CONTACT: Jeff Foley (518) 629-8085 or (518) 373-1262
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, September 22, 2001
http://www.hvcc.edu
Franklin, Mass., September 22, 2001 - Playing at Longley Field against Dean College, Hudson Valley Community College's defensive unit recorded its second shutout of the season and the Vikings captured a decisive 27-7 victory. Dean College, a Northeast Football Conference (NFC) foe, scored on an interception return halfway through the first quarter, but managed just 141 yards of total offense. Led by linebacker Shadee Davis (New Brunswick H.S., NJ), who recorded six solo tackles and two sacks, Hudson Valley allowed Dean to complete just six passes for 43 yards through the air. The Vikings also forced four fumbles.
"We played well and hit 'em hard," said linebacker Gary Smith (Concord H.S., DE), who contributed seven tackles. "This isn't the best we can play, though. I think there's better to come."
The Vikings are now 3-0 overall and 3-0 in NFC play. Dean dropped to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the NFC.
While Hudson Valley's defense gave up just 2.7 yards per play, the Vikings were explosive on offense, particularly in the first half. Justin Kastner (Hudson H.S.), who finished the game with 226 passing yards, threw for 196 yards in the first 30 minutes, helping Hudson Valley open up a 20-7 halftime lead.
"The line played really strong today," said Kastner, who scored on a two-yard scamper and hit Derrick Dyer (John Marshall H.S.) with 10-yard touchdown pass, both in the second quarter. "They gave me a lot of time in the pocket."
Dyer finished with four catches for 84 yards. All-American wide receiver Shawn Miller (Troy H.S.) had seven receptions for 122 yards. He now has 20 receptions for 380 yards and four touchdowns in three games.
Tailback Maceo Clinton (William Floyd H.S.), meanwhile, helped the Vikings chew up the clock in the second half. On the game, he had 23 carries for 110 yards. He also had a 14-yard touchdown run and a 10-yard reception. David Hullum (Garfield H.S., OH) scored Hudson Valley's first touchdown, with 16 seconds left in the first quarter, on a four-yard run.
Hudson Valley plays next at Williams College on Sunday, September 30.
Hudson Valley's football program was established in 1969. At the time, Hudson Valley was one of only two junior colleges in New York to field a varsity football team. Since then, nearly 300 Hudson Valley football players have earned scholarships to four-year schools and 15 have gone on to play professionally. The Vikings competed in the Coca Cola Bowl in Iowa in 1980. In 1996, Hudson Valley posted an 8-0 record, part of a dominant stretch that included 15 straight victories.
