CONTACT: R. Sean Coffey, (518) 629-7898, r.coffey@hvcc.edu
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2010
The Hudson Valley Community College football team (0-3) put forth a valiant effort against Northeast Football Conference rival and NJCAA number-thirteen ranked Lackawanna College, but came up short, 31-17, on Saturday, Sept. 18 in Scranton, PA.
The Vikings got off to a great start as freshman running back Tony Deloatch (Saratoga Springs/ Saratoga) gave the Vikings a 10-7 lead with his five-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. On the ensuing Lackawanna series, outside linebacker Sidiq Soulemana (DeWitt Clinton/ Bronx) picked off an errant Falcon pass and returned it 62 yards for a touchdown, putting the Vikings up 17-7 with little time remaining in the first half. Lackawanna was able to pick up enough yardage to convert a field goal before the half, making the score 17-10.
The second half began with the Falcons driving 80 yards for a game-tying touchdown. The Vikings next drove the ball down to the Lackawanna eight-yard line where they fumbled inside the five-yard line. Lackawanna put together another long drive for a touchdown to take a 24-17 lead. It would be a lead that the Falcons would not relinquish as another late Viking fumble was returned for a touchdown in Hudson Valley's final attempt to tie the contest.
When asked to comment about the game, Hudson Valley head coach, Jason Houghtaling stated, "I've never seen a team play harder than ours did today."
Top performers on the day for the Vikings were Soulemana who had nine solo tackles including one for a loss and the aforementioned "pick-six". Defensive back James Bryant (White Plains/White Plains) also had his first interception of the season. Offensively, running back NyQuan McGirt (Lansingburgh/ Lansingburgh) picked up 68 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Brandon Norman (Pencader Charter/ Bear, DE) was 15-for-22 passing for 122 yards and wide receiver Bernard Antwi (Irvington/ Irvington, NJ) had six catches for 51 yards.
The Vikings will play their third road game in a row as they travel to Dean College on Saturday, Sept. 25.
