. The Monarchs remain at home following a Mayor's Cup contest that was suspended by lightning for a second consecutive season and will look to build on last year's 5-4 mark in MAC play. Stevenson enters tonight's matchup following a 17-0 shutout victory over Bridgewater College in its home opener last Friday.
 
Event Details:
Opponent: Stevenson (1-0, 0-0 MAC)
Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA - McCarthy Stadium
Tickets: $10 for Adults, $5 for Seniors 65+ and non-King's students showing I.D., Free for King's students showing I.D. and children under 6
Live Coverage: (Live Video) // (Live Stats)
 
Things to Know:
King's vs. Stevenson Game Notes
Tailgating Policy
Pet Policy
Spectator Policy
 
The Coaches: Mike Cebrosky is in his 17th season as a member of the King's football coaching staff and his third season as head coach of the Monarchs. Through his first two years at the helm, Cebrosky has guided King's to a 15-7 overall record and a 14-4 mark in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play, highlighted by the program's first outright MAC championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division III Football Championships in 2024. During his tenure as head coach, the Monarchs have produced 27 All-MAC selections, eight D3football.com All-Region honorees, and one D3football.com All-American. Cebrosky was named the 2024 MAC Coach of the Year after leading King's to a 10-2 overall record, a perfect 9-0 conference mark, and the longest winning streak in program history. Josh Hoeg enters his seventh season with the Mustangs and his first as head coach in 2026. Named just the second head coach in program history, Hoeg previously served as Stevenson's associate head coach and offensive coordinator after joining the staff in 2019. Prior to Stevenson, Hoeg spent seven seasons at Gannon University, where he served as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach while coaching five All-Americans and 16 All-Conference selections. Among those standouts was 2017 Harlon Hill Award runner-up Marcus Jones, who led NCAA Division II with 2,176 rushing yards. Before his time at Gannon, Hoeg spent four seasons at Wabash College as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and recruiting coordinator, helping the Little Giants compile a 39-7 record, earn three NCAA Division III Championship appearances, and capture two North Coast Athletic Conference titles. During his tenure at Wabash, Hoeg coached three All-Americans and 27 All-Conference performers.
 
Looking at Stevenson: The Mustangs enter this week's MAC Freedom matchup looking to build on last Friday's 17-0 victory over Bridgewater College. Stevenson averaged 358.2 yards per game in 2025, including 175.9 rushing yards and 182.3 passing yards per contest. Quarterback Todd Lattimore takes over as the full-time starter after making two starts a season ago, while running back Edward Emmens returns after rushing for 207 yards and a touchdown in 2025. The receiving corps is led by senior Dillon Johnson, who paced the team with 39 receptions for 499 yards and three touchdowns last season. He is joined by senior Stephen Tatum, who recorded 25 catches for 278 yards and six touchdowns, and sophomore Noah Robinson, who averaged 17.2 yards per reception. Stevenson also converted 78 percent of its red-zone opportunities a year ago. Defensively, the Mustangs allowed 310.7 yards per game in 2025 while recording 22 sacks and eight interceptions. Senior linebacker Matthew Berry returns after leading the team with 51 tackles, while defensive lineman Terae Franklin posted 39 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks. Stevenson forced 11 turnovers and recovered five fumbles last season. On special teams, Mohammad Butt opened the season as the Mustangs' primary kicker and punter after Stevenson converted six field goals and 31 extra points in 2025.
 
Home Threads: The Monarchs will hit the turf sporting red jerseys with red pants along with their traditional gold helmets.
 
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 2026 roster returned four single-digit members from 2025 in Xander Murray, Michael Richino, James Mangine and Kaleb Beers and have added one so far in 2026. The Monarchs now have five Single Digit Tough players: Xander Murray (0), Nick Hoffman (7), Michael Richino (8), James Mangine (9) and Kaleb Beers (55).
 
 
A Look at the Monarchs:

• The Monarchs have reached the postseason in three of the last four seasons and look to continue that trend in 2026.
• King's returns a trio of All-MAC honorees from 2025 while looking to replace First Team running back Brennan Robinson and wide receiver Jayon Hailey along with Honorable Mention Zach Hulsizer.
• The staff stands at 13 members, including six alumni in Ben Bakanas, Matt Blakemore, Mike Karycinski, Sean Lavine, Brendan Mozeleski and Brennan Robinson.
• King's was predicted sixth in the MAC Preseason Poll, just four points behind Lebanon Valley and Stevenson who are tied for fourth.
• The Monarchs' rushing attack was pivotal in all five wins a season ago, averaging 163.1 yards per game in 2025 with 15 combined rushing touchdowns.
• Kival Clarke returns to the receiving corps after recording 21 receptions for 254 yards and three touchdowns in 2025.
• Quarterback Jaelin Mims also returns after throwing for 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
• Continuity up front should be a strength for the Monarchs as Yasim Collins, Terrell Wood, Kaleb Beers, Kyle Cunningham, and Kyle VanConia all return to an offensive line that helped King's average 163.1 rushing yards per game last season.
• Punter Gavin Wolfe led the MAC with eight punts over 50 yards and ranked second in conference with 14 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
• In the return game, Brandon Auguste and Kival Clarke combined for more than 625 return yards, with Clarke adding an 80-yard kickoff return touchdown.
• The Monarchs' defense excelled in fourth-down situations in 2025, allowing opponents to convert just five of 18 attempts. Their 27.8 percent conversion rate allowed ranked first in the MAC.
• Defensively, sophomore linebacker James Rush returns after totaling 55 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 2025.
• The defensive line duo of Michael Richino and Xander Murray also returns after combining for 17.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks last season. Richino posted 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, while Murray added 10.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks.
• Holding things down in the secondary, James Mangine looks to step up once again after an interception, and five pass break ups in 2025.

 
Up Next: King's will face their first road test of the season next week, traveling to Alvernia University for a MAC showdown on Saturday, September 19. Kickoff against the Golden Wolves from the Alvernia Turf Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.