WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 3, 2026) -- The King's College football team opens the 2026 season under the lights tonight in the 30th annual Mayor's Cup game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at McCarthy Stadium against cross-town rival Wilkes University. The Monarchs enter the season following a 5-5 campaign in 2025, including a 5-4 mark in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play. Wilkes posted a 7-4 overall record last season and finished 4-2 in the Landmark Conference before defeating Shenandoah University in the Cape Henry Bowl.
 
Event Details:
Opponent: Wilkes (0-0, 0-0 Landmark)
Date: Thursday, September 3, 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 – CASH ONLY
Live Coverage: (Live Video, Aired on Fox56) // (Live Stats)
 
Things to Know:
King's vs. Wilkes Game Notes
Tailgating Policy
Pet Policy
Spectator Policy
 
The Coaches: Mike Cebrosky is in his third season as the head coach of the Monarchs. Through his first two seasons, Cebrosky has guided King's to a 15-7 overall record, highlighted by the program's first outright Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) championship and an appearance in the NCAA Division III Football Championships in 2024. During his tenure, the Monarchs have produced 26 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 and a perfect 9-0 mark in conference play. David Biever enters his 13th season with the Colonels and his third year as head coach. Prior to his promotion, Biever served as Wilkes' Associate Head Coach, Offensive Line Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator. In his first season at the helm, he guided the Colonels to a 7-4 overall record and a 5-1 mark in Landmark Conference play, earning a berth in the Chesapeake Bowl Challenge. Biever coached 19 student-athletes to All-Landmark Conference honors in 2024, including his first All-American, Donell Mackey-Woodson. Last season, Biever picked up his first postseason victory as head coach when Wilkes defeated Shenandoah University, 37-35, in the Cape Henry Bowl. The Colonels finished 7-4 overall and 4-2 in Landmark play while placing 18 student-athletes on the All-Landmark Team
 
Looking at Wilkes: The Colonels enter McCarthy Stadium looking to start the season off strong after averaging 320.4 yards per game, including 135.6 on the ground and 184.7 through the air in 2025. First-year quarterback Trey Dogmantis looks to make an immediate impact, while junior running back Chibugo Chigozie-Nwosu returns after adding 242 yards on 70 carries (3.5 avg) and one touchdown. In the receiving corps, key returners include senior wide receiver Juju Fears who in 2025 was second on the team with 32 catches for 555 yards (13.9 avg) and four touchdowns, while Shane Reed (8 receptions, 90 yards) and Daniel Pigga (7 receptions, 342 yards, 6 TDs) look to make a splash in the 2026 season once again.The Colonels converted 79% of their red zone trips last season, scoring 19 touchdowns and 12 field goals on 39 chances.
 
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 14 members, including seven alumni in Ben Bakanas, Matt Blakemore, Will Cameron, 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 to McCarthy Stadium next Friday to open Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play against Stevenson University at 7:00 p.m. King's will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a special pregame ceremony.