Football Rolls to 37-7 Win over Erie

CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu; (518) 416-2137 or (518) 629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, September 28, 2024

The Hudson Valley Community College football team remains unbeaten following its 37-7 road win over Erie Community College on Saturday afternoon in Buffalo, NY.

The nationally ranked Vikings (6-0) handled business in all aspects of the game as the offense tallied 346 yards of total offense with 248 passing yards and 98 rushing yards. The Vikings offense is currently ranked first in the NJCAA in total offense (2,393) and passing yards (1,559)

 The top-ranked Vikings defense has allowed an average of seven points per game through the first six games and held opposing offenses to an average of 131.3 yards per game, also best among NJCAA Division III. The Vikings jumped into the national leaderboard with 10 total interceptions after they snagged three interceptions in today's road win. Brandon Gilliard, Logan Hardt and Eugene Sheppard all grabbed an interception.

Coming off the bench, Dalton Howell (Middletown / Middletown) helped the Vikings overcome a slow start and led the team on a 37-0 run for a convincing win. Howell finished the day with a career-high 218 passing yards on 20-of-31 passing with one touchdown and one interception. Howell found his favorite target, Micah Gates (Lancaster, PA / Hempfield), seven times for 112 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The defense was led by Louis Robinson (Utica / Thomas R. Proctor) and Dominic Jones (Cassville / Mount Markham), who each tallied seven total tackles. On top of the interception, Hardt finished the day with six total tackles with a pass breakup.

The No. 3 ranked Vikings are rolling into its toughest matchup of the season on Thursday, Oct. 10 as they host Sussex at 6 p.m. at the Outdoor Athletic Complex on the campus of HVCC.