Vikings drop opener to Nassau 42-13

CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Friday, September 1, 2017

The Hudson Valley Community College football team (0-1) dropped its 2017 season opener at Nassau (1-0) 42-13 on Friday night.

The Vikings struggled early to find their rhythm and fell behind Nassau 14-0 in the first six minutes of the first quarter. Freshman quarterback Wesley Manning and the Vikings offense recovered nicely during their next possession by putting together a 46-yard touchdown drive, which ended with Manning finding John Daly for a 27-yard score.

The Vikings scored again in the third quarter behind the tremendous defensive play by Logan Payne and Michael Cantoni. Payne reached the Lions quarterback to record the sack and a forced fumble, while Cantoni recovered the fumble and took it 76-yards for the score, making it 35-13 Nassau. The defense stood its ground in the second half, only allowing the Lions to score once in the fourth quarter.

Manning finished 16 of 31 for 196 passing yards with one touchdown and six interceptions and Daly caught seven passes for a game high 90 yards and a score. Chris Van Brackle ended a key drive by the Lions (9 plays, 44 yards, 4:51 timed drive) late in the third quarter when he intercepted Nassau's Lavelle Hall on the Vikings six-yard line.

The football team returns to action for its home opener on Sept. 9 when they welcome nationally ranked No. 5 Lackawanna College for a 1 p.m. scheduled kickoff.