Wilkes Colonels (1-0, 0-0) at Misericordia Cougars (1-0, 0-0)
Saturday, September 18, 2021 - 1:00 p.m.
Mangelsdorf Field
 
Game Notes
 
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THE MATCHUP
Wilkes University returns from its early season bye week to travel to area rival Misericordia University on Saturday, September 18 as both teams open Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play. Kickoff at Mangelsdorf Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The Colonels opened the season two weeks ago with a 46-7 victory at home over Keystone College. The Cougars opened their season last Saturday with a 28-7 win at Keystone.
 
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 2021 season as well as working with the quarterbacks. Wilkes continued its success under Drach in 2019 when he led the Colonels to an 8-3 overall record, finishing 6-2 in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play and earning a postseason berth for the first time since 2010 and the program's first trip to the Centennial-MAC Bowl Series. The eight wins were also the most since 2006 for the program. Drach pioneered one of the biggest turnarounds in Division III football in 2018 when he led the Colonels to a 6-4 record after the team went winless in 2017.

Four Colonels were named All-MAC under Drach in 2018 and 2019. 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.
 
John Davis (Liberty) was named the head coach of Misericordia on July 9, 2021. Davis comes to Misericordia after coaching The Apprentice School to a 15-7 record over the past three seasons. In 2019, he led Apprentice to 6-3 record to give the Builders their first varsity winning season since 2006. The Builders made their first NCAA Postseason Bowl appearance when they qualified for the inaugural Neptune Bowl. Davis spent two seasons as head football coach at John Handley High School in Winchester, VA. He also served as head football coach and assistant athletics director at Central Florida Christian Academy where he led the Eagles to 7-2 record and playoff berth. From 2008-2014, Davis was the assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator at Gallaudet University. His responsibilities also included Recruiting Coordinator and Admissions Liaison. In 2014, he was named the American Football Coaches Association Division III Assistant Coach of the Year. In Davis' six seasons at Gallaudet, the Bison posted a 24-17 (.585) record and won the 2013 ECFC championship. Davis coached 35 all-conference defensive players, along with the 2012 ECFC Defensive Player of the Year and two ECFC Rookies of the Year (2009, '10). The Lynchburg, VA., native is a proud graduate of Liberty University where he lettered in football proud graduate of Liberty University where he lettered in football.
 
THE SERIES
This will be the ninth meeting between the schools as Wilkes leads the series 5-3. The Colonels defeated the Cougars 36-35 in overtime last time the teams met during the 2019 season at Magelsdorf Field.
 
UP NEXT
The Colonels return to Schmidt Stadium to face Alvernia University in a 1:00 p.m. MAC game. Wilkes holds a 2-0 record against the Golden Wolves including a 45-12 victory at home in 2019.
 
SCOUTING THE WILKES OFFENSE (MULTIPLE)
- Wilkes ranks first in the MAC in scoring offense (46.0), first in total offense (558.0), first in rushing offense (369.0), and fifth in passing offense (189.0).
 
- The Colonels rushing attack was the story during their season-opening victory against Keystone. Sophomore running back Kamaal Reed (Egg Harbor City, NJ/Cedar Creek) rushed eight times for 148 yards (18.5 yards-per-carry) and two touchdowns and for his efforts was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Week. First year running back Elijah Jules (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) added 13 carries for 116 yards and two more scores in his first collegiate contest. Fellow first year running back Romeo Thomas (Colts Neck, NJ/Colts Neck) also scored a touchdown amongst his seven carries for 47 yards. In total, Wilkes rushed for 369 yards.
 
- Senior quarterback Jose Tabora (Egg Harbor Township, NJ/St. Augustine Prep.), who is already the career total offense leader at Wilkes, started the game against Keystone and went 9-for-19 for 117 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. He also rushed nine times for 28 yards. Tabora moved into third place on the Wilkes all-time passing yards list as he reached 6,277 for his career in the Navy and Gold uniform.
 
- Junior quarterback Heath Hoovler (Sparrowbush, NY/Burke Catholic) went 3-for-7 with a touchdown while rushing twice for 15 yards and first year quarterback Xavier Powell (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington) saw his first action as he went 1-for-2 for 25 yards and rushed three times for 17 yards.
 
- Cory Pelzer (Somerset, NJ/The Pennington School) made an immediate impact in his debut for the Colonels as the sophomore wide receiver made two receptions, both for touchdowns in the victory. His scores were from 34 and 31 yards out as he totaled 65 yards in the game. Fellow sophomore wide receiver Jason Schweizerhof (Warninster, PA/William Tennent) led the team with four receptions as he gained 52 yards.
 
- Senior wide receiver Richard Ermeus (Hillside, NJ/David Brearley) recorded two catches for 30 yards and sophomore wide receiver Nate Whitaker (Upper Darby, PA/Haverford School) had two for 18 yards.
 
SCOUTING THE WILKES DEFENSE (4-3-4)
- Wilkes is tied for second in the MAC in scoring defense (7.0), second in total defense (192.0), tied for third in rushing defense (102.0), and second in passing defense (90.0).
 
- The Colonels defense was strong throughout the season opener, nearly recording the first shutout for the program since 2007 before Keystone found the end zone with 48 second remaining.
 
- First year linebacker Nick Troutman (Kulpmont, PA/Mount Carmel) led Wilkes with nine total tackles as he registered three solo and six assisted. Sophomore defensive back Dylan Walck (Hamlin, PA/Western Wayne) tied for the team lead with three solo tackles.
 
- Senior defensive lineman Pat Ricci (Gilbertsville, PA/Boyertown) and sophomore defensive lineman Adam Piston (Laurys Station, PA/Parkland) each recorded 2.5 tackles-for-loss. Piston impressed with eight total tackles, while Ricci finished with five.
- Four different players recorded a sack for the Colonels against the Giants with junior defensive lineman Billy Costner (Bordentown, NJ/Bordentown Regional), sophomore defensive lineman Brandon Holcomb (Boynton Beach, FL/Boca Raton Community), first year defensive lineman Steele Hess (Palmerton, PA/Whitehall), and junior defensive back Nahjir Woods (Piscataway NJ/Piscataway) all getting to the quarterback.
 
- Woods also forced a fumble and sophomore defensive lineman Adrian Malave' (Clifton, NJ/Passaic County Tech) recovered a fumble. Sophomore defensive back John Washington (Brooklyn, NY/Eagle Academy) and first year defensive back Jesse Addesso (Staten Island, NY/St. Joes by The Sea) each recorded interceptions in the game as Wilkes forced three turnovers of the Keystone offense.
 
SCOUTING THE WILKES SPECIAL TEAMS
- Sophomore kicker Justin Pollack (Sloatsburg, NY/Suffern) converted 4-of-6 PATs in the game.
 
- First year kicker Alex Orlando (Allentown, PA/Emmaus) kicked off five times for a 53-yard average while fellow first year kicker Brandon Shire (Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) averaged 42.0 yards on his two kickoffs.
 
- The Colonels did not punt or attempt a field goal in the game against Keystone.
 
- Jules returned three punts for 50 yards, including one for 43 yards.
 
- First year wide receiver Justin Moore (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) (13 yards) and sophomore full back Joe Curry (Galloway, NJ/Cedar Dreek) (15 yards) returned the only two Keystone kickoffs.
 
SCOUTING THE MISERICORDIA OFFENSE (MULTIPLE)
- Misericordia is fifth in the MAC in scoring offense (28.0), sixth in total offense (334.0), second in rushing offense (217.0), and tenth in passing offense (117.0).
 
- Senior running back Michael Gawlik rushed 18 times for 81 yards and two touch- downs in the Cougars victory over Keystone. Gawlik added a third touchdown in the pass game as he hauled in three catches for 46 yards. Fellow senior running back Da- vid Cromwell added 12 carries for 73 yards (6.1 yards-per-carry). Misericordia gained 217 yards on the ground in the game.
 
- Senior quarterback Mitchell Micale started his first career game under center. He went 11-for-24 for 117 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Micale added 10 rushes for 53 yards.
 
- Senior wide receiver Dwayne Sharpe caught three passes for 32 yards and Kevin Pearson, another senior wide receiver also had three receptions as he went for 24 yards. Willie Wallace had two receptions for 15 yards as he rounded out the senior trio of receivers for the Cougars that produced against the Giants.
 
SCOUTING THE MISERICRDIA DEFENSE (3-4-4)
- Misericordia ranks tied for second in the MAC in scoring defense (7.0), third in total defense (224.0), sixth in rushing defense (114.0), and tied for third in passing defense (110.0).
 
- Senior linebacker Tavion Rogers recorded a team-high nine tackles in the opener.
 
- Junior defensive end Chuck Uwalor had a team-high five solo tackles including two sacks that drove the Giants back 28 yards.
 
- Senior defensive back Zachary Orzell was second on the team with eight tackles while also adding two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
 
- Sophomore defensive back Kobe Martin came away with an interception for the Cougars.
 
SCOUTING THE MISERICRDIA SPECIAL TEAMS
- Kicker Nicholas Neidlinger connected on his field goal opportunity for the Cougars and the senior also averaged 49.5 yards on two kickoffs.
 
- Sophomore kicker Chris Moyer averaged 58.3 yards on three kickoffs including two touchbacks.
 
- Tom Weiskircher punted six times for an average of 39.83 yards. The senior put three of the punts inside the 20-yard-line and had a long of 61 yards.
 
- Gawlik returned two kickoffs for 21 yards while sophomore Jadyn Childs returned one for 19 yards.
 
- Junior Carlos Artson had one punt return for 22 yards.