Wilkes Football Rolls on Homecoming against Alvernia 45-12
EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University football team welcomed back alumni and friends on Homecoming with an explosive 45-12 win over Alvernia University from Schmidt Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) action.
The Colonels moved to 2-0 in conference and 4-0 overall. 2019 marks the programs first 4-0 start since 2006 when Wilkes started 11-0, including a MAC Championship and first round NCAA win over Washington & Lee.
Alvernia started the contest by winning the coin toss and electing to receive the kick, however, on a third-and-eight from its own 34, Golden Wolves quarterback Darrius Sample was intercepted by Nahjir Woods (Piscataway NJ/Piscataway) at the Colonels' 40. Woods returned the pick 23 yards to Alvernia's 37, and the ball was advanced to the Golden Wolves 11 after being called for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the return.
Wilkes moved the ball as far as Alvernia's five-yard line, but the drive stalled after three plays resulting in a successful 23-yard field goal from Alexander DeSpirito (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Crestwood) to give the Colonels a 3-0 lead just four minutes into the game.
Wilkes caught the Golden Wolves off guard on the ensuing kickoff with an on-side kick, which was recovered by DeSpirito at the Colonels 46-yard line. After a two-yard rush started the drive, Wilkes quarterback Jose Tabora (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.) uncorked a 52-yard completion to Richard Ermeus (Hillside, NJ/David Brearley) for the Colonels first touchdown, with the following PAT by DeSpirito making the score 10-0 Wilkes 10 minutes left in the first quarter.
Both teams were unable to generate any sustained drives the remainder of the quarter as the Colonels entered the end of the first still holding a 10-point advantage.
Wilkes first possession of the second quarter resulted in a punt after eight plays and 16 yards. After DeSpirito's punt resulted in a touchback, Alvernia's offense engineered a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive capped off with a two-yard run. The PAT failed, making the score 10-6 Colonels with just under five minutes until halftime.
Wilkes started with the ball on its own 43 after a 21-yard return by Jason Schweizerhof (Warninster, PA/William Tennent), and the offense took over marching the ball 57-yards on nine plays. Highlighting the drive were a 20-yard completion from Tabora to Jordan Jones (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Twp.) on a third-and-two from the Golden Wolves' 49, and 21-yard completion to Derek Nelson (Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock) on a second-and-10 from Alvernia's 29-yard line to set up first-and-goal at the Golden Wolves' eight-yard line. On fourth-and-goal from the three-yard line, Tabora found Bryce Harrison (Hunlock Creek, PA/Northwest) for the score. Nelson found the endzone on a two-point attempt to give the Colonels an 18-6 advantage with just one minute left in the half.
Alvernia started its next drive at its own 26-yard line, but on third-and-four at the 32-yard line and 17 seconds on the clock Sample was intercepted by Vinnie Werner (Duncannon, PA/Susquenita) at the 30, who took it to the house for a pick-six. DeSpirito added the extra point as the Colonels headed to halftime holding a 25-6 lead.
Wilkes received the kick to start the second half with the ball at its own 48. On the second play, Tabora found Nick Yanik (Edison, NJ/Edison Twp.) for a 50-yard touchdown strike which extended the Colonels lead to 32-6 after DeSpirito's PAT.
Wilkes' defense made a statement on the next drive, a three-and-out that saw the Golden Wolves lose 12 yards overall. On the next drive the Colonels found themselves once again with excellent field position starting from Alvernia's 49. A nine-yard rush by Kamaal Reed (Egg Harbor City, NJ/Cedar Creek) was wiped out by a holding penalty, but on third-and-nine from the Golden Wolves' 47, Tabora connected with Nate Whitaker (Upper Darby, PA/Haverford School) for a 30-yard pickup. Wilkes continued down the field until a third-and-one rush from the eight was taken home by Reed to make the score 38-6 in the Colonels' favor.
Alvernia cut the deficit to 38-12 on its next drive with a 61-yard run from Sample.
The Colonels finished the scoring with a 10-play, 64-yard drive with new quarterback Heath Hoovler (Sparrowbush, NY/Burke Catholic) breaking tackles on his way to the endzone with a three-yard touchdown run after finishing the drive with 28 rush yards. DeSpirito added the PAT to reach the final score.
Neither team added points in the fourth quarter.
Tabora finished the contest 14-of-25 for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Hoovler completed two-of-three attempts for 22 yards. Sample finished the game 5-of-17 for 53 yards.
Reed led the rushing attack for Wilkes with 35 yards on six attempts and a score. JaQuan Sheals (Dallas, TX/Cheshire Academy) contributed 21 yards on four rushes.
Yanik led all receivers with 84 yards and touchdown on six catches while Ermeus had 58 yards and a score on two receptions and Whitaker contributed 43 yards on three catches.
Werner finished with a sack and a pick-six while Nahjir Woods (Piscataway NJ/Piscataway) added an interception on defense. Aidan Sinisgalli (Lake Hopatcong, NJ/Jefferson Twp.) and Jason Hampton (Lakeland, FL/Lakeland) led the way with six total tackles and Zack Nesheiwat (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) and Bud Moyer (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua) were credited with two pass breakups each. Three Colonels notched sacks on the day and eight had at least a half-tackle for loss.
Wilkes returns to action next Saturday when it travels to Albright College for a 1:00 p.m. MAC contest.
