WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 26, 2026) -- The King's College football team returns to McCarthy Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a pivotal Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) clash with Widener University. The matchup serves as the centerpiece of Homecoming and Family Weekend, as Monarch alumni, families, students, and supporters gather to celebrate King's tradition and spirit. Looking to rebound from a hard-fought 28-21 setback at Alvernia after erasing a 13-0 halftime deficit, the Monarchs welcome a Pride squad that enters on a two-game winning streak following a 17-15 road victory over FDU-Florham.
 
Event Details:
Opponent: Widener (2-1, 2-0 MAC)
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Time: 1:00 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. Widener 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 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. Mike Barainyak enters his eighth season as head coach of the Pride after spending two years on Widener's staff, including serving as offensive coordinator in 2018. Under his direction, the Pride averaged 29.9 points per game in 2018, an improvement of more than a touchdown from the previous season. As offensive line coach in 2017, he helped Widener allow its fewest quarterback sacks in five years. Before arriving at Widener, Barainyak spent two seasons at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor as tight ends and assistant offensive line coach, helping the Cru win a national championship in 2016 and reach the national quarterfinals in 2015. During that time, he mentored two All-Americans, two All-South Region selections, and six All-American Southwest Conference honorees. Barainyak also served as video coordinator and special teams graduate assistant at Villanova, contributing to a Colonial Athletic Association championship team that advanced to the NCAA FCS postseason. He began his coaching career at Delaware Valley University as tight ends and assistant offensive line coach, helping the Aggies capture multiple conference titles.
 
 
Looking at Widener: The Pride enter this week's Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) matchup looking to win their third straight after two straight wins after losing in their first game to kick off their 2026 season, with the most recent win being against MAC opponent FDU-Florham on the road last Saturday by a final score of 17-15. So far this season Widener has averaged 192.7 yards per game, including 93.5 yards on the ground, and 99 yards through the air. Sophomore quarterback Corey Schock has been the immediate starter for the Pride, going 23 for 56 with 217 passing yards and 1 touchdown through the first three games. A split carry backfield features junior running back Michael Turner and sophomore running back Caiden Leszczynski, who have combined for 49 carries for 193 yards and two touchdowns. In the receiving corps, senior wide receiver Jaelen Richardson leads the way with the only receiving touchdown on the season for Widener to go along with seven catches and 126 yards, senior wide receiver Devin Ahmed is third on the Pride in receptions with six catches, and sophomore running back Caiden Leszczynski leads the team in receptions with 10 catches to go along with 44 yards so far in the first three games. The Pride have converted 43% of their red zone trips, scoring 2 touchdowns and one field goal on seven chances. Defensively, Widener allowed 286.7 yards per game in the first three games and recorded 11 sacks for 61 yards. The Pride have six interceptions including four from senior defensive back Luke Shaeffer, and one each from sophomore Asa McMillan and senior Ryan Wilson. McMillan also leads the Pride with 24 total tackles. Meanwhile, first-year defensive end Aaron Marbury leads the Pride in sacks with 4.5 and had two against Alvernia. On special teams, sophomore Fred Adler has started as the kicker for the Pride and has gone 1 for 2 on field goal attempts, and sophomore punter Brandon Yoder three of his 22 punts have been inside the 20-yard line and one that reached 43 yards, and Adler is a perfect 6/6 on point after touchdown tries through the first three games.
 
Home Threads: The Monarchs will hit the Betzler Field 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 are averaging 362.0 yards of total offense per game through the first two weeks of the season.
• Quarterback Jaelin Mims has thrown for 438 yards and four touchdowns, including a season-high 262 yards at Alvernia.
• Kival Clarke leads King's with eight receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 61-yard scoring catch against the Golden Wolves.
• Reynaldo Carter has emerged as the Monarchs' top rusher, totaling 206 yards and a touchdown while averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
• King's ranks among the top rushing teams in the MAC, averaging 143.0 yards per game on the ground.
• The Monarchs stand as the only team in the MAC with a perfect fourth-down conversion rate, converting all three of their attempts this season.
• Eric Zebrowski found the end zone twice at Alvernia, scoring on both a 46-yard touchdown reception and an 11-yard rushing touchdown.
• 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.
• The defensive front is led by All-MAC selection Xander Murray, who currently paces the Monarchs with 16.0 total tackles and 3.0 tackles for a loss of 11 yards.
• James Rush and Jacob Mullery follow closely behind Murray with 15.0 tackles apiece.

 
Up Next: Following next week's bye, the Monarchs travel to Radnor, Pa. for a road test against the Eastern University Eagles on Saturday, October 10. Kickoff from the Football Facility at Valley Forge is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.