CONTACT: Adam Sopris, a.sopris@hvcc.edu, 518-416-2137 or 518-629-7898
FOR RELEASE: Immediate, Sunday, September 1, 2019
The Hudson Valley football program dropped their 2019 season opener 31-27 on the road at Ithaca JV on Sunday afternoon.
Trailing by seven after the first quarter, the Vikings went on a 13-0 run with a combined 16-play, 77-yard drives to eat up a majority of the clock in the second quarter. Hudson Valley got on the board when quarterback John Cothran took a seven-yard draw play to the house.
The Vikings jumped in front when Desi Floyd capped a 10-play drive with a 4-yard run to the left side of the defense for the score. Freshman kicker Robert Goldman connected for the extra point and the Vikings took a 13-7 lead. Floyd has a tremendous game rushing the ball as he finished the game as the Vikings leading rusher with 121 yards on 19 carries. Tahj Snow also had a great rushing game and finished with 82 yards on 16 carries.
Ithaca gained momentum at the end of the first half, which continued into the second half as the Bombers went on to score 24 consecutive points on the Vikings. It all started with a blocked punt, which set up a one-yard touchdown run right before halftime and the Vikings now trailed 14-13.
The Vikings started to make their comeback in the fourth quarter as they were led by quarterback Alex Dembroski. Dembroski connected for two touchdown passes, including a one-play 78-yard score to Melvin Reid, which brought the Vikings within striking distance and trailed Ithaca 31-20 with 9:40 remaining in the game. Reid averaged 20 yards per reception and finished with a team high 160 yards on eight catches.
Dembroski later piloted a 13-play 80-yard scoring drive, which was capped by a 22-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Daly down the left side of the field. The Vikings defense accomplished their goal as Jayon Renfro earned a huge sack on the bombers quarterback to force a punt and give possession back to the offense with 1:14 remaining in the game.
Hudson Valley's defense also recorded three interceptions, including picks on two consecutive Ithaca drives at the end of the second quarter. Anas Nichols, Daniel Slade and Hayden Spock each tallied an interception for the Vikings defense.
Unfortunately, the Vikings late game magic ran out as the Bombers caused a turnover on downs and took over possession with 13 seconds left on the clock and Ithaca went into the victory formation to secure the win.
The Vikings are back in action this Saturday, Sept. 7 as they welcome ASA Brooklyn to Troy, NY. The home opener is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. at the Outdoor Athletic Complex on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.