WILKES-BARRE - The Wilkes University football team returns to Schmidt Stadium this Saturday for their Landmark Conference opener against Catholic University, looking to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
The Colonels enter the game with a 2-2 record following their last-second win over Montclair State on the road 24-21.
It was an all-around team win for Wilkes. The offense jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter, and the defense shutout the Red Hawks in the first half. Once Montclair State fought back to tie it up at 21-21 midway through the fourth,
Cooper King (Northampton, PA/Northampton) led the Colonels on a game-winning drive that ended with
Nick Volpone (Delco, PA/Ridley) making a 26-yard field goal with 41 seconds left.
The offense as a whole has found its footing after a slow start to the season. King through four games under center has thrown for 565 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions. He's also the second leading rusher for the Colonels with 82 rushing yards and two touchdowns, with the leading rusher being sophomore running back
Chibugo Chigozie-Nwosu (Hillside, NJ/Hillside) with 108 rushing yards. The number one option in the air attack remains
Justin Moore (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) with 170 receiving yards on 10 receptions. His 17.0 yards per catch is tied for fourth in the Landmark Conference. Other reliable targets include wide receivers
Janas Simms (York, PA/William Penn) and
Juju Fears (Easton, PA/Easton Area), who combine for three receiving touchdowns.
However, the defense remains the team's biggest strength as they rank second in the Landmark in points per game allowed (20.0), passing yards allowed (187.3), sacks (7), and third in opponent third down percentage (30.9).Â
The linebacker duo of
Tallen Murray (Vineland, NJ/Saint Joseph Academy) and
Tyler Wetzel (Sellersville, PA/Pennridge) is the driving force behind Wilkes' defensive success. Murray leads the defense with 41 total tackles, two quarterback hits, and is third in pass breakups with three. Wetzel is right behind Murray with 40 total tackles and leads the team in sacks with two. Sophomore
Cohen Creswell (Winchester, VA/Millbrook) anchors the defensive line with 39 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries, and 8.5 tackles for loss. In the secondary,
Rob Barbieri (Avoca, PA/Pittston Area) and
Ryan Opperman (Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg) have put together strong seasons. Barbieri has 31 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery through four games, while Opperman has 14 tackles, an interception, and a team-leading five pass breakups through three games.
On special teams, Volpone remains perfect on both extra points (6/6) and field goals (4/4), and punter
Peter Zarafonitis (Staten Island, NY/New Dorp) continues to have a great season with an average of 42.3 yards per punt. Sophomore
Daniel Pigga (Dunmore, PA/Dunmore) remains dangerous as a return man with six returns for 178 yards, averaging 29.67 yards per return.
Catholic enters this game with a record of 1-3 after falling to #6 Salisbury 55-6 at home last week.
First-year quarterback Brady McBride leads the Cardinals under center with 354 passing yards, two touchdowns, and five interceptions. The ground game is their bread and butter with running back Daequan Harvin. The junior has rushed for 281 yards and one rushing touchdown, averaging 5.5 rushing yards per carry. Catholic's leading receiver is Cade Chrebet with nine receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown.
On defense the leader for the Cardinals is another first-year linebacker Evan Chromy. He leads the defense in total tackles (26), tackles for loss (3.5), and sacks (1). Michael Hopkins sits at second on the team with 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. In the secondary, Tyler Donnelly leads the Cardinals with four pass breakups, an interception, and has 10 tackles on the season.
On special teams, Catholic's punter Kieran Brenner has put together a strong season of his own with an average of 40.95 yards per punt, including a season-high 81-yard punt against Salisbury. On kicking duties is Brent Fardette III, who made his lone field goal attempt for 35-yards.
After this game, the Colonels go back on the road to play against Moravian University on Saturday, Oct. 11th. Kickoff against the Greyhounds is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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