CONTACT: Steve Mullen (518) 629-8063
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, October 21, 2006
Hudson Valley Community College (4-3/2-3) overcame a sluggish first half to defeat visiting Berean Institute, 27-0, this afternoon in Northeast Football Conference action.
Hudson Valley's offense struggled much of the first half. The Vikings had just 72 yards of offense in the half and turned the ball over three times. However, Hudson Valley did manage to take a 6-0 lead into the break when Kyle Bowen (Albany/Bishop Maginn High School) intercepted a pass and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown with 5:51 remaining in the second quarter. The extra point attempt was missed after a bad snap.
Berean fumbled the kickoff to start the second half which setup Hudson Valley at the Bears 39 yard line. Three plays later, freshman running back Calvin Smith (Copiague/Copiague High School) carried the ball in from one yard out to give Hudson Valley a 13-0 lead.
On Hudson Valley's next possession, the Vikings were stopped on a fourth and goal at the five yard line but three plays later, Berean fumbled the ball on its own one yard line. Freshman quarterback Vernon Cross (Loudonville/Shaker High School) snuck it in from one yard away to give Hudson Valley a 20-0 lead with 6:38 remaining in the third quarter.
Hudson Valley's final score came on a one-yard run from sophomore quarterback Rodney Turner (Media, PA/Strath Haven High School) with 7:52 remaining in the game.
Hudson Valley rushed for 221 yards on the day. Sophomore running back Dontay Wilson (Stamford, CT/Stamford High School) led the way with 143 yards on 17 carries. Smith had 88 yards on 16 carries.
Rakiem Smith completed seven-of-21 passes for 162 yards to lead Berean.
Hudson Valley's defense was led by freshman Jeremy Pruitt (Far Rockaway/Far Rockaway High School), who finished with eight tackles, including three sacks, and a forced fumble.
Hudson Valley will play its final conference game of the year at Dean next Saturday, October 28. The game kicks off at 1 p.m.