CONTACT: Justin Hoyt, (518) 629-7898, j.hoyt@hvcc.edu
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Sunday, September 7, 2014
The Hudson Valley Community College football team (1-0) defeated Utica JV (0-1), 23-0, on Sunday afternoon.
The Vikings scored at the end of the half on a fumble recovery by Kai Skuza (Leonardtown/Leonardtown, MD), which he ran in from 14 yards to give them a 7-0 lead at the half. DeAngelo Simpson (Surrattsville/Clinton, MD) came in at quarterback in the third quarter and delivered a 40-yard strike to Chris Osterman (FDR/Poughkeepsie), putting the Vikings up 14-0. Hudson Valley continued to pound Utica on the ground, and Tyler Gagnon (LaSalle/Grafton) punched in a touchdown in the fourth. Gagnon had a big day, rushing for 154 yards and a score, and Osterman led all receivers with 68 yards and a score.
The story on the day was the Vikings defense that only allowed three rushing yards and only 85 total yards. The defense created four turnovers, led by Zach Mallard (Columbia/East Greenbush) with two interceptions. Chandler Foster (Stamford/Stamford, CT) had an interception and Kevin Melder (Eastridge/Rochester) recovered a fumble in a dominating defensive effort. The Vikings also had three sacks led by Tavon Town (Gar-Field/Woodbridge, VA) who recorded two and also forced a fumble. Hudson Valley capped off the performance with a special teams safety, earning their first shutout since the 2012 season. This is the first time the Vikings have started out 1-0 since 2009 when they defeated ASA, 28-19.
The football team travels to Brockport JV next Sunday for a game at 2 p.m.