CONTACT: Justin Hoyt, (518) 629-7898, j.hoyt@hvcc.edu
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Friday, October 3, 2014
The #20 nationally ranked Hudson Valley Community College football team (5-0) defeated East Coast Prep (3-2), 26-20, on Friday afternoon. The Vikings jumped out of the gate with a 14-0 lead at halftime.
Rafael Hidalgo (Brooklyn Lab/Queens) connected with Antoin Montgomery (Bishop Ludden/Syracuse) for a 75-yard strike in the first quarter to put Hudson Valley on the board. Hidalgo hit Walter Ferguson (Merganthaler Vocational/Baltimore City, MD) for a 15-yard touchdown in the second to give them the lead at the half.
East Coast Prep came out in the second half and scored on a 76-yard touchdown. Hidalgo led the team back down the field and scored on a 36-yard touchdown scamper to make it 20-6 heading into the fourth. East Coast Prep answered right back with two scores to tie the game at 20. With 10 minutes left in the fourth on fourth down, Hidalgo hooked up with Montgomery again for a 31-yard touchdown to put the Vikings ahead 26-20. East Coast Prep threatened on a few late possessions, but the Vikings defense held strong.
Ashton McKenzie (Dewitt Clinton/Bronx) paced the defense setting a school-record of 5.5 sacks in a game. McKenzie finished the day with 7.5 tackles for loss and an interception. Kevin Melder (Eastridge/Rochester) led the team with 11 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a forced fumble, and Tavon Town (Gar-Field/Woodbridge, VA) added 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble. All together, the Vikings recorded 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss while only allowing 27 yards on the ground.
Hidalgo had his best game at quarterback throwing for 214 yards and three touchdowns, and also rushed for 53 yards and a touchdown. Montgomery finished the day with five catches, 125 yards and two touchdowns to help lead the Vikings.
The Vikings are off to their best start since 2001, when the Vikings started out 6-0. Hudson Valley travels to Monroe next Saturday for a game at 6:30 p.m.
