WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 7, 2024) – Senior quarterback Russell Minor-Shaw was named the King's MVP of the 28th annual Mayor's Cup as the King's College football team dropped the season opener, 43-28, to crosstown rival Wilkes University at McCarthy Stadium. Under the lights on Saturday evening, the Monarchs began the season 0-1, while the Colonels start 1-0.
The annual rivalry game was a shoot out from the start with both teams scoring on their opening drives. King's (0-1) achieved the feat first, behind big runs from Brennan Robinson, Jayon Hailey, and Tony Brinson. Minor-Shaw ran it in from five yards out to put the Monarchs ahead, 7-0. Wilkes (1-0) matched the effort with a five play, 65-yard drive to knot the score at 7-7 with 8:37 to go in the opening quarter.
The Monarchs came up empty on their next possession, and the Colonels capitalized in just one play to go up, 14-7. The hosts dug in and responded, delivering a six play, 64 yard drive over 3:35 of game clock as Minor-Shaw completed a pass up the middle to Hailey to tie the game again, 14-14.
Wilkes converted on back-to-back drives, including a two-point conversion, to jump ahead, 29-14. The Monarchs got back in the scoring column on their next possession, marching down the field and capitalizing on an 18-yard run from Hailey to start the drive and a Wilkes pass interference call as Minor-Shaw connected with Ryan McCombs to close within 29-21.
Neither team could string together another scoring drive in the busy first half as Wilkes maintained their 29-21 edge at the break.
The visiting Colonels continued to find their stride on Saturday night, posting another touchdown to start the third quarter. After trading empty possessions, King's seemed to find a rhythm, going for 11 plays and 77 yards before an interception on the first play of the fourth quarter squashed their effort.
Another stretch of empty trips set up Wilkes' final scoring drive of the night, building their advantage to 43-21, but the Monarchs did not go down without a fight. Minor-Shaw hit EJ Schreiner on back-to-back plays for 23 yards before chipping away with some quick gains before finding EJ Schreiner in the back right corner of the end zone for the touchdown to climb back within 43-28.
The onside kick attempt by the Monarchs came up shy, and the Colonels ran out the final 1:03 of the game clock as King's fell, 43-28, in the 28th annual Mayor's Cup at McCarthy Stadium.
Minor-Shaw earned the team's MVP as he threw for 255 yards, completing 28-of-35 with three touchdowns while also rushing for 81 yards and a score on 12 carries. Hailey added 74 yards on 10 attempts with 65 yards on catches and a touchdown. Brinson had a great night in his first collegiate start, totaling 62 yards on four receptions, while Schreiner went for 49 yards and Mike DiGregorio added 45.
Defensively, Osman Kamara led the team with nine tackles while Jared Reto added eight with a tackle for loss. Alex Tristan and Tarylle Stewart also posted their own eight tackles a piece, while Trevor Gleason had a strong outing with seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a break up, and a quarterback hurry.
On special teams, Joachim McElroy punted four times for 109 yards, and Brinson returned five kickoffs for 103 yards. Additionally, Delaney Hilferty was a perfect 4-for-4 on extra-point attempts.
The Colonels' MVP was awarded to quarterback Xavier Powell as he completed 11-of-18 for 283 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 65 yards and a score. Elijah Jules led both the run game with 84 yards and a touchdown on 14 attempts and the receiving efforts with 66 yards on a pair of catches. Both Tallen Murray and Rob Barbieri totaled 12 tackles a piece in the win.
As a team, the Monarchs had the edge in total first downs, 23-18, while also holding a 196-142 advantage in the run game. Overall, King's had 451 yards of total offense compared to just 425 by the Colonels.
The Monarchs will return to McCarthy Stadium next weekend as they host Misericordia University in their Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) opener. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.
--MONARCHS--