Wilkes Colonels (7-2, 5-2 MAC) vs. King's Monarchs (5-4, 3-4 MAC)
Saturday, November 16, 2019 - 12:00 p.m.
McCarthy Stadium - Mayor's Cup
 
Game Notes
 
Live Stats
 
Live Video

*The game will be televised live by WQMY at:
Comcast Cable: Channel 811 HD
Service Electric W-B: Channel 504 HD
Over the air: 53.1
Satellite: Channel 53
 
THE MATCHUP
The Wilkes University football team concludes its regular season with the 24th Annual Mayor's Cup game at King's College. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16 at McCarthy Stadium for a matchup of Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) teams. The Colonels are 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the MAC after dropping a 42-21 game to Stevenson on Saturday. The Monarchs are 5-4 overall and 3-4 in the MAC following a 41-21 loss at Widener. With a victory the Colonels would clinch third place in the MAC standings and the No. 2 seed for the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series. A loss by Widener to No. 11 Delaware Valley on Saturday would also clinch Wilkes into the No. 2 seed for the Bowl Series.
 
THE HEAD COACHES
Jonathan Drach (Western Michigan '04) was named head coach of the Wilkes University football team on February 8, 2018 becoming the ninth mentor of the program since its inception in 1946. Drach will continue to serve as the offensive coordinator during the 2019 season. Drach pioneered one of the biggest turnarounds in Division III football last season when he led the Colonels to a 5-5 record (6-4 after picking up a forfeit) after the team went winless in 2017. Four Colonels were named All-MAC under Drach in 2018 as quarterback Jose Tabora (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.) was named to the second team while receiver Jeff Steeber (Shickshinny, PA/Berwick), linebacker Bud Moyer (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua) and defensive back Devon Fink (Pottstown, PA/Pottsgrove) all garnered Honorable Mention selections. Drach came to Wilkes after 11 years at Hobart. As the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Drach was instrumental in leading the Statesmen to six Liberty League Conference championships, seven NCAA playoff appearances and three consecutive undefeated regular seasons. He began his career as the quarterbacks coach in 2007 until adding offensive coordinator to his responsibilities in 2014. Drach coached the Liberty League Offensive Player of the Year in 2007, 2014, 2016 and 2017 and the ECAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2016. He also coached seven All-League quarterbacks and a Bill Middleton Memorial Football Award Winner. A native of St. Charles, Ill., Drach earned his bachelor's degree in business finance and economics from Western Michigan University in 2004. A three-year starter, he enjoyed his finest year as a senior, completing a single season record 67 percent of his passes for 1,499 yards and 13 TDs.
 
Jeff Knarr (East Stroudsburg '94) is in the midst of his tenth season at King's. Knarr came to King's after serving 11 years as an assistant coach at Muhlenberg where he spent the final four years as offensive coordinator. He was instrumental in helping the Mule program to six Centennial Conference championships and five NCAA Division III National Playoff berths. King's offense has continued to evolve under Knarr as the Monarchs led the Middle Atlantic Conference in 2016 with 414.8 total yards per-game and 287.3 passing yards each contest. Knarr played two seasons at Fordham University as a free safety before transferring to Western Maryland College where he played his final two years as a linebacker before earning his degree from East Stroudsburg in 1994.
 
THE SERIES
This will be the 33rd meeting between the two schools, with Wilkes holding a 21-11 advantage in the series. King's posted a 45-0 victory last season at Schmidt Stadium. Wilkes also holds a 14-9 lead in Mayor's Cup games since the teams began playing for the cup in 1996. The Mayor's Cup tradition began with former Wilkes-Barre Mayor Thomas McGroarty and has remained intact through today with current Mayor Tony George presiding. The last Colonels win in the series was a 24-17 win in the 2015 edition of the contest.
 
UP NEXT
The Colonels await what postseason game they will play in. The Colonels will either play in their first-ever Centennial-MAC Bowl Series game or possibly get selected to play in an Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) bowl game.
 
SCOUTING THE WILKES OFFENSE (MULTIPLE)
- Wilkes ranks fifth in the MAC in scoring offense (31.2), sixth in total offense (372.8), fourth in rushing offense (151.7), and seventh in passing offense (221.1).
 
- Senior quarterback Jose Tabora (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.) broke the school record for career total offense against Stevenson on Saturday as he now stands at 6,994 yards to pass Boo Perry's 6,937. Tabora went 9-for-21 for 63 yards against Stevenson through the air and ran for a season-high 143 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns.
 
- Junior wide receiver Mike O'Donnell (East Newark, NJ/Harrison) and senior wide receiver Derek Nelson (Pompton Plains, NJ/Pequannock) each had three receptions last week. Tight ends Bryce Harrison (Hunlock Creek, PA/Northwest) and Jordan Jones (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Twp.) each had one reception in the game. Junior Nick Yanik (Edison, NJ/Edison Twp.) leads the team with 40 receptions and 610 receiving yards.
 
- Running back JaQuan Sheals (Dallas, TX/Cheshire Academy) rushed 13 times for 76 yards against the Mustangs. The freshman now has 421 yards on 81 carries this season and is tenth in the MAC at 52.6 yards-per-game. Jeremiah Acker (Moscow, PA/North Pocono) and Kamaal Reed (Egg Harbor City, NJ/Cedar Creek) are next in line for carries from the running back position for the Colonels. Reed was selected the ECAC Division III - North Rookie of the Month back in September.
 
- The Colonels offense is third in the conference with a 43.8 third-down conversion percentage and first with a 70.0 fourth-down conversion percentage at 14-for-20. Wilkes is fourth in the MAC with an average time of possession of 32:04.
 
SCOUTING THE WILKES DEFENSE (4-2-5)
- Wilkes is fifth in the MAC in scoring defense (28.1), fourth in total defense (334.9), second in rushing defense (93.7), and sixth in passing defense (241.2).
 
- Senior linebacker Bud Moyer (Tamaqua, PA/Tamaqua) made 10 tackles against Stevenson and now has 309 career tackles. He currently leads the MAC and ranks 30th in the country with 10.2 tackles-per-game. Moyer had one sack and 2.0 tackles-for-loss against Stevenson while also forcing a fumble. He was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week when the Colonels defeated Lycoming after a two interception performance including the game-clinching INT in double overtime.
 
- Vinnie Werner (Duncannon, PA/Susquenita) had a career-high 12 tackles last week from his defensive tackle position. The senior also had one sack, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup in the game.
 
- Freshman defensive back Dylan Walck (Hamlin, PA/Western Wayne) produced a breakout game with 10 tackles, a forced fumble that Derek Schneider (Spotswood, NJ/Spotswood) recovered, and a pass breakup against the Mustangs.
 
- Cole Jesmer (Dover, PA/Dover), a junior linebacker, and Pat Ricci (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown), a junior defensive end, also had a sack against Stevenson. Ricci also forced a fumble in the game and is now tied for second in the MAC with 6.0 sacks this season. Senior linebacker Gabe Allgyer (Paradise, PA/Pequea Valley) ranks second on the team and 13th in the conference with 60 total tackles.
- Sophomore cornerback Zack Nesheiwat (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week after he intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter to preserve the Colonels victory at Albright.
 
SCOUTING THE WILKES SPECIAL TEAMS
- Nate Whitaker (Upper Darby, PA/Haverford School) was named the ECAC Division III - North Special Teams Player of the Month for October after he returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in the span. Three weeks ago he was selected the MAC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. The freshman leads the conference and is third in the country with a 30.5 yard average on his kickoff returns.
 
- Against Stevenson, Whitaker had four kick returns for 98 yards with a long of 28.
 
- Freshman kicker Justin Pollack (Sloatsburg, NY/Suffern) was 3-for-3 on extra points last week and is 14-for-17 on the season.
 
SCOUTING THE KING'S OFFENSE (SPREAD)
- King's is eighth in the MAC in scoring offense (24.1), eighth in total offense (342.6), tenth in rushing offense (119.2), and sixth in passing offense (223.3).
 
- Sophomore quarterback Tyler Moore ranks fourth in the MAC with 2,010 passing yards and third with a 61.3 completion percentage. He has thrown for 18 touchdowns compared to six interceptions on the year. Last week Moore went 18-for-33 for 148 yards through the air with two touchdowns and no interceptions in a loss to Widener.
 
- Graduate senior Jordan Downes leads the conference with 960 rushing yards and a 120.0 yards-per-game average. Downes has scored seven rushing touchdowns and he was the MAC Offensive Player of the Week on September 22. Downes also has caught 34 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns. Both of his receiving scores came last week against Widener when he led the Monarchs with six receptions.
 
- Gabe Boccella ranks third in the conference with 781 receiving yards as the junior wide receiver is averaging 17.0 yards-per-reception and has six touchdowns.
 
SCOUTING THE KING'S DEFENSE (4-3)
- King's ranks third in the MAC in scoring defense (24.9), third in total defense (328.8), third in rushing defense (95.0), and fourth in passing defense (233.8).
 
- Junior defensive back Charles McCall leads King's and ranks tenth in the conference with 62 total tackles. His 9.0 tackles-for-loss rank seventh in the conference. McCall also leads the Monarchs with 4.5 sacks.
 
- Jaret Horn, also a junior defensive back, leads the MAC with five interceptions and is second with 11 passes defended.
 
- Senior defensive back Mikal Butler is also second in the conference with 11 passes defended as he has eight pass breakups and three interceptions.
 
SCOUTING THE KING'S SPECIAL TEAMS
- Freshman kicker Justin Timonte is 6-for-10 on field goals with a long of 42 and he is also 15-of-20 on PATs.