WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 19, 2026) -- The King's College football team embarks on its first road trip of the season on Saturday afternoon, traveling to Alvernia University for a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) matchup with the Golden Wolves. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Alvernia Turf Field. The Monarchs will look to bounce back after a second-half comeback bid fell short in a 26-21 loss to Stevenson last Friday night. Alvernia enters its home opener following a narrow 14-10 setback at Widener last Saturday.
 
Event Details:
Opponent: Alvernia (0-2, 0-1 MAC)
Date: Saturday, September 18, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: Reading, PA - Alvernia Turf Field
Tickets: $6 (Purchase Tickets)
Live Coverage: (Live Video) // (Live Stats)
 
Things to Know:
King's vs. Alvernia Game Notes
Tailgating 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. Steve Devlin enters his first season with the Golden Wolves, after spending the last eight seasons as the Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator for Ursinus College. Prior to his time at Ursinus, Devlin spent 11 years as the head coach of Archbishop Wood High School in the Philadelphia Catholic League. During Devlin's time with Ursinus, the Bears went 53-23 overall and 34-21 in Centennial Conference play. Ursinus received an at-large bid for the NCAA Tournament in his second last season with the Bears in 2024. Before joining Ursinus in 2018, Devlin helped the Vikings of Archbishop Wood by compiling a 132-22-1 overall record and had a ten-year stretch leading the Vikings to Philadelphia Catholic League titles. The Vikings were PIAA State runners-up in 2008 and 2012. Devlin has three Archbishop Wood football alumni that currently play in the NFL – Kyle Pitts, a tight end for the Atlanta Falcons, Ryan Bates, a center for the Chicago Bears, and Raheem Blackshear, a running back most recently with the Carolina Panthers.
 
Looking at Alvernia: The Golden Wolves enter this week's MAC matchup looking to bounce back after two-straight losses to kick off their 2026 season, with the most recent one being against Widener on the road last Saturday by a final score of 14-10. So far this season, Alvernia has averaged 300.5 yards per game, including 102.5 on the ground, and 198 through the air. First year quarterback Sawyer Esbenshade has been the immediate starter for the Golden Wolves, going 38 for 61 with 396 passing yards and 2 touchdowns through the first two games. A split-carry backfield features junior running backs Adonis Dixon and Andrew Simmons who have both had 24+ carries, 100+ yards, and a rushing touchdown as well. In the receiving corps, sophomore wide receiver Yon Anderson leads the way with the only two receiving touchdowns on the season for Alvernia to go along with seven catches and 61 yards, junior wide receiver Frank Billings leads the Golden Wolves in receiving yards with 90 on five catches, and sophomore wide receiver Zakai Smullen leads the team in receptions with eight so far in the first two games. The Golden Wolves have converted 44% of their red zone trips, scoring three touchdowns and one field goal on nine chances. Defensively, Alvernia allowed 252.5 yards per game in the first two games and recorded five sacks for 35 yards. The Golden Wolves have two interceptions including one each from senior defensive back Kashantis Anderson while also recovering one fumble, and graduate student defensive back Jordan Smilke having the other. Kashantis Anderson also leads the Golden Wolves with 15 total tackles and a forced fumble against Widener last week, Meanwhile, sophomore linebacker Tommy DiGregorio leads the Golden Wolves with a pair of sacks - both against Keystone - as well as six tackles and 2.0 TFL. On special teams, first-year Kevin Carotenuto has started as the kicker and punter for the Golden Wolves, and has gone 1 for 3 on field goal attempts, three of his eight punts have been inside the 20-yard line and one that reached 50+ yards, and is a perfect 4/4 on point after touchdown tries through the first four games.
 
Road Threads: The Monarchs will hit the turf sporting white jerseys with gold pants along with their traditional gold helmets.
 
Captains This Saturday: Reynaldo Carter and Nick Hoffman will represent the offense for the coin toss. Joining them at midfield will be defensive leaders James Mangine and Jacob Mullery.
 
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: The Monarchs return home next Saturday to host Widener University in their Homecoming game at McCarthy Stadium. Kickoff against the Pride is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.