CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-629-7898 or 518-416-2137
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, October 26, 2019
Hudson Valley Community College football (4-4) claimed the 2019 NJCAA Region 3 championship on Saturday as they defeated rival Erie 28-13 on the road in Orchard Park, NY.
The Vikings found a rhythm offensively on the game's opening drive as they put together a 7-play, 18-yard scoring drive, which was set up by a 67-yard kickoff return by Hudson Valley's Javon Taylor. Alex Dembroski capped the scoring drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Clayton and put the Vikings up 6-0 (missed extra-point). Dembroski finished with 186 passing yards, three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
Erie took advantage of a Dembroski interception that was deep in their own territory. Erie took over possession at the Vikings 10-yard line and scored one play later. Quarterback Spencer Loftus found Chandler Baker in the back of the end zone for the score and 7-6 advantage.
Hudson Valley responded on their next offensive drive as they put together a 75-yard scoring drive that elapsed 4:09 on the game clock. Following a four-yard loss, the Vikings went over the top of the Katz defense as Dembroski found Kyle Daly for a 40-yard touchdown pass. In an attempt to make up for their missed extra-point, the Vikings successful converted the two-point attempt to go up 14-7 with two minutes remaining in the first quarter. Justin Cepeda scored the two-point score.
The Vikings scored again in the first half as Dembroski connected with Daly again for another score. Daly caught a 15-yard pass for the score and Hudson Valley entered halftime with a 20-10, following an Erie field goal with a minute remaining in the half. Daly had another big day as he finished the game with 117 receiving yards on seven catches and two touchdowns.
Erie had the first possession in the second half and marched down the field, but the Vikings defense limited them to another field goal and held a 20-13 lead.
As the third quarter dwindled to an end, the Vikings managed to put together a quick score, following three straight runs by Desi Floyd. Floyd totaled 29 rushing yards on the drive and Dembroski capped it with a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend Hudson Valley's lead 28-13. Floyd finished the day with his third 100-yard game after rushing for 110 yards on 22 carries.
The Vikings defense shutdown Erie in the fourth quarter and the Vikings offense sucked the clock down to zero as they tallied nearly 11 minutes of possession and earned their fourth win of the year.
Hudson Valley concludes their five-game road trip and finished with a 3-2 record during the span. The Vikings return home this Saturday, Nov. 2 for its Military Appreciation Day and a matchup against Navy Prep. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Outdoor Athletic Complex on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.