ONEONTA, NY – Visiting King's College (2-0) scored three straight touchdowns in a 7:42 span in the first half to turn a one-point deficit into a 20-point lead in a 41-19 victory Hartwick's football team (1-2) on Saturday at Wright Stadium.
Both teams were close in terms of yardage, with King's gaining 393 yards to the Hawks' 374, and both committed four turnovers, but the Monarchs still came away with the 22-point victory. They would capitalize for touchdowns on five of six drives in the first half at one point.
Quarterback Davien Kuinlan (Bethpage, NY/Plainedge) gained 82 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns for the Hawks. Grant Harman (Liberty, NY/Liberty) connected on 18-of-28 passes for 228 yards and one touchdown with one interception. Kishaun Bell (Beacon, NY/Beacon) made five catches for 103 yards. Jason Fucci (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon) added five grabs for 54 yards with Rusty Virkler (Apalachin, NY/Vestal) contributing four catches for 33 yards.
Jordan Downes ran for 159 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries for the Monarchs. Quarterback Tyler Moore went 20-for-29 for 230 yards, two scores, and two picks. Receiver Gabe Bocella made six catches for 119 yards and one trip to the end zone.
King's scored first as Moore hit Bocella on a deep pass and he ran it in for a 62-yard touchdown reception. Jack Colbath (Monroe, NY/Monroe Woodbury) blocked the extra point and the Monarchs led 6-0.
The Hawks answered right back after a Fucci 51-yard kickoff return set 'Wick up at the Monarch 40 yard-line. Four plays later, Kuinlan ran it in from two yards out and Kevin Roberts' (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central) PAT put the Hawks in front 7-6 with just over six minutes elapsed in the opening quarter.
The Monarchs marched 91 yards on 12 plays on their next possession with Downes capping the drive off with a 22-yard touchdown run to put them up 13-7. After forcing a Hartwick turnover, Downes scored on a 36-yard run three plays later to increase the margin to 20-7.
'Wick punted on its next possession in the second quarter and King's countered again on a 9-play, 63-yard drive with Moore finding Downes for a 9-yard touchdown pass and a 27-7 advantage.
A Cameron Conrad (Valley Cottage, NY/Clarkstown North) pick gave the Hawks the ball on the King's 43 yard-line with under five minutes to go in the half. Kuinlan ran the ball four straight times, which included a 31-yard gain. He scored on a five-yard run to trim the gap to 27-13.
King's wasn't done in the half as it got the ball back and scored after 10 plays. Downes made the touchdown run from 20 yards out with just 14 seconds left and the PAT gave the Monarchs a 34-13 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, the Hawks would drive all the way to the King's 11 yard-line with a first and 10. Three plays later, they faced fourth and eight but got only seven yards and turned the ball over on downs.
The Hartwick defense got a takeaway, stopping the Monarchs for the second straight time as Conrad forced a fumble that was recovered by Eli Greene (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington). Three plays after the game entered the fourth quarter, Kuinlan was intercepted by Jaret Horn at his own 9 yard-line and he ran it back 91 yards for the pick six to make it a 28-point game.
The Hawks scored on their final drive, a 7-play, 44-yard effort. Harman connected with Justice Mansfield-Beaulieu (Hartford, CT/Bloomfield) for an 18-yard touchdown pass to make the score 41-19. Robert's PAT struck the upright and the Monarchs ran out the clock on their next possession to take the victory.
Conrad, Matt Scotman (White Plains, NY/White Plains), and Dylan Williams-Bachman (Homer, NY/Homer) all had six tackles to lead the Hawks. Conrad added a sack, forced fumble, and interception. Kyle Kessler (Latham, NY/Shaker) added five hits and an interception. Noah Socash (Vestal, NY/Vestal) had four tackles, including two tackles for a loss. Stephen Junjulas (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) had one pick on the day.
The Hawks hit the road for Canton, NY next Saturday as the Hawks take on St. Lawrence University (1-2). Kickoff is 1 p.m.
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